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FAQ
1. What is
Gynaecomastia?
All males have a tiny disc of
breast tissue just underneath the nipple. However at the age of
around 12, some may experience enlargement of breast tissue and
this is called Gynaecomastia. This can resolve in approximately
2 years time in most of the individuals. If this enlargement of
breast persists beyond 14 years of age it is permanent.
2. What
causes Gynaecomastia?
Majority of the time the cause is
not known and very rarely it is due to hormonal imbalance.
3. What if
it is left untreated?
If Gynaecomastia persists beyond
14 years of age it is permanent and will not go away on its own.
It will probably get bigger with time. However it is not harmful
to your health.
4. Do I need
treatment?
Most individuals dislike the
appearance. The common complaint is embarrassment in exposing
the chest during swimming etc or wearing a fitting T-shirt and
generally being conscious of the appearance.
For this reason one should seek
treatment.
5. What are
the treatment options?
Surgery is the only treatment
available. There is no medicine or local creams or gels which
can reduce the size of the enlarged breast tissue.
6. What
surgery is done for Gynaecomastia?
I almost always do combination of
excision of enlarged gland and liposuction of adjoining fat to
give a well contoured chest.
7. Is it
possible to remove Gynaecomastia by liposuction alone?
The gland is made of tough tissue
which is not fat. So no matter which type of liposuction
(conventional/power/vaser/or ultrasonic liposuction) is used,
one cannot remove the gland by liposuction alone. Surgical
excision is almost always needed.
7. What
anesthesia is given?
General anesthesia (you will be
put to sleep) is given.
8. What
incision is used?
The cut is made around the lower
1/2 of the nipple at its junction with the skin.The same cut is
used for removing the gland and for liposuction. The cut is
closed with dissolving stitches and it does not leave any
visible mark.
9. How long
does the operation last?
It varies from 2 to 3 hours.
10. What is
the recovery period like?
You might experience some
discomfort after the operation but this will be well controlled
by pain killers.
There might be a thin plastic
drain tube on either side (to drain out any fluid from the
operation site) which is removed in 1 or 2 days. There will be a
padded dressing on the chest and a corset (which is placed at
the end of operation).
Duration of stay in the hospital
will be for 1 or 2 days.
You will need to take antibiotic
and pain killer for 5 days.
11. When can
I resume work?
You will be up and about within 24
hours. Light activity (like going to the office) can be resumed
within 1 week time. Heavy activity like gym and swimming can be
started after 4 weeks.
12. How long
do I need to wear the corset?
You need to wear it for 4 to 6
weeks and it can be easily worn under your regular clothing.
13. Are
there any side effects?
You can get swelling and bruising
on the chest which goes away in approximately 2 weeks.
14. What is
the result?
Majority of the patient will get a
well contoured chest with return to full normal lifestyle.
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