Psuedogynecomastia is one of the most common conditions that is often confused with gynecomastia.
Pseudo-gynecomastia and gynecomastia are closely related. Both involves buildupof tissue in the chest area, causing men to grow big breasts, leading to embarrassment and low self esteem.
The word pseudo-gynecomastia is a combination of two words: pseudo and gynecomastia. Pseudo means false or masking something else.
So pseudo-gynecomastia means false gynecomastia or something that shows itself as gynecomastia but is not gynecomastia.
When affected men find out that they have unusually larger chest mass than their peers or other men of their age and body size and structure, probably the first thing that comes to their mind is gynecomastia.
However, not all breast enlargements in men are caused by excessive breast tissue growth or gynecomastia.
Differences Between Gynecomastia and Pseudo-gynecomastia
One difference between pseudo-gynecomastia and gynecomastia is gynecomastia involves buildup of breasts tissue, while pseudo-gynecomastia has to do with too much fat tissue in the chest area.
Another difference between gynecomastia and pseudo-gynecomastia is that the second is much easier to treat.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is the most common between the two.
It is characterized by the development of male breasts similar to female breasts, caused by the abnormal enlargement of the mammary glands.
There are many factors that can influence the abnormal growth of breasts in males.
Before looking at ways to reduce it, it is vital that you understand what the causes are.
Causes of Gynecomastia in Males
The development of man gynecomastia is typically associated with the testosterone and estrogen imbalance in the male body.
Normally, males produce estrogen in very low quantities (being a hormone prevalent in women).
But with gynecomastia, the body has extremely high levels of estrogen and extremely low levels of testosterone. When this happens, the male breast will enlarge abnormally and even hurt at times.
Gynecomastia can also be caused by certain illnesses like Hypogonadism. Hypogonadism interferes with normal testosterone production, such as Klinefelter syndrome or pituitary insufficiency, can cause gynecomastia.
Lifestyle causes of gynecomastia include taking street drugs and alcohol Substances likeAlcohol, Amphetamines, Marijuana, Heroin, Methadone.
Although gynecomastia often affects teenage boys in their puberty, children and elderly men can also be affected.
Gynecomastia Treatments
Gynecomastia can be treated with surgery, gyno pills and creams and lifestyle changes. Exercise can also assist in getting rid of gynecomastia.
Surgery
Gynecomastia Surgery Risk: Permanent Scarring
Some men opt for surgery to get rid of gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia surgery may be in the form of liposuction , a procedure to remove breast fat but not the tissue of the breast gland itself, or mastectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of the tissue underneath the breast.
Pros and Cons of Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia is a very easy and an instant way to get rid of gynecomastia, but it has its own pros and cons.
One of the biggest benefits of male breast reduction surgery is its permanence. If you suffer from true gynecomastia, which is enlargement of the actual glandular tissue in the breast, this tissue is removed so that it will no longer cause your breasts to look larger than they should.
Other benefits of male boobs reduction surgery includes feeling less awkward or embarrassed about social situations in which you would normally remove your shirt. You can enjoy the pool and the beach again.
In addition, intimate situations will no longer be as intimidating as you have now regained confidence in your body. Read more about gyno surgery here.
Risks associated with gynecomastia surgery
Your decision to undergo plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of gynecomastia surgery are acceptable.
You will be asked by your surgeon to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
Gynecomastia surgery risks include:
- Reactions to tape, suture materials, glues, topical preparations or injected agents
- Risks of Anathestia
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Blood clots
- Breast asymmetry
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent
- Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fatty tissue found in the breast might die (fat necrosis)
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Infection
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Scarring
Gynecomastia Surgery Costs
If you are interested to get rid of gynecomastia through surgery, under normal medical circumstances, you are looking at paying between USD 6000 – 8500 depending upon the facility where the surgery is carried as well as the experience and profile of the surgeon.
Procedure / ServiceCost (Approximate)
Surgeon Fee$ 4000 – $ 4500
Anesthesia$ 1500 – $ 2000
Lab Tests$ 500 – $ 1000
Post-surgery Compression Shirts / Vest$ 100- $ 500
Gynecomastia Surgery Insurance
Almost all health insurance companies consider gynecomastia surgery as cosmetic, so unless an underlying medical condition like a tumor that warrants surgery is identified, your chances of getting your gynecomastia surgery cost covered by your health provider are low.
Gynecomastia Cream and Pills
Gynecomastia can be treated with pills or creams. The pills and creams are an easier, affordable and effective alternative to cosmetic surgery which is very expensive since the enlarged breast is not considered a health threat.
Pills and creams cost much less than surgery and show the same results but with more time.
Another reason for treating gynecomastia with pills or cream is that they are generally made of natural ingredients that tackle the stubborn chest fat that has accumulated around the breasts.
Treating gynecomastia with pills and creams is an obviously pain-free method that does not leave you with scars that surgery may leave.
Gynecomastia pills also raise your testosterone level as a lower testosterone is a major cause of enlarged breast in men.
We however, suggest premium pills like GYNECTROLformulated with top natural ingredients th at not only helps eliminate man boobs and chest fats, but 100% safe – no side effects to users.
What is Pseudogynecomastia
Pseudogynecomastia, on the other hand, may seem very similar to gynecomastia, but in this case, the breast enlargement in men is generally caused by the presence of adipose tissue in excess, rather than by the growth of the glandular tissue.
Simply put, this type of man boobs is usually caused by the buildup of fat around the male breasts.
The best way to eliminate this type of gynecomastia is throughexercise and diet.
Pseudogynecomastia Treatment Options
Proper diagnosis of pseudogynecomastia should be carried out. This is very important to rule out gynecomastia.
When it is clearly identified, there are things you can do to reduce your man boobs significantly. They include;
Diet
To get rid of pseudo-gynecomastia, you need to work on a healthy weight loss plan. Since your male boob is caused by excess fat, you would notice a significant reduction in the size of your boobs as you reduce your weight. Eating the right foods will help you get rid of this problem.
Muscle Building Routine
There are specific exercises routines that can help you burn fat and build muscle especially in the chest area.
Such exercises would help you achieve toned chest and make it firm and flat. Start workouts like push ups, weight lifting to help you tone your chest area.
Pseudo-gynecomastia surgery
This surgical procedure for pseudo-gynecomastia basically entails removing the fatty tissue under the nipple area.
Once you go to the clinic ready for surgery, your surgeon will recommend a suitable surgical technique for you depending on your anatomy, your desired results as well as the surgeon’s preferences.
After giving you a local anesthesia for the purpose of keeping you asleep throughout the entire surgical procedure, your surgeon will make a small elliptical incision on the lower half of your nipple area, which is also commonly referred to as areola.
The surgeon will then remove the fatty tissue under your nipple area with liposuction. In some cases, the surgeon will be required to utilize ultrasound for purposes of assisting liposuction.
During the surgical procedure, the surgeon will insert a small tube into the incision in order to remove the excess fat in your chest.
Risks of Pseudogynecomastia surgery
There are a couple of risks and complications that have been linked with surgery. These risks include among others, excessive bleeding, allergic reaction to anesthesia, irregular contours of the breast and permanent or temporary nerve damage.
Cost of pseudogynecomastia surgery
Basically, there are a number of factors that determine the cost of pseudo-gynecomastia surgery.
For instance, if the procedure is done using state-of-the art facilities, then the cost will be higher than when the surgical procedure is done using traditional facilities.
Also, the cost may vary from one geographical location to the other. For examle, the cost of pseudo-gynecomastia surgery may be quite higher in metropolitan areas than in rural settings, thanks to the fact that demand for pseudo-gynecomastia surgery is higher in urban areas than it is in rural areas.
The choice of the surgeon is another factor that can influence the cost of pseudo-gynecomastia surgery.
For instance, if a surgeon is reputed with providing quality treatment services and also has vast experience under their belt, then it is apparent that the surgeon will charge more than their counterpart who is starting their career and has no experience at all.
Pseudogynecomastia Surgery Insurance
If you are going for surgery, note that virtually all health insurance companies out don’t cover pseudogynecomastia surgery because they consider it cosmetic unless it has been recommended due to an underlying medical condition such as a tumor.
Pseudogynecomastia Surgery Cost
Basically, the cost of pseudogynecomastia surgery include surgery fee, anesthesia, post-surgery compression vest and facility cost.
The average cost of surgery can fall anywhere between $5,000 – to 8,000 and above.
Preparing For Surgery
If you have opted for surgery to treat your gynecomastia or Pseudogynecomastia, you may be asked to do the following:
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
The success and safety of your surgery procedure depends very much on your complete candidness with your surgeon during your consultation.
You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle and you really need to be very honest. Do not hide anything about your health from your surgeon.
Your male breast reduction surgery may be performed in an accredited, office-based surgical facility, licensed ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.
Make sure you arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Who Should Go For Gynecomastia Surgery
Men who can undergo gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia are:
- Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
- Healthy men who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Non-smokers and non-drug users
- Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia
- Men who are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
- Men who have realistic expectations
- Men whose breast development has stabilized
- Men who are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large
Adolescent boys may also benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future if breast development continues.
Gynecomastia surgery recovery
During your gynecomastia surgery recovery period, dressings or bandages will be applied to your incisions and an elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals after the surgery.
A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
You will be given specific instructions by your surgeon that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
What To Expect After Your Male Boobs Reduction Surgery
Male boobs reduction surgery results are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.
Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from the surgery.
The final results of your male boobs reduction surgery will appear over the next few months after the surgery. Incision lines are permanent, but they will continue to fade over time.
Any surgical treatment to correct gynecomastia or pseudo-gynecomastia will require incisions.
While most incision lines are concealed within natural contours, some may be visible and are a necessary result of male breast reduction surgery.
Your gynecomastia surgery scars are permanent, even though some may be concealed in the natural contours of the breast.
Your now improved upper body will likely enhance your self-image and confidence, whether when you are in a shirt and tie, a t-shirt, or when you are baring your chest at the beach.
The practice of medicine or surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected from your male boobs reduction surgery, there is no guarantee.
In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure to treat gynecomastia.
Another surgery may be necessary to perform additional tightening or repositioning of the breasts or to treat any complications that may occur.
