Myths About Gynecomastia You Should Know
As common an experience as gynecomastia in both younger boys and adult men, there isn’t always clear information about the condition, how to treat it, and when you can expect it to go away. Fortunately, efforts by gynecomastia surgeons, including Dr. Miguel Delgado, over the past decade have made their way into a larger conversation about gynecomastia for those struggling with it.
Here are several myths about gynecomastia you may need to be aware of.
Myth 1: Losing Weight Will Get Rid of Gynecomastia
One of the most pervasive myths about male breast tissue growth is that it’s just fat tissue localized under the chest skin, in which case you can “burn it away” with exercise or reduce it with a stricter diet.
However, fat-only gynecomastia, called pseudogynecomastia, represents only a tiny proportion of gynecomastia cases. The other cause of gynecomastia is glandular breast tissue that will not go away with diet or exercise. In fact, getting rid of excess fat often draws additional attention to this glandular tissue in the chest region.
Myth 2: Gynecomastia Will Go Away on Its Own
Because many people with gynecomastia have true gynecomastia or male breast tissue growth with glandular tissue, the appearance of an enlarged chest in adulthood won’t go away on its own. Younger boys – those going through puberty – might experience pseudogynecomastia that might go away within two years of onset symptoms. However, this is not guaranteed. For cases causing moderate to severe distress or sudden changes in lifestyle habits, men of any age can visit a gynecomastia expert to discover their options for treating male breast enlargement.
Myth 3: Gynecomastia Is a Permanent Condition
Breast tissue in men won’t just dissolve and is permanent if untreated. So in many cases, gynecomastia surgery also called male breast reduction surgery, is an effective and long-lasting treatment that provides a more masculine-looking chest.
Surgical techniques for treating gynecomastia vary by surgeon, preference, and type of gynecomastia. Dr. Delgado is a world-recognized specialist in treating gynecomastia with novel approaches for highly natural-looking results.
Myth 4: You Only Need Liposuction to Treat Gynecomastia
Especially for adults with gynecomastia, the breast component can not be successfully treated with minimally invasive liposuction techniques. Liposuction only removes excess fat from the body, not glandular tissue. Surgical removal and restructuring of the chest are necessary for total rejuvenation.
Myth 5: Any Plastic Surgeon can Perform Successful Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Many plastic surgeons offer gynecomastia correction, but few are gynecomastia specialists. First, only some surgeons are board-certified plastic surgeons and must have this designation when looking for a surgical expert.
They will also be explicit in which procedures they specialize in, including female breast surgery, facial surgery, or other forms of plastic surgery that don’t relate to gynecomastia or the male chest. Dr. Delgado is one of a few surgeons in the country to have devoted much of his time and talent to helping gynecomastia patients achieve a chest they feel more confident.
Myth 6: All Gynecomastia is the Same
The age at which a person develops excess breast tissue, lifestyle, and genetics all contribute to how their gynecomastia can and should be treated for the most natural-looking results. Sometimes, drug-induced gynecomastia requires stopping certain medications or illicit drugs. However, not all cases have the same surgical plan when surgery is needed. For example, skin excision is sometimes, but not always necessary, and the extent of each person’s gynecomastia will require more or less extensive procedures.
Schedule a Consultation with an Expert Gynecomastia Surgeon
To learn more about the specific causes or treatments for your unique situation with gynecomastia, don’t hesitate to contact our team today to schedule your first consultation with Dr. Delgado.
