Gynaecomastia Treatment in Berlin for Greater Confidence
Gynaecomastia is an enlargement of the male breast gland. It is a common condition and is rarely associated with health problems, but it can cause considerable distress. Self-esteem and a man’s sense of masculinity may be significantly affected. Gynaecomastia can occur at any stage of life, although it is particularly common during puberty and in later life. Many men try to reduce its appearance through intensive exercise.
Gynaecomastia usually requires treatment only if the enlarged breast causes personal distress. Surgical treatment involves removing excess glandular tissue and fat. Hormonal treatment without surgery is an option only at a very early stage; it does not reduce the existing breast enlargement, but may help prevent further growth.
At my specialist practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery, I, Dottore Caletti, offer surgical treatment for gynaecomastia in Berlin. In addition to removing excess glandular tissue, I may perform liposuction where appropriate. A carefully planned gynaecomastia procedure can restore a more masculine chest contour and often provide a significant improvement in quality of life.
Are you looking for a specialist practice in Berlin offering professional treatment for gynaecomastia with long-lasting results? I would be pleased to welcome you for a consultation.
- Procedure time
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthesia or, where appropriate, local anaesthesia
- Hospital stay
- Outpatient procedure, with an optional overnight stay
- Return to work
- Within one week, depending on the physical demands of your work
- Exercise
- After six weeks
- Wound healing
- Approximately 14 days
- Cost
- From €3,000
- Aftercare
- Sleep with your upper body elevated for the first few days, shower after two days, wear a compression garment for four weeks and refrain from exercise
Your gynaecomastia treatment takes place at my practice in Berlin. Before surgery, I assess the extent and nature of the breast enlargement and use these findings to plan the most appropriate surgical approach. An anaesthetist will prepare you for either general or local anaesthesia, depending on your individual diagnosis. Local anaesthesia may be suitable for less extensive procedures. I perform the operation with the aim of minimising tissue trauma and visible scarring. A small incision is made along the edge of the areola to remove the glandular tissue. If there is considerable excess skin, this may also be removed to create a lasting, well-defined chest contour. Liposuction may be performed where required, sometimes through an additional incision at the lower edge of the areola. When liposuction is the principal part of the procedure, separate skin tightening can often be avoided, as liposuction may also encourage a degree of tissue and skin contraction.
Gynaecomastia surgery is generally considered a low-risk procedure. However, as with any operation, risks and unwanted side effects cannot be ruled out entirely. These may include bleeding, pronounced bruising, adverse reactions to medication or delayed wound healing. As an experienced specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, I take careful precautions before and during the operation to minimise these risks. To help prevent complications, you should stop taking blood-thinning medication one week before surgery, but only after consulting the prescribing doctor. You should avoid alcohol and nicotine during this period and for the first two weeks after the operation, or reduce your consumption as far as possible. Following my personalised aftercare instructions will help support an uncomplicated recovery.
You should wear a compression garment continuously for the first four weeks after surgery. It is fitted immediately after the procedure and applies controlled pressure to support healing and reduce swelling. Physical rest is important during the first few days, and you should sleep with your upper body slightly elevated. Regular cooling can help reduce swelling and bruising, but cooling pads should not come into direct contact with the nipples. You can usually shower again after three to five days. Most patients can return to work within one week, depending on the physical demands of their occupation. Exercise, saunas and strenuous physical activity should be avoided for six weeks. Initial wound healing generally takes around 14 days. From this point, you may begin scar care using massage, creams and silicone tape as advised. For the following six months, protect the scars from strong sunlight or use a high-factor sunscreen to reduce the risk of unwanted pigmentation. If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact my Berlin practice at any time. I will be pleased to advise you personally.
Gynaecomastia Surgery – Improving Quality of Life
If the size or shape of your chest causes you distress, gynaecomastia surgery can create a more masculine contour with long-lasting results. In most cases, the outcome is enduring, allowing you to feel more comfortable and confident in your body. The procedure brings the chest into better proportion with the rest of your physique.
You do not have to continue living with the distress caused by gynaecomastia. At my Berlin practice, I provide personalised treatment designed to improve your chest contour, self-confidence and quality of life.
What Is Gynaecomastia?
Men have breast glands just as women do; anatomically, there is relatively little difference between them, although male breast tissue is normally much less developed. The term gynaecomastia derives from the ancient Greek words gyne, meaning woman, and mastos, meaning breast. It describes enlargement of the male breast gland beyond what is generally considered normal.
Doctors distinguish between true gynaecomastia and pseudogynaecomastia. Pseudogynaecomastia occurs when the enlargement is not caused by growth of the glandular tissue, but by excess weight and fatty deposits alone. It is also known as lipomastia. In true gynaecomastia, by contrast, the volume of glandular tissue increases. This may be caused by hormonal changes or occur as a side effect of medication. Examples include finasteride, which is used to treat prostate conditions and hair loss, and certain diuretics. In approximately 50 per cent of cases, no clear cause can be identified.
True gynaecomastia can have a number of underlying causes. In children, adolescents and older men, it may result from normal physiological processes associated with hormone levels at the relevant stage of life. In younger people, it is usually temporary. Where true gynaecomastia is not physiological, an imbalance between male and female hormones may be involved, with various possible causes. The condition may affect one or both sides of the chest.
Medically, gynaecomastia is divided into three grades. Grade I describes a small and generally inconspicuous enlargement. In Grade II, the enlarged breast is more noticeable to others. Grade III is characterised by pronounced enlargement, including the development of a fold beneath the breast.
What Results Can Gynaecomastia Surgery Achieve?
Gynaecomastia surgery removes excess glandular tissue and fat, as well as excess skin where necessary. This restores a more natural, masculine chest shape and brings its contour into better proportion with the rest of the body. Results are generally long-lasting. As the removed glandular and fatty tissue does not regenerate, renewed breast growth after surgery is unlikely. Recurrence is rare, but if it does occur, a further breast reduction procedure may be considered.
Gynaecomastia Treatment at My Specialist Practice for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
Gynaecomastia treatment at my Berlin practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery begins with a detailed consultation. I explain the possibilities and limitations of surgery, the surgical technique and the potential risks and side effects. I then take a thorough medical history to identify any pre-existing conditions or other risk factors that might prevent surgery, either temporarily or permanently. Before a final decision is made, I may recommend that you consult a urologist for further investigation, including hormone tests, to establish the cause of the breast enlargement.
During your initial consultation or at a follow-up appointment, I carry out a comprehensive physical examination and take detailed chest measurements to plan the operation. Based on these findings, I prepare a personalised treatment plan. I remain available to answer your questions before surgery and to provide any necessary medical support throughout aftercare. Immediately before the procedure, I will review any remaining points with you.
Alongside a high standard of medical and aesthetic care, it is important to me that you feel well looked after before, during and after surgery. Your individual needs and circumstances are always central to my approach. As a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, I have many years of experience in treating gynaecomastia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common Is Gynaecomastia?
Gynaecomastia is common. Depending on age and lifestyle, it affects up to 30 per cent of men. Significant obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, is very often accompanied by enlargement of the male breast, usually due at least in part to fatty deposits. In later life, muscle mass progressively decreases whilst body fat tends to increase, making an enlarged chest more likely. Breast enlargement is also a common part of development in adolescent boys. Almost three-quarters of boys experience it during puberty, and it does not resolve spontaneously in every case.
Is Gynaecomastia Dangerous?
Gynaecomastia does not usually pose a health risk. Many affected men have no physical symptoms. Others experience pulling, tightness or pain, usually intermittently and particularly during certain physical activities.
It is important to remember, however, that men can also develop breast cancer. Male patients account for only around one per cent of breast cancer cases, but the risk increases with the amount of glandular breast tissue present. This possibility must be considered particularly if enlargement affects only one side or is accompanied by symptoms such as a palpable lump, bleeding from the nipple, skin changes or inflammation, tissue ulceration, or swelling in the armpit. If symptoms or relevant risk factors are present, the specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery will arrange a histological examination of the removed glandular tissue to rule out cancer.
The psychological effects of breast enlargement can be more significant. Many men find that gynaecomastia considerably affects their quality of life. Surgery can be performed at any age, provided the patient is medically suitable. Older men may also gain a more positive self-image and feel more comfortable in their bodies following the procedure.
Is Gynaecomastia Surgery Appropriate for Adolescents?
The procedure can be performed at any age. In adolescents and young adults, however, the timing of surgery requires particularly careful consideration. Surgery is generally appropriate only when there is good reason to believe that the enlarged breast tissue will not resolve naturally and is likely to persist without treatment.
Will Health Insurance Cover the Cost of the Procedure?
Gynaecomastia surgery is usually classed as an aesthetic surgical procedure, so statutory health insurers generally do not cover the cost. Some statutory and private insurers may provide cover if a medical certificate documents a significant physical or psychological impairment.
Are There Any Contraindications?
Certain pre-existing conditions or medications may make the procedure unsuitable. During your personal consultation at my practice, I will carefully assess whether there are any medical reasons why surgery should not proceed.