Who Is A Good Candidate For Gynecomastia Surgery?

If you suffer from gynecomastia, have hope and know that you do have options. With the help of a qualified surgeon like Dr Bernard Beldholm FRACS, this debilitating medical condition, can be successfully treated, so that you can resume a normal life. Often referred to as the dreaded “man boobs,” the condition is caused by an imbalance of two very important hormones–estrogen and testosterone. When they are thrown out of whack, it can result in an increase in breast tissue or fat on men. When this happens, it can look as if some males have female breasts. Not surprisingly, for a lot of men, this is a trait they would much rather do without.

Treating The Problem

If you are diagnosed with gynecomastia, you may be a good candidate for male breast reduction. In some instances, the condition can be corrected with non-surgical treatments, such as changing a medication or by medically treating the cause of the abnormal hormone levels. For other men, however, surgery is needed to remove the excess breast tissue.

Gynecomastia surgery removes excess fat and glandular tissue to restore a flatter, firmer and more masculine contour to the chest.

Dr Beldholm performs gynecomastia surgery using VASER liposuction. Using the high definition liposuction technique leads to a reduction in fat and a flatter chest. It is also ideal for men who crave a more chiseled look but have been unable to achieve this in the gym.

The Typical Patient We See

Gynecomastia does not discriminate. It affects both young and old male patients alike. For Dr Beldholm, the three main groups of patients he sees most frequently are:

• Men who have had gynecomastia since they were teenagers. This is usually present on both breasts, and has not changed for many years.
• Bodybuilders who have used anabolic steroids to bulk up. Many have tried oestrogen blocking drugs, but have not been successful in reversing the gynecomastia. Many times the glands are small, but because they are lean, the gland really stands out like a puffy nipple or more obvious lump under the areola.
• Men who suffer from pseudo-gynecomastia. This means that it looks like a man has breasts, but there is no breast gland actually present. This is common in overweight men. Although, technically, this is not gynecomastia, it is easy to treat with liposuction. If there is no breast gland present, then all you need is liposuction to fix the area.

When You Should See Your GP First

Prior to surgery, it’s important to make sure that there are no secondary diseases contributing to the patient’s gynecomastia. Kidney failure, liver failure and cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, Klinefelter’s syndrome, hypogonadism, adrenal and pituitary gland tumors can all contribute to this common medical condition.

If the underlying cause is not treated, the problem can, unfortunately, come back. When you come in for your consultation with Dr Beldholm, he will carefully examine you and tell you if further tests are needed before proceeding with surgery. There are some warning signs that should prompt you to visit with your GP for additional testing. This can include when:

• You have not taken medications or anabolic steroids, and you notice that you have gynaecomastia.
• There is increasing pain in the area.
• There is a discharge from your nipple.
• It involves only one breast.
• It is getting bigger.
• There are color changes to the skin that are new.

When You Should Avoid Surgery

Because no two people are the same, treating gynecomastia will vary from one patient to the next. There are some instances where gynecomastia surgery may not be an option for patients at the time of consultation. Those instances may include:

• Overweight men who have not tried proven weight-loss techniques such as diet and exercise
• Men who are living with an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated or cured first.
• Men who struggle with alcohol or illegal drugs including steroids.

Do I Qualify for Gynecomastia Surgery?

Dr Beldholm only recommends gynecomastia surgery only when it’s the right course of action for his patients. His goal is to help to his patients achieve the results they desire but in a safe manner. You may be a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery if:

• You have tried alternative medical treatments, but they’ve proven ineffective in treating the condition
• You experience discomfort as the breast tissue is tender and sore
• You are physically healthy
• You have realistic expectations
• Your breasts are fully developed
• You are not a smoker or a drug user
• You are able to maintain a stable weight in order to keep up the results of your surgery

Do You Need Our Help?

When choosing a surgeon, it’s important to go with a practice that specialises in gynecomastia surgery. Dr Bernard Beldholm has performed hundreds of gynecomastia surgeries on men. He and his friendly staff are dedicated to helping patients reaching their cosmetic goals. Contact us today to find out we can help you. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, call us at (02) 4934 5700.