DEFINITION
Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of the mammary gland in man. The causes can be varied, and it is the doctor’s duty to investigate them. In some cases, they can be treated from a medical point of view and the gland will return to its initial size, but in other cases, despite a correct diagnosis and treatment, surgical treatment will be necessary to reduce the size.
The most common causes are usually overweight, the consumption of anabolic and toxic substances, as well as some medications or tumors.
Gynecomastia surgery seeks to completely remove the glandular breast tissue and reshape the tissues in such a way that the patient has a more virile and athletic torso.
INDICATIONS
Any male patient who is medically suitable for surgery and who presents an abnormal growth of the mammary gland, after having been correctly diagnosed and treated, leaving no other treatment than surgery.
Generally, patients over 18 years of age are operated on, but in certain cases and depending on the type of psychic affectation of the patient, patients can be operated from the beginning of their pubertal development.
PROCESS
The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia, depending on the case. The most important thing for us is your safety and therefore the anesthetic technique will be chosen based on your case and needs.
The surgery is performed in different ways depending on the case. In mild cases the gland can be removed through a 1 cm incision in the areolar rim (pull-trough technique); in moderate cases (the most common) an incision in the lower edge of the areola is needed; and in cases with large glandular growth in which there is a drop in the breast, a complete mastectomy with graft of the nipple areola complex is necessary.
In most cases, it is complemented with liposculpture of the pectoral area to gain more definition, and sometimes with an increase in fat tissue in the pectoral area to give a more athletic appearance.
RESULTS
The patient achieves a flat torso and if we complement the procedure with definition liposculpture and fat grafts, a more athletic torso with the appearance of working in the gym is being obtained. The results are notable immediately after the intervention.
PROFESSIONALS
Carrying out these types of interventions must be performed by a plastic surgeon with experience in this type of surgery. Dr. Ospina operates cases in his private practice, but also in social security, so he has extensive experience in this type of surgery.
In addition, he is having a special aesthetic point of view, acquired in his extensive training in Colombia, where he has learned that gynecomastia surgery is not only about removing breast tissue, but about creating a masculine and virile torso.
FACILITIES
This type of intervention must be performed in a hospital that meets all health requirements and has an intensive care unit. Cosmetic surgery is a very regulated surgery with fewer complications, but in case they appear, it is essential to have the support of a good hospital. Hence, low-cost surgeries try to save money on this and are performed in small clinics where these safety conditions are not covered.
CARE
Before the intervention, it is important to avoid tobacco consumption four weeks before and not to consume any type of medication without consulting us. You should rest and eat well the days before so that you are the best prepared for the surgery. You should not be very tanned, as it can negatively influence the evolution of the scar.
After your surgery, we will give you all the written instructions regarding medication and care that you should have, as well as what you cannot do. The first days you may notice discomfort, tightness, and some areas with altered sensitivity, but all this will disappear as the days go by. To return to your job it will depend a lot on the type of surgery performed and the job you have. We will discuss it in consultation, and we will indicate the periods.
RECOVERY
Regarding recovery, it takes about two weeks in which all activity that requires effort or driving should be avoided. From there, the activity is reintroduced in a progressive and controlled way. Post-surgical garments should be used in the manner and time indicated to improve the results of your surgery.
COMPLICATIONS
The most common is losing sensitivity in small areas, which tend to recover over the days. Sometimes small sunken areas may remain due to an excessive resection of the gland, a situation that can be easily corrected with fatty grafts later on.
