GYNECOMASTIA TREATMENT IN PARIS
Gynecomastia is a condition affecting men. It is characterized by a protuberance on the nipples and breasts. An operation can remove this glandular excess, which can cause real discomfort.
- The gynecomastia corresponds to an abnormal development of the mammary gland in men, often appearing at the time of puberty and sometimes unilateral. It can be adipose, glandular or mixed.
- Before any surgery, a hormone test and ultrasound scan are essential to distinguish an idiopathic cause from a secondary one (drugs, endocrine disorders, etc.).
- The surgical treatment varies according to type: liposuction alone for the adipose form, or glandular removal (with incision under the nipple) for mixed or glandular forms, sometimes supplemented by a lifting “round block”.
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, lasts 1 to 2 hours, with the wearing of a compression garment for 6 weeks. Le final result is visible after 2 to 3 months, the time it takes for the swelling to disappear.
- The covered by Social Security is only possible for gynecomastia glandular confirmed on ultrasound; purely fatty forms are the responsibility of the non-reimbursed cosmetic surgery.
WHO SHOULD UNDERGO GYNECOMASTIA TREATMENT?
Gynecomastia is a condition affecting men, which consists of a abnormal development of the chest. It most often appears during puberty. A glandular nucleus forms behind the nipple. This nucleus may reabsorb during adolescence.
If the glandular nucleus persists, we speak of gynecomastia.
There are 3 types of gynecomastia:
- Adipose: made up entirely of fat; ;
- Glandular: made up mainly of glands; ;
- Mixed: adipose and glandular.
Some men suffer from unilateral gynecomastia. In this case abnormal gland of only one of the two breasts.
The gynecomastia treatment is performed by a plastic surgeon. We also talk about cosmetic surgery male mammary glands.
Surgery is not always necessary. Sometimes a hormone treatment may be enough. Talk to your doctor.
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
The surgical treatment of gynecomastia is a common surgical procedure.
Depending on the type of gynecomastia (glandular or adipose), the surgical technique is different.
A liposuction alone can treat adipose gynecomastia.
If the patient also has excess skin after liposuction, it may be necessary to remove the excess skin. This is achieved with a facelift. In most cases, the lift creates a scar around the nipple that is virtually invisible. This complementary procedure is known as a «round block».
If there is a glandular nucleus, it is then necessary to perform an additional procedure to remove the gland.
Removal involves an incision, usually made under the nipple. The gynecomastia cure consists in performing an incision under the nipple. removal of the mammary gland.
In the second part of the procedure, excess skin is removed by means of a facelift. Finally, liposuction of the breasts is often necessary. This helps to harmonize the result.
Surgery takes one to two hours depending on the surgical procedures performed.
Patients can be discharged the same day (ambulatory surgery) or the following day.
IN PRACTICE
Pre-operative consultation
The first consultation for gynecomastia ensures that the gynecomastia is idiopathic. Idiopathic gynecomastia is gynecomastia due to natural causes. L’breast enlargement is not due to a secondary cause (medication, cancer, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, certain hyperthyroidisms...).
The doctor prescribes a hormonal biology test and a breast ultrasound.
Ultrasound can be used to determine the fatty or glandular component of gynecomastia.
The surgeon may request a endocrine assessment to complete the analyses.
The second consultation is used to schedule surgery at the clinic. Photographs are taken to evaluate the result before and after surgery.
The operation and its aftermath
Thesurgical operation is carried out under general anesthesia.
Depending on the procedure performed, it lasts between 1 and 2 hours.
At the end of the procedure, a compression bandage is installed.
You can leave on the same day or the following day.
A compression garment should be worn for around 6 weeks.
Scar care is relatively straightforward, and healing is achieved in around 3 weeks.
Showers can be taken the following day.
A work stoppage of 10 to 15 days can be considered if covered by Social Security and mutual insurance.
The final result can be observed 2 to 3 months after surgery. This is necessary for the edema (swelling) to disappear and for the skin to tighten to adapt to the new pectoral shape.
Gynecomastia Correction
Your Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GYNECOMASTIA
WHAT IS IDIOPATHIC GYNECOMASTIA?
Gynecomastia is said to be idiopathic when there is no causal factor responsible for the increase in breast volume.
The most common secondary causes of gynecomastia are :
- Metabolic or endocrine ;
- Linked to a medical treatment ;
- Cancerous (rarely).
Before proceeding with a gynecomastia cure, all these potential causes must be eliminated.
The treatment of secondary gynecomastia is that of its cause (treatment of the disease, discontinuation of the treatments responsible, etc.).
Bilateral gynecomastia (on both breasts), which appears in adolescence, is most often idiopathic.
WHAT ARE THE SCARS FROM GYNECOMASTIA TREATMENT?
Scarring depends on the technique used.
In the case of adipose gynecomastia with simple liposuction, only small scars are required (around 4 mm). These are due to the incisions used to insert the liposuction cannulas.
If excess glandular tissue needs to be removed, an inferior hemi-areolar scar (under the nipple) is unavoidable.
If it is necessary to remove some skin to secure the nipple, the surgeon can create a scar. around the areola.
If the excess skin is very large, a horizontal scar under the breast may be necessary.
Scars around the nipple and under the nipple are generally inconspicuous or even invisible.
IS GYNECOMASTIA COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY?
Some patients are covered by Social Security, others are not.
In case of glandular gynecomastia (glandular nucleus on mammary ultrasound), a coverage is possible.
In the case of covered surgery, the patient pays the surgeon's and anesthetist's fees. These fees are partially covered by mutual insurance companies.
Unfortunately, if the gynecomastia is solely fatty, it falls into the category of plastic surgerywhich is not covered.
HOW MUCH DOES A GYNECOMASTIA TREATMENT COST?
The price depends on :
- Whether or not the procedure is covered;
- The technique used.
Indeed, depending on the surgical technique(s) used, the operating time will vary. The longer the operation, the higher the price.
A simple liposuction will be less expensive than a liposuction with removal of the mammary gland and round-block.
DOES THE SHAPE OF THE AREOLA CHANGE AFTER GYNECOMASTIA?
The areolas are often enlarged by gynecomastia.
In the case of liposuction alone, there will be little or no change in the shape of the areolas.
On the other hand, if a round-block is performed, the shape of the nipples may be altered. In most cases, their size is reduced.
It should also be noted that post-operative sensitivity disorders may appear. Usually, these symptoms disappear after a few days. If this is not the case, discuss it with your surgeon.
Dr. Jérémy Djian is a plastic surgeon based at 5 Square Thiers, near the Victor Hugo roundabout in Paris's 16th arrondissement.
He trained in Paris and remains affiliated with the hospital in the prestigious department headed by Prof. Laurent Lantieri.
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