Gynecomastia sufferers have a number of options when it comes to treatment. For some, particularly teens and pre-teens, just letting the right amount of time pass, is enough to rid themselves of the condition. For others there are exercises that can help decrease the symptoms and for others surgery is the only option. Here is a look at some of the treatments out there and how they might make you feel as a patient with gynecomastia
Gynecomastia Compression Shirt
Compression shirts are a popular choice for sufferers of gynecomastia. Compared to surgery they are a lot less painful and inexpensive and relative to drug treatments, they are a lot easier on your body in that there are no drug related side effects.
The results are fast. As soon as you wear it, you see the results. The shirts hold your body in place and make the chest area appear taught and fit. Your chest looks a lot more like it has pec’s than breasts.
You can wear them under your t-shirts, or to work out. If you are going to the beach or the swimming pool, the compression shirt is probably not the best option. But there are some that you can wear into the water, so if you are looking for swimwear, be sure you check the labels to see if the top is waterproof.
Tops come in various styles, like tanks or tees. They also vary in the amount they compress your skin. It’s best to try a few different brands and see what works best for you. For example, some of the tanks have low cut armholes and can cause the skin at the edge of the seem to appear as thought it’s bulging out. So the higher cut the tank at the armhole, the lower the chance of the fat bulging from it. These are things that will vary for each individual. Be sure to try as many as you can before you commit to a particular brand.
Gynecomastia Bra’s are really just compression vests.
The idea that a man would have to wear a bra, due to enlarged breasts that he does not want to have, is daunting and hard to wrap ones heads around. The shame associated with gynecomastia for sufferers is very real and a lot of times they might avoid looking for a product because it has been referred to as a ‘bra.’ There is some good news in all of this. What a lot of people refer to as gynecomastia bra’s are really just compression vests. They are products that hold the chest area together in a way that minimize the look of breasts.
Compression garments can be worn on their own, or while a patient takes drugs as a means of rectifying their condition. They are also worn post surgery to keep muscles and tissue in place according to doctors instructions.
Gynecomastia Exercises
Diet and exercise is an important component to work into any lifestyle. Our body’s need to stay fit and agile and diet and exercise will lead to the prevention of many health problems. So whether you are doing it as part of a plan to rid your body of gynecomastia or not, diet and exercise needs to be taken seriously.
It’s important to note that weight gain can be the cause of gynecomastia but it is not the only cause. If your symptoms are not caused by weight gain, then no amount of diet and exercise will rid you of the problem.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are due to weight gain or hormonal imbalance, it is a good idea to start a weight loss regime and with the right amount of diet and exercise bring yourself to a healthy weight. If you find that you still have symptoms and the ‘man boobs’ are just not going away, then it might be a good idea to consult your doctor about hormone therapy or possibly surgery.
Gynecomastia Post Surgery
After surgery, you will be ordered to rest but do so with your head up and do not ever bend over in the first few days after surgery. It will be a most painful experience if you do.
There is a substantial amount of bruising and swelling that takes place after a male has had breast reduction due to gynecomastia.
Bruising can be limited to the breast area or can appear across the chest and abdomen area also. Usually, the bruising starts in a red or purple color and gets a little worse in the first 48 hours. After the second or third day the bruising starts to get better. It goes from a purple-ish color to a greeny-yellow-ish tint before it goes away completely. It can take up to a month for the bruising to go away completely, but the bulk of it usually dies down in the first ten days.
The chest area will obviously be swollen after a breast reduction. Your doctor can prescribe certain compression garments to be worn to assist with the swelling. Taking in a low sodium diet can also assist minimize the swelling.
You will have had incisions in your chest and for a while there will be fluid seeping out of the incisions. Make sure you follow your doctors instructions in regard to changing the dressing to aid in healing the area as fast as possible.
Try and relax. You may not be able to work for up to eight weeks after your surgery. So make sure that you have enough time carved out to rest and slowly get back into your routine by taking short walks at first around the house and then building up your movement as suggested by your doctor. Other than walking, do not exercise at all until cleared by your doctor (usually patients can ease into their exercise routine at the six to eight week mark).
Your doctor will have prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxers to best suit your bodies needs. Do take them as prescribed.
Be sure to stay out of the sun after surgery. Your skin will be most sensitive and sunburn would not be a welcome addition to the healing process.
Gynecomastia Surgery Side Effects
As with any surgery there are risks and possible side effects. General anesthesia always has risks and those should be taken seriously. If your doctor believes you are not well enough to undergo a general anesthetic then surgery may not be the best option for you.
Some patients have problems with scarring and excessive bleeding. Others are not happy with the results either because one breast looks different to the other or they are not happy with the amount of reduction they were able to obtain. Either way, this may mean a revision surgery will be necessary.
As mentioned above, patients should stay out of the sun post surgery. This is primarily to avoid complications with pigmentation.
