Gynecomastia

1. Liposuction for Gynecomastia

Many male patients have excellent outcomes with the use of liposuction, especially in cases for which the primary cause of gynecomastia is excess fatty tissue. The experienced plastic surgeons at Ennis Plastic Surgery are skilled in their ability to contour the shape of the chest through liposuction. The surgeon is able to remove* excess fat and glandular tissue, contouring the chest in a way that looks natural and aesthetically pleasing to the body.

Liposuction is performed under a local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia in order to ensure patient comfort. With liposuction, a small tube is inserted under the skin through small incisions. Typically, incisions are placed on either side of the chest, around the areola, and near the armpit, depending on the specific client needs. Through the incisions, the cannula (small tube) is moved back and forth to loosen the fat tissue. A small vacuum suctions the fat tissue out through the tube, removing it from the body.

2. Tissue Excision:

More significant gynecomastia may require surgical tissue removal for optimal results. Conditions with excess breast skin or glandular tissue may require surgical removal and repair. In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of the male breast tissue can cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola. In this case, repositioning of the areola and removal of excess skin can significantly improve the chest appearance.

With surgical tissue excision, incisions are typically made around the edge of the areola or within the natural chest creases. The surgeons at Ennis Plastic Surgery pride themselves in placing surgical incisions in inconspicuous areas, in order to obtain the most natural looking results. The surgeon removes* the unwanted glandular tissue and excess skin. Then, the incisions are closed to reveal a firmer and more defined chest wall. The surgeon may also include liposuction during this procedure, to address excess fat deposits and further improve the chest contours.

3. Using Technology to Get Rid of Gynecomastia

Energy-based, non-invasive treatments to address gynecomastia are excellent options for men who are looking for a more conservative approach to breast reduction. These treatments are ideal when the primary cause of gynecomastia is excess fat deposits over the breast tissue. Ennis Plastic Surgery offers treatments including UltraShape and VelaShape III for male breast reduction.

UltraShape

UltraShape utilizes focused ultrasound to destroy fat cells and reduce body circumference. The focused sound waves are pulsed into the stored fat cells, mechanically disrupting their cell membranes. When the fat cell membrane is broken via ultrasound, the triglycerides are naturally released and eventually metabolized to the liver. The liver processes these fatty molecules, using them for energy and then eliminating them naturally.

With this process, the fat cells are removed* from the body after the UltraShape treatment. Therefore long lasting results are achieved. The UltraShape treatments are typically delivered once every two weeks to allow the body to naturally eliminate* the destroyed fat cells between sessions. The typical dosing of treatments is three sessions, spaced two weeks apart. One session takes approximately 45 minutes. Measurable results are noticeable after two weeks.

VelaShape III

The VelaShape III treatment is a non-invasive body shaping system that combines three different energy technologies (infrared, heat, and bi-polar radio frequency) with therapeutic massage in order to reshape and contour the body. The treatment is able to combat adipose tissue, by shrinking the size of the fat cells. The radio frequency works below the dermis layer of skin, heating the fatty adipose tissue and shrinking the fat cells. The infrared heat penetrates to the dermis layer, stimulating collagen production. The new collagen production brings about smoother, firmer and tighter skin.

VelaShape III treatments are typically performed once a week, for a minimum of three treatments. The treatment duration can last between 10-40 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. Results can be seen as early as 1 week from the first treatment, but optimal results are obtained after several sessions. Patients are pleased to find that the treatment is pain-free, and it does not require any anesthesia. Patients can expect to experience a gentle, warm heat with a comfortable massage.

Combination of strategies – Surgical & Non-Surgical

For some clients, a combination of liposuction, surgical excision and technology services may be the most appropriate. A one-on-one consultation is the best way to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for each man.