Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Gynecomastia FAQ’s

What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the development of abnormally large breast tissue in males. Gynecomastia can result from an imbalance in sex hormones which can be caused by a wide range of conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, certain genetic disorders, steroid use, certain tumours or as a side effect of certain medications. In many cases no known cause is found for the breast enlargement and the condition is then often described as idiopathic gynecomastia.

What should I do if I suspect I am suffering from gynecomastia?
If you think that you may be suffering from gynecomastia, they should consult with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. If the diagnosis is confirmed the physician will then look for any underlying cause for the condition which if found should then be treated appropriately.

Can I have cosmetic surgery to treat gynecomastia?
If an underlying condition is found for the gynecomastia it should firstly be treated. However in many cases no underlying condition is found for the breast enlargement or the underlying cause is treated but then the patient is left with enlarged breasts which although not directly harmful to the patients health can have a massive psychological impact on the patients wellbeing. In such cases plastic surgery can be a suitable solution as it can help reduce and reshape the breasts to give then a more pleasing appearance.

What does breast reduction gynecomastia surgery involve?
The surgery primarily involves the removal of fatty tissue and glandular tissue. The fatty tissue can be removed by liposuction alone, usually ultrasound assisted liposuction. The removal of glandular tissue may involve the usage of a scalpel. Incisions will be made around the breast region to perform the surgery which is usually very inconspicuous. The exact locations of the incisions will depend on the extent of the surgery and if very large amounts of breast tissue need to be removed the surgeon may also have to alter the skin to adjust to the new smaller chest contour. Gynecomastia cosmetic surgery can be performed under both general and local anaesthesia. You should feel free to discuss the procedure in depth with your surgeon who will also take a detailed medically history to ensure there is no underlying condition causing the gynecomastia (breast enlargement) before operating.

Is surgical treatment for gynecomastia covered under medical insurance?
The cost of cosmetic surgery for treating gynecomastia may be covered by medical insurance but policies vary greatly. It is advisable to check in advance whether any surgical treatment for the condition will be provided by your insurer and if this is the case then be sure to get written confirmation of this before your surgery is performed to avoid any problems post surgery.
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