What treatment options are available for gynecomastia?
Liposuction can be used in certain cases, as can be surgery. Dr. Hamed Khan published a letter recently in the British Medical Journal that suggested that 80% of gynecomastia patients can be helped when their estrogen levels are lowered with a drug called Tamoxifen, which is a drug normally used in the treatment of breast cancer.
How many men undergo breast reduction surgery every year in the United States?
Approximately 18,500. The surgeries are far more subtle and humane than they were several decades ago. According to Dr. Rod Rohrich, the President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons “you don’t maim the chest.”
How much does liposuction cost, and how successful is it?
According to Gynecomastia.org, Dr. Rohrich says that 90% of patients enjoy success with ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
How much does breast reduction surgery cost?
Depending on the patient and other factors, costs can range from $6,000 to $7,500, including fees for surgery, anesthesia and miscellaneous costs.
Do insurance companies handle gynecomastia surgery cases?
Generally, no.
Will you need to wear a compression vest after surgery?
A compression vest helps to close up the area where the fatty breast tissue (and glands) are removed, so that the surgical area heals properly. After a patient undergoes surgical intervention, his doctor will likely ask him to wear a compression vest for four to six weeks.
What complications are typical after gynecomastia surgery?
In some cases, fluid can accumulate beneath the skin. Hematomas can also form.
For insight into your Risperdal case, call the Davis & Crump team now at 800-277-0300 or email us at info@daviscrump.com..
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How Johnson & Johnson’s Antipsychotic Sparked a Mini-Epidemic of Gynecomastia,” enter your name and email below.
What Is It Like to Experience Gynecomastia — Before and After
Gynecomastia is a rare condition. Victims often feel isolated and embarrassed. Just the act of hearing about other people’s stories can be healing, since their stories remind other victims that they are not alone and that hope for recovery remains. The following stories, while sad, also highlight the urgency needed to prevent companies like Johnson & Johnson and Janssen from promoting drugs that can cause such side effects:
Torment Finally Ended Thanks to Surgery
“Just completed surgery on ‘medium severity’ male breast enlargement at age 43. Lying here with my compression bandages, I am feeling pretty damn good about life. Here is my story: this issue has caused HUGE damage to my psyche and confidence for the last 35 years. It was first evident when I was 8 years old. I used to be constantly tugging my t-shirt down at junior school. My mother used to complain my shirts were always stretched. I have always avoided swimming. I used to make up excuses when our family went to the pool, so that I could sit in the car and wait for them to return. I even skipped summer camp once, because I knew there would be swimming… Every time I have showered or bathed it has been on my mind. When I lied down in the bath, I always covered my chest with a cloth to keep it out of my mind. I just felt horrible to be shirtless any time. Like some sort of freak. The condition is like a virus that eats your self-consciousness… Before marriage, I can remember a handful of incidents when females would notice the large size of my breasts. I remember each incident as clear as day. They were like knife stabs through my heart. One woman commented ‘mine are bigger than hers’ – ouch! As time passed, I would hide my feelings about my big double Ds, so no one knew about my shame, except when it came to going swimming.” (sourced from Gynecomastia.org 3/31/14)
A Tale of Acceptance
“Heart attack at 37, required to go on disability at 40. Both knees replaced later down the road, major back surgery in 2009… I am coming to terms with having big boobs. I now am 54-years-old and, having gone through plenty of other things (that to me were a lot worse than moobs), I have come to accept them. What I am working on is accepting the use of support for them, at home and in public. Both my wife and I feel acceptance for us is better — more surgeries are out of the question.” (sourced from Gynecomastia.org 3/31/14)
“One of the Best Decisions I Have Made”
“I always played sports… but gyno always held me back a little. Could not wear the stuff I wanted, timid to take my shirt off, etc. I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to say anything to my parents. Eventually did, talked to my family doctor and they confirmed I had mild gyno. I immediately talked to a surgeon and got the surgery done on January 10. Month and a half later, I couldn’t happier (except for scars and some swelling that will get better over time). Already back into my normal workout routine with no pain, wearing what I want, more confident, better posture. Moral of my story, if you are financially able to get the procedure done, do it! Do not be afraid to let someone know you have done some research and want to get your chest checked out. One of the best decisions I have made.”
These different perspectives showcase how different men deal with this condition. For some, the stigma is profound, epic, and long lasting. Others manage to get the surgery (relatively) quickly and recover. Still others come to accept their “moobs” — often with the support of friends and loved ones. There is no one road to Rome, but every path can be fraught and hard to walk.
For insight into your Risperdal case, call the Davis & Crump team now at 800-277-0300 or email us at info@daviscrump.com..