November 2019 - Krummen Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Gynecomastia: A Complicated Word for a Common Problem

As relevant as terms like gynecomastia may be in the medical field, those who live with this problem aren’t helped by it. You may know gynecomastia better as “man boobs.” Historically, people have gotten a good laugh out of the very idea of a man having breasts. Well, if you are a man living with breast tissue, this is no laughing matter. Gynecomastia may not be a serious risk to general health but it can very much be a risk to optimal emotional wellness.

Why Do Some Men Develop Enlarged Breasts?

Every person has breast tissue. We just never learned that this was common among men. Only women, for the most part, demonstrated “breast tissue.” This is both a muscle mass issue and a hormone issue. Women generally have a higher fat-to-muscle ratio than men. Women also typically have more estrogen than testosterone in their blood. Gynecomastia shows us that this isn’t always true.

Male breasts may be related to weight, but this is relatively uncommon. It is referred to as pseudogynecomastia. True gynecomastia is a physical condition that is often triggered by a hormone imbalance. A man’s estrogen may increase to a point at which it dominates testosterone levels. Genetic factors may be involved. Certain medications may also contribute to this imbalance. And, in some cases, there is no identifiable reason for hormone imbalance. What we do know is that addressing the direct physical problem is much more expeditious in getting results than trying to reduce male breast tissue by balancing hormones.

How Male Breast Reduction Works

Doctors who are trained to perform male breast reduction first conduct a thorough medical history and examination. There are no specific tests or diagnostic imaging that confirm gynecomastia because the signs are quite clear. Depending on the characteristics of enlarged breasts, a plastic surgeon may perform:

Liposuction, which manually removes fatty deposits from the breast area.
Removal of the breast gland, which eliminates puffy nipples.
Breast lift technique to trim excess skin that has stretched with breast enlargement.

Breast reduction is not a procedure we should associate only with women. Men who live with enlarged breasts may suffer tremendously. Reducing breast size restores the shape of the masculine chest, which can then restore the strength of a man’s self-confidence.

Learn more about male breast reduction. Call 513.985.0850 to schedule a consultation in our Cincinnati office.

Problem: Crow’s feet

The Solution: Botox®

Crow’s feet are the tiny lines that develop at the outer corners of the eye. We get them when we laugh or squint, though, when we’re young, we don’t see them when the face is at rest. Botox corrects crow’s feet (and frown lines to boot!) very quickly. After injections, the botulinum ingredient in this medication binds to neuroreceptors in the muscle. This prevents strong movements that cause wrinkles.

Problem: Under Eye Hollows

The Solution: Dermal Fillers

The area around the eyes changes with age. Not only on the superficial plane but all the way down to the bone. The changes that take place can lead to volume loss under the eyes, which often causes hollowing and shadows that look like dark circles. To address this problem takes skill and great care. An experienced provider can select the right dermal filler to restore volume to the dermis so the eyes look fresh and more youthful. In addition to correcting hollowness, dermal fillers are also an excellent solution for minor undereye bags.

Problem: Puffiness

The Solution: Eyelid Surgery

Depending on the severity of undereye bags or a desire for permanent results, some people choose to undergo eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Blepharoplasty is the procedure in which the upper or lower eyelids can be carefully sculpted so tissue is smoother and younger-looking. A board-certified plastic surgeon has the specific training to reposition or remove fatty tissue from the eyelids and trim excess skin to achieve naturally-youthful looking eyes.

The holidays may be right around the corner, but there’s still time to make sure your eyes reflect the real you. To learn more about our eyelid rejuvenation treatments, call 513.985.0850.