Gynecomastia surgery in Iran: all you need to know

We at AriaMedTour receive a large number of requests every month from people from different countries asking for a male breast reduction or gynecomastia surgery in Iran. Since gynecomastia surgery is a safe procedure and you can get it at a decent price in Iran, men from other countries are increasingly showing interest in traveling to here to undergo the procedure.

In this article, we are going to both shed light on gynecomastia surgery and provide you with some information about this treatment in Iran.

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a common condition in men that causes the breast tissues to swell and become larger than normal. Although gynecomastia is benign, it often leads to psychological problems and is a source of embarrassment for individuals, making them prone to teasing and name-calling.

Why does gynecomastia happen?

Abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in men, can be caused by several factors, including a hormonal imbalance (low testosterone and high estrogen levels), or certain medications such as spironolactone (Aldactone), calcium channel blockers (used to treat hypertension), anti-androgens, anti-ulcer drugs, as well as drugs of abuse such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, amphetamines, and methadone.

Some medical conditions that might be associated with gynecomastia are:

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Chronic kidney failure
• Testicular cancer
• Disorders of the testes (male sex organs) including infection, trauma, or inborn disorders
• Hyperthyroidism
• Anti-androgen treatments for prostate cancer

Types of gynecomastia

According to a classification proposed by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, gynecomastia is categorized into four stages (depending on the size of the breasts and severity of the problem).

• Grade I: Small breast enlargement with localized button of tissue around the areola
• Grade II: Moderate breast enlargement exceeding areola boundaries with edges that are indistinct from the chest
• Grade III: Moderate breast enlargement exceeding areola boundaries with edges that are distinct from the chest with skin redundancy
• Grade IV: Marked breast enlargement with skin redundancy and feminization of the breast

Gynecomastia diagnosis and treatment

We recommend that you consult a specialist to make sure that the enlargement of your breasts results from gynecomastia not a threatening disease like breast cancer. Your doctor will ask you a number of questions about your and your family’s medical history and medications you take.

The doctor will also do a physical examination and may ask you to undergo a blood test and mammography in order to make a gynecomastia diagnosis. Depending on the results of the initial tests, you may need to further undergo CT scans, MRI scans, testicular ultrasounds, and tissue biopsies.

After finding the root cause of gynecomastia, the first step is to treat the condition that has caused gynecomastia. If a certain medication you are taking is the cause, your doctor may ask you to stop it or substitute it with another medication.

Some medications used for breast cancer and other conditions, including raloxifene (Evista), tamoxifen (Soltamox), and aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex) can help in reducing gynecomastia, but they are not specifically approved for this use. There are medication-based therapies like those prescribed to alter the hormone levels, but their efficacy is not 100 percent and they often have unwanted side effects

Most cases of gynecomastia improve on their own over time without any treatment, and this may take one year or two. If this doesn’t happen, treatment becomes necessary. The fastest and most effective gynecomastia treatment option is surgery.

How is male breast reduction surgery done?

Depending on whether the bulging of breasts is caused by excessive accumulation of fat in breasts, which is called ‘false gynecomastia’, (also, pseudogynecomastia, lipomastia or adipomastia) or excessive growth of breast tissue (gynecomastia), two techniques are used: liposuction and mastectomy.

Liposuction

If your doctor recommends you to have a liposuction procedure for your enlarged breasts, make sure to choose a qualified plastic surgeon who has enough experience in liposuction of male breasts. Liposuction for male breasts can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on your preferences.

Mastectomy (excision technique)

Mastectomy involves the removal of excess breast tissues or skin. Excision technique for gynecomastia is often done endoscopically with a small incision.

Combination of liposuction and excision technique

Sometimes the gynecomastia patient needs to both get the fat in the breast area removed and the excess tissue removed. In this case, both liposuction and excision technique are used to get the ideal result from this cosmetic surgery.

Most doctors first remove fat deposits lying around the areolas and under the arms, then by making a small incision under the areola, cut out the dense, rubbery tissue that cannot be suctioned out through with the cannula.

Am I a candidate for gynecomastia surgery?

You can consider a male breast reduction surgery if:

• You have good overall health and don’t suffer from a life-threatening illness or a condition that impedes healing.
• Your enlarged breasts haven’t got better after 1-2 years and they cannot be corrected through other treatments.
• You are a non-smoker and non-drug user
• You have a positive outlook and have realistic expectations.
• You are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight. If you are overweight or obese, it is recommended that you consider a weight loss program first, because as you lose weight, your breasts too get smaller naturally.
• Your breast size has stabilized
• You are feeling bothered and embarrassed about your female-like breasts, and has lost your self-confidence

Male breast reduction risks and side effects

Any surgery has some potential risks and complications. Be as informed as possible about the benefits and risks of gynecomastia surgery. The complications that might occur after surgery are discussed prior to your surgery.

Gynecomastia surgery risks are reactions to anesthesia, tape, suture, glues, topical preparations or injected agents, breast asymmetry or irregularity, bleeding, change in nipple sensation, fat necrosis, fluid accumulation, infection, poor healing, pain, scarring, damage to nerves or vessels, and deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.

Most of these complications are rare and temporary if occur. Choosing the right doctor and hospital are key in reducing the chance of developing complications.

How is the gynecomastia surgery recovery like?

The male breast reduction procedure isn’t a major surgery. After the completion of the surgery, bandages and dressings will be applied to the incisions and you will receive post-op care before being discharged from hospital. You may be asked to wear a support garment or elastic bandage to reduce swelling and support the new chest contour as it heals.

Special instructions are given by your surgeon as to how to care for the surgical site and what medications to use, possible risks and complications of gynecomastia surgery, and dos and don’ts for the recovery period.

Make sure to discuss your specific concerns with your surgeon before surgery, such when you can resume your normal activities, when to come back for follow-up, potential risks, and complications, and what are post-op care for gynecomastia surgery.

It is very important to strictly follow your physician’s instructions in order to get the most satisfactory result from your treatment.

Our medical consultants at AriaMedTour are always prepared to answer all your questions both before and after surgery. We stand beside during the time you are staying in Iran for your gynecomastia surgery and continue our online follow-up even when you fly back home.

Male breast reduction cost in Iran

Male breast reduction is expensive treatment in many countries. For example, the average cost in the United States ranges from $6,000 to $10,000. The price of gynecomastia surgery in Iran is something between $1,400 to $3,000, depending on the reputation of the doctor and the type of surgery.

If you add the costs of your travel, still you can have your gynecomastia removal procedure done at a very affordable price. Keep in mind that the low cost doesn’t mean you will get a botched surgery. It is due to different factors, such as the devaluation of Iran rial against foreign currencies.

If you are a male suffering from large breasts and looking for an affordable surgery to get back your normal masculine body, Iran is an ideal choice for you to travel and get the treatment at a decent price. Do not fret about the troubles of a foreign trip. AriaMedTour arranges everything for you, starting from getting your visa for Iran to transferring you to your clinic and hospital to the follow-up after surgery. In Short, you will be given airport-to-airport services.

So, the only thing you need to do is contact us now for further information regarding our services and prices. You can visit Iran to fill two needs (if not several) with one dee (and feed two birds with one seed): visiting the beautiful country with all her splendors and having your chest reshaped and fit.