Gynecomastia Surgery: A Closer Look
Gynecomastia is an unacceptable condition when it comes to bodybuilders. Gynecomastia can develop in bodybuilders for many reasons. Some hormones affecting growth and differentiation of breast tissue are growth hormone, estrogen, androgens, and progesterone. A myriad of other peptides both endogenous and exogenously introduced can contribute to developing this condition. Whatever the cause, the development is analogous to female breast development and the results are devastating. It is unacceptable for a bodybuilder who invests the most time, energy, and money per day of life than any other sport or form of human competition to be hindered by breast tissue development.
Drug based therapy is not a viable solution for gynecomastia in the bodybuilder. Surgery is the only effective means of treating this condition. It is important to note that of the general public gynecomastia patients, 50% are not satisfied with the post-operative outcome, as their aesthetic expectations have not been meet. That being said, what the bodybuilder considers aesthetically acceptable is drastically more demanding than a general patient. One can deduce from this, bodybuilders who do not extensively research for an exceptional, experienced surgeon will likely be disappointed with the results.
Gynecomastia is unacceptable to athletes, recreational bodybuilders, and especially competitive bodybuilders. The staple poses of the competitor are the: quarter turn, front double bicep, front lat spread, abs and thigh, side chest, side tricep, rear double bicep, rear lat spread, and of course most muscular. Competitors suffering from even a mild case of gynecomastia will be most vulnerable in posing the: quarter turn, side chest, and side tricep.
Most Vulnerable Poses
Quarter Turn
Side Chest
Side Tricep
Apex of Aesthetic Points
Contour
A surgery thats primary intention is to remove mammillary glandular tissue will often result in failure. There are several features that demand more attention in catering a corrective surgical protocol to bodybuilders. Bodybuilders obtain an extremely low percent body fat for a duration of time. Percent body fat is inversely proportional to the aesthetic appearance of the gynecomastia present. This is another reason why correcting the condition is required. The musculature of the chest is a focal point in posing and more generally an accented feature on bodybuilders. Breast tissue proceeds to develop as follows: growth and division of ducts, formation of club-shaped terminal end buds, then forming alveolar buds, clusters of buds make up a lobule, lobules differentiate into ductules. This is significant because of the protrusion caused behind the nipple often made more pronounced by adipose tissue behind the gland. The amount of tissue removed will be unique to the severity of each bodybuilder’s condition and physique. Not removing enough tissue results in the failure to meet aesthetic requirements and enables the possibility of further breast development. Removing excess tissue may result in depressions that cannot be acceptably fixed. Achieving a natural contour is key to a successful surgery. Achieving a natural contour will require a plastic surgeon with specialized experience, perfected technique, and skill.
Scars
Scars are unwanted by a general patient and as such are absolutely unacceptable for bodybuilders. Avoiding scars requires delicate cosmetic surgical techniques. A periareolar incision does not rule out the possibility of scaring. A specialized surgeon with experience is key.
Example of Successful Surgical Treatment of Gynecomastia
Post-Operative Photos: 1 Year
Before photo: Bodybuilder with Bilateral symmetric gynecomastia. Post Op Photo: No scarring.
Before photo: 3/4 Turn showing protrusion feminizing chest. Post-Operative Photo: Tight, natural contour with no scarring or depressions.
Gynecomastia Corrective Surgery performed by Dr. Mordcai Blau
Posted in
Bodybuilders Tags:
Bodybuilders,
Gynecomastia,
Gynecomastia Surgery,
Male Breast Reduction
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is enlargement of the male breast. It is important to distinguish the enlargement present in gynecomastia from the adaptive response induced by resistance training (hypertrophy) of the pectoralis muscles. Gynecomastia is firm subareolar tissue and or diffuse fibroglandular tissue aggregating behind the nipple.
Facts about Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is present in 30% to 50% of healthy adult men. There are three times that males are most susceptible to developing gynecomastia. The neonatal period (infant), during puberty, and the age of fifty onward are the most vulnerable to developing the condition. Obesity greatly increases the chances of developing gynecomastia. Other factors that can increase the chances of developing gynecomastia are: genetic predisposition, smoking, drinking, prolonged high stress levels, physical inactivity, and drug use. The potential to develop gynecomastia with any combination of the aforementioned factors is directly proportional to age.
Ultimate cause of Gynecomastia
Males normally possess the equipment (glands + tissue) but lack the means (hormonal profile) to develop breasts. Most cases of gynecomastia result from an imbalance between estrogenic and androgenic effects on breast tissue. Estrogens stimulate breast tissue growth while androgens inhibit it. While there are many mechanisms caused by factors previously mentioned, most of their potential to induce gynecomastia is from ability to disrupt the estrogen / androgen balance present in healthy males.
Significance!
Gynecomastia though not an immediately life threatening condition, can have negative effects on the quality of life of a patent. A male with gynecomastia can experience behavioral health changes serious enough to effects his social, mental, physical and thus overall health. A few examples of this are feelings of anxiety, psychosocial discomfort, and a chronic fear of breast cancer.
Will Gynecomastia naturally go away?
Gynecomastia during the neonatal period normally regresses spontaneously requiring no treatment. Gynecomastia in puberty commonly is asymptomatic and regresses spontaneously. Gynecomastia that has not spontaneously regressed from puberty will likely not do so. The only effective treatment is for this case is surgery. Gynecomastia onset in adulthood from: stress, drugs, refeeding following starvation (prolonged catabolic states), and obesity will likely not regress. Adult onset gynecomastia requires surgery for effective treatment.
Do I have gynecomastia? I have puffy looking nipples…..
It is common that overweight men may feel they have gynecomastia because of the protruding appearance of their nipples and chest area. It is possible that many of these cases are pseudogynecomastia. Pseudogynecomastia results from having excessive body fat. The fatty breasts behind the areola and chest area are swollen adipocytes (fat cells) and are a result of sustained energy input (diet), exceeding output (metabolic demands). Body fat is not site specific and its storage distribution throughout the body varies genetically. Pseudogynecomastia can be treated effectively with exercises and diet. It is important to emphasize that carrying excessive amounts of body fat increases the risk of developing real gynecomastia that is only effectively treated by surgery.
Both Nipples? One Nipple?
Gynecomastia is commonly bilateral and symmetric (both glandular mammilary tissue deposits are of equal size). Gynecomastia can also be unilateral (asymmetric tissue deposits).
Treatment
Surgery is the only effective treatment for gynecomastia that has not spontaneously regresses during puberty or that is adult onset. The surgical method is to remove the glandular tissue through a periareolar incision. A lipectomy may or may not be necessary as determined by the surgeon. The surgical procedure requires skill and experience by the surgeon. Finding the right surgeon will determine the success of the treatment and meeting your personal expectations.
Example # 1 - Mild Case of Gynecomastia
Patient with bilateral symmetric gynecomastia
Surgeon: Dr. Mordcai Blau
Post-Operative Photo: 1 year
Cosmetically: There are no visible scars present from the incisions. The size of both nipples was reduced as a result not being stretched over the breast tissue. The natural contour of the nipples resting on the chest has been restored. There are no protrusions or depressions present in the surgically corrected area.
Example #2 - Severe Case of Gynecomastia
Patient with bilateral symmetric gynecomastia
Surgeon: Dr. Mordcai Blau
Post-Operative Photo: 1 year
Cosmetically: Patient was concerned that scar tissue would be a serious issue with his dark skin complexion. There is no visible scar and his severe case of gynecomastia was corrected, achieving a natural smooth contour of the chest.
Posted in
Adult,
Asymmetric & Unilateral,
Gynecomastia,
Pseudogynecomastia,
Puffy Nipples,
Severe Tags:
Gynecomastia,
Gynecomastia Surgery,
Male Breast Reduction
