Gynecomastia is an aesthetic problem characterised by the growth of breast tissue in men. It is a condition where growth is seen in breast tissue, and is usually accompanied by an increase in fatty tissue. Another presentation of gynecomastia is pseudogynecomastia, which is usually characterized by an increase only adipose in tissue in the male breast.

Gynecomastia is particularly seen in the following three stages of a male’s life:

Apart from these, the most significant cause of this condition nowadays is the accumulation of fatty adipose tissue in the breasts due to being overweight, leading to the appearance of gynecomastia.

While intake of certain drugs, genetic factors, advancing age and chromosomal diseases can be rated among the causes of gynecomastia, the most common cause today is being overweight. The nutritional habits and lifestyle brought by modern life have increased the number of people diagnosed with gynecomastia.

Individuals with certain chromosomal diseases are at particular risk for gynecomastia. Apart from these diseases, every man who has an unhealthy diet and adopts a sedentary lifestyle is at risk for gynecomastia.

The main symptom of gynecomastia is palpable swelling under the nipple and enlargement of the breasts accompanied by fat deposition. In order diagnose gynecomastia, this growth must have lasted for more than 1 year. In male teenagers hitting adolescence, palpable swelling may occur under the nipple, but this swelling usually softens and disappears over time. In some patients, gynecomastia can be accompanied by enlargement of the brown area around the nipple, which we call the areola. This enlargement gives the breast a feminine appearance. Along with enlargement of the breast, enlargement of the areola is another cause of disturbance to patients.

Most patients with gynecomastia who come to see us, complain of visible breast enlargement. Alot of these patients also have increased fat deposition in their abdomen and waist. A breast ultrasound may be used to diagnose gynecomastia. Breast ultrasound can easily visualise the tissue content of the breast. Breast ultrasounds usually show an increase in both breast tissue and adipose tissue.

Gynecomastia treatment options can be classified into two groups namely surgical gynecomastia treatment and liposuction. Even in surgical gynecomastia treatment, liposuction is an integral part of the procedure achieving best results. Vaser liposuction is the primary choice for Aventus in treating all kinds of gynecomastia, especially when treating gynecomastia rich in adipose tissue.

Vaser techniques have excellent effectiveness in gynecomastia treatment. Vaser is effective for both adipose tissue and breast tissue in gynecomastia patients. While Vaser melts and liquefies fat tissue, it also breaks down the breast tissue and allows it to be easily removed by liposuction. We prefer power assisted liposuction (Microaire) to remove breast and adipose tissue liquefied with Vaser. In this way, we aim to obtain surgical results comparable to weight loss, without any irregularity. After having treated the patient with Vaser and Microaire, we check whether there is any excess skin. If we assess that the patient will have excess skin, we use J plasma to assist with skin tightening.

J plasma is a technology that has helped us to considerably reduce skin removal procedures, notably in gynecomastia. In most patients, excess skin can be treated with J plasma and very good results are obtained.

The combined use of Vaser, Microaire and J plasma has become the gold standard for Aventus in the gynecomastia procedure. The combination of these three techniques is used in almost all premium facilities across the world.

Gynecomastia is an procedure that takes 1.5 hours and is performed under twilight sedation or general anaesthesia. The procedure is started with anaesthetic fluid inserted into the breast area to reduce bleeding and pain. This liquid facilitates the melting of fat in the breast area during Vaser application. Melted fat and breast tissue are then removed by power assisted liposuction. Any remaining palpable breast tissue under the nipple is removed through a half-moon incision around the nipple. Afterwards, J plasma is applied to tighten the skin.

An exception to this surgical method is the gynecomastia procedure performed on patients who have lost alot of weight by their own efforts or as a result of a gastric bypass procedure, in which case the remaining breast tissue and excess skin are removed surgically.

After the procedure, the incision is closed in such a way that will leave a scar only under the patient’s breast. The gynecomastia procedure can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures used for male body shaping. At the end of the procedure, shapewear is put on the patient which they are advised to wear for 6 weeks postop. Patients can return to their normal life within 1 week at the latest.

Patients can go home or to their hotel the day of the procedure. We advise patients not to use their arms too much for the first few days after the procedure. Heavy use of the arms shortly after the procedure can both increase pain and cause bleeding in the breast area. We recommend you wear the garment for 6 weeks post-op, at which time we will schedule the 6 week follow up.

If caused only by hormonal factors, drug intake or any other evident underlying cause, gynecomastia can subside or even fade away completely if that cause is eliminated. Likewise, if being overweight is the only cause of gynecomastia, it may subside or even completely fade away in some patients after weight loss. In all other cases, this procedure is usually required to treat gynecomastia.

If the underlying cause of gynecomastia is being overweight, the breasts will continue to grow as the patient continues to gain weight. There is no definite limit to it. Stretch marks may occur, especially in rapidly occurring gynecomastia. These stretch marks can cause the skin to sag after weight loss. Even though the breast shrinks in volume, sagging is inevitable due to excess skin and patients will still need a procedure to correct it. In cases like this, patients must be careful from the moment they start gaining weight and reduce their weight gain as much as possible. If at that stage no stretch marks have occurred and the quality of skin has not deteriorated, gynecomastia can be eliminated with liposuction with minimal scarring.

In gynecomastia procedures performed for aesthetic purposes, patients must be over the age of 18. Gynecomastia should have been present for a minimum of one year.

Older liposuction methods can be used in gynecomastia procedures as well. However, Vaser liposuction is much more effective for gynecomastia. The first procedure for which Vaser was approved was the gynecomastia procedure. Very satisfying results are obtained in gynecomastia procedures performed with Vaser liposuction.

Gynecomastia occurs usually due to adiposity and is in most cases accompanied by increased fat deposition in other areas of the male body. These are typically around the abdomen. Therefore, gynecomastia procedures are often performed in combination with the Vaser liposuction procedure on the abdomen and waist region. Nowadays, there is an increasing number of patients who want body contouring with high-def ( high definition) liposuction to be performed together with gynecomastia treatment. In these patients, the liposuction procedure can be performed on gynecomastia, the waist and abdomen. A more muscular appearance can be given to the abdominal region with a "six-pack" procedure. Also, fat injection can be applied to the shoulders and arms for a muscular appearance.

Another option is to create a muscular chest through fat injection into the chest muscle in the same session as gynecomastia treatment, creating the appearance of larger pectoral muscles. Given today’s changing body perceptions, all these procedures can be done in a single session for full body contouring.

If the patient’s breast enlargement is rather minor and if the area to be treated is not too large, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia. General anesthesia or twilight sedation is preferred in all other cases or in combined pocedures involving other body parts.

Patients are advised to wear shapewear (compression garments) for 6 weeks after this procedure. Shapewear not only prevents the accumulation of blood and body fluids in the site of the procedure, but also facilitates the skin’s adaptation to underlying tissues. Shapewear should be worn as continuously as possible, especially during the first 2-3 weeks, while in the following 3 weeks, shapewear can be worn only while sleeping.

Patients can take a bath/shower 2 days after procedure. They need to take off their shapewear before taking a bath or shower and put it back on afterwards with minimal delay.

The procedure can be done in any season. What patients might consider there is the requirement to wear shapewear after the procedure, which can be uncomfortable for patients if the weather is very hot.

Patients can start exercises that doesn't involve their arms 2 weeks after the procedure. They need to wait about 6 weeks before they can start doing sports without restriction.

This is not a very painful procedure. Male patients do not experience much pain after liposuction, so patients can move easily after the procedure. Patients are advised to take things slow and easy for about a week, which means that they can return to normal life 1 week after the procedure. Patients may experience pain in the chest area if they use their arms too much in the first 2 or 3 weeks after they return to normal life. The gynecomastia procedure does not cause much restriction in the lives of patients apart from this.

Breasts will not grow back as long as patients can maintain their current weight. However, if the patient gains weight, there may be an increase in adipose tissue and the breasts may grow back, in which case patients may need to be operated on again. It should be noted that procedures done for a second or third time may be more challenging and painful than the first one, which is why I try to explain to my patients in as much detail as possible everything they should pay attention to after their first procedure.

Since the gynecomastia procedure is a type of cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by insurance in most cases. Please discuss with your doctor as this may vary country to country.

The gynecomastia procedure cost may vary according to the surgical techniques being applied and if there are other concurrent procedures to be performed.

You can contact us immediately to get information about Gynecomastia Prices.