Did you know that one in every three Americans suffers from gynecomastia? It’s a condition that causes enlarged or overdeveloped breasts in men. Living with the condition not only inhibits you from wearing fitting t-shirts or polo shirts, but most men with gynecomastia suffer from some degree of low self-esteem. This may prevent you from enjoying some activities like going to the gym or having a fun day at the beach.
There are many treatment options for gynecomastia, but the most prevalent solution is surgery. With the right diagnosis from a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can have surgery done on your man boobs to get rid of them and get your self-confidence back. Here are some necessary tips that will help you prepare before surgery.
1. Get a candid diagnosis.
Before deciding on the surgery, you first have to be examined by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The exam will help you figure out which procedure will best address your condition.
For some men who may have had massive weight loss, the man boobs may be a result of excess skin around the areola, and an areola reduction procedure can easily correct this. Other men who have excess chest fat, which is referred to as pseudogynecomastia, can achieve a smooth flat chest by undergoing liposuction. However, most men have both excess fat and overproduction of breast tissue. This entails a surgical procedure for the excision of breast tissue and the removal of excess fat.
2. Change your lifestyle.
If your condition is as a result of recreational drugs or prescription medication, then you’ll need to stop taking these meds before your surgery. Also, some medicines, like ibuprofen or aspirin, which are known to be anti-inflammatory, are best avoided two weeks to surgery. They can increase bleeding during and after surgery.
If you’re a smoker, it’s advisable you quit smoking a few weeks before your procedure. Smoking slows down your immune system. This also applies to alcohol drinking. It will put you at risk of infection during recovery and slow down your healing process.
Improving your diet and exercise regimen will also improve your overall health and help your skin and tissues be able to fasten the recovery process.
3. Healing after the surgery
If you undergo a gynecomastia surgery or liposuction, you should expect to feel bruised and swollen two weeks after surgery. If you’re well-prepared, you should expect a smooth recovery process.
It’s also advisable to buy a compression shirt which you’ll be wearing after the surgery. It’s recommended you wear it 24/7 for the first three weeks after your surgery and for 12 hours for the next two months. It helps reduce the swelling and helps with achieving the desired results.
Gynecomastia surgery is an essential and safe way of removing excess fats and breast tissue in men. To make sure that the whole surgery runs smoothly with a quick recovery period, follow the tips listed above.
