Fat Removal

Difference between Gynaecomastia and Pseudogynaecomastia?

In this blog Dr Ash Dutta is explaining the two closely related disease associated with male boobs- Gynaecomastia and Pseudogynaecomastia.

The main difference between Gynaecomastia and Pseudogynaecomastia is what is causing the enlargement.

Gynaecomastia can be classed in categories –

‘Pure glandular’ gynaecomastia
‘Mixed’ gynaecomastia

If it’s ‘pure glandular’ gynaecomastia, the cause is enlargement of the breast area due to proliferation of fibrous breast tissue (glands)
If it’s ‘mixed’ gynaecomastia, (the most common form of gynaecomastia) the cause is enlargement of the chest by both excess fibrous breast tissue and fatty tissue.
But if it is pseudo-gynaecomastia the culprit is the enlargement of the male breast area by excess fat only.

Mixed gynaecomastia is treated by the removal of the fatty tissue using liposuction and excision of the glandular tissue; whereas ‘pure glandular’ gynaecomastia is treated by excision of glandular tissue.

GYNAECOMASTIA IS:

Due to excess breast tissue/glandular tissue growth
The underlying tissue is firm, irregular and sometimes even painful to touch
It often feels like a hard lump under the nipple but can also extend outside the borders of the areola depending on how much tissue there is
Gynaecomastia is generally removed surgically

PSEUDO-GYNAECOMASTIA IS:

Enlarged chest due to excess fatty tissue
The underlying tissue is accumulated fat in the chest area which is soft and generally painless
Feels like a soft lump below the breast
Diet and exercise may help to reduce Pseudo-gynaecomastia
Primarily occurs in overweight or obese people

Just because you have an enlarged chest doesn’t necessarily mean you have Gynaecomastia, it may be pseudo-gynaecomastia. As we have already mentioned earlier: the reason behind both the conditions are totally different, even if the appearance/symptoms are similar.

Before you request any treatment, you should see a doctor so that a proper assessment/diagnosis can be undertaken. Dr Ash Dutta advises patients to see their GP initially followed by a consultation with a doctor experienced in dealing with gynaecomastia.

You should not try to self-diagnose as successful outcome depends on the reliable diagnosis.

If you have gynaecomastia, then gynaecomastia surgery is the only permanent solution.

At the Aesthetic Beauty Centre, your progress is reviewed on a regular basis through follw-up appointments with your surgeon, Dr. Ash Dutta.

Finally, London is where the revolutionary VASER and body sculpting procedures are performed, under Dr Dutta’s watchful eye.

-Dr Ash Dutta

What are the ways to get rid of embarrassing gynaecomastia during different phases of life?

Gynaecomastia may be seen in three phases of the life span of an individual and is basically associated with hormonal changes in the body.

The first phase is during neonatal period (birth to 3 months) when 60-90% of babies both male and female, develop breast tissue. But this is asymptomatic gynaecomastia.
The second phase being in teenagers or between 10-18 years or more, when 48% to 64% of all teenagers have some form of breast tissue growth.
Gynaecomastia is believed to be a mid-puberty event as it is more frequent in boys. There have been a number of conflicting study reports in the literature regarding the association of BMI with gynaecomastia. While several investigators demonstrated that boys with gynaecomastia are heavier, others have found that boys with pubertal gynaecomastia are shorter, leaner and have a lower BMI.
The third phase being in old age or between 50-80 years. The reported prevalence is up to 70%.

Neonatal Gynaecomastia – Usually self-limiting and treatment not necessary

The neonatal gynaecomastia is asymptomatic which occurs as a residual effect of androgen to oestrogen conversion by the placenta. This temporary gynaecomastia usually subsides within four to three weeks.

2. Pubertal Gynaecomastia – Permanent solution is surgery

Gynaecomastia in teenagers is one of the most embarrassing situations and is very common for them. It is generally referred to as pubertal gynaecomastia. When boys go through puberty, their body produces slightly higher amounts of oestrogen (female hormones). Some boys will have a higher than usual level of oestrogens and this naturally results in growth of their breast tissue.

But pubertal gynaecomastia mat settle as teenagers enter adulthood. The excessive breast tissue that is the cause of concern will even out as the chest expands when you finish your teenage years. However, if this breast development carries over to adulthood, then you need to be concerned as this may be genuine case of gynaecomastia.

Post 20, if gynaecomastia symptoms persist then you should consult with a doctor so that a proper diagnosis can be performed.

If you are over-weight and have pseudo-gynaecomastia, then you can avoid surgery as you can probably reduce it with proper diet and exercise. You should go for a low fat diet in order to allow the body to burn off excess calories.

If you are suffering from pure glandular gynaecomastia or Mixed gynaecomastia then you should consider surgical options. However, if you don’t want to get surgery done, then you can also use gynaecomastia shirts or gynaecomastia pills. But the success rate of these non-invasive treatment depends on the severity of the problem and all these are temporary solutions. If you are looking for a permanent solution for gynaecomastia, then the only option is surgery.

3. Senescent Gynaecomastia – If severe, seek surgery

When males get older, the testosterone levels either become dormant or decreases from their earlier levels and there may be a relative increase in the fatty tissue which can lead to a dominance of the female hormone oestrogen over male hormone androgen and it may cause senescent (age related) gynaecomastia. In older men, the use of numerous drugs may also cause gynaecomastia. If medication or chemical use is the cause of gynaecomastia, then there is a chance that if you stop using these medications, then your gynaecomastia may also go away on it’s own but it depends on the severity.

If you think that you may have gynaecomastia, you should see a doctor so that it can be investigated and diagnosed. You should not try to guess whether you have just chest fat or true gynaecomastia, because the success of the cure depends on the reliability of the diagnosis.

If gynaecomastia is a new symptom, one should always consult with their doctor first and especially if it is unilateral to rule out any sinister causes.

Dr Ash Dutta has been performing surgery to correct gynaecomastia since 2000.

-Dr Ash Dutta

The Cost of Vaser Lipo

When you are considering a cosmetic procedure, cost should never be your deciding factor, as a cheaper operative cost doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be getting the same standard of quality care.

VASER liposuction is a relatively straightforward procedure to perform but requires a certain level of expertise and experience. And like any surgery, it can have complications. So be sure your surgeon is board certified in cosmetic or aesthetic surgery. Thus it is better to have an experienced surgeon from the outset rather than have to pay more later to get it corrected.

The cost of VASER Liposuction procedures usually range from £2,000 to £8,000 and depends on the following factors:

The area and number of body parts that are being targeted
Amount of fat to be removed
Technique of liposuction (Vaser lipo, Vaser Mid Def or 4D/Hi Def)
Sedation or local anaesthesia (LA) to be used

At the Aesthetic Beauty Centre, the estimated cost may be as follows :

Area(s)	cost starts from
Small Area	£2000
Large area	£2500
Large + Small Area	£3000
Large + Small + Small Area	£4000
Large + Large Area	£3750

Thus the cost of VASER Lipo is dependent on your requirements and expectations, which must be realistic. It is potentially a great solution for many problematic areas such as abdomen, thighs, buttocks, lower legs, flanks/love handles, arms/bingo wings, back, chest/man boobs, bra bulges, chin/double chin and neck.

-Dr Ash Dutta

How to Choose a VASER Lipo Surgeon?

Choosing the right surgeon is the most important thing that you can do when you are preparing for VASER lipo. Although this procedure is considered a minor surgery and minimally invasive, there are certain risks and potential complications like any other surgery. Hence it is necessary to find a doctor with extensive experience in VASER lipo and an exceptional track record of safety and good reviews. Additionally, the results of your VASER lipo could last for a long time, so you should choose a doctor who will give you the results you desire.

While cost is obviously an important factor when it comes to VASER lipo, it should definitely not be the deciding one. The ultimate metric of measurement should be the doctor’s capability to deliver desired cosmetic changes and the patient’s well being after the surgery. Choosing the wrong doctor to save a little today could cost far more in the long run if it requires a corrective procedure.

With so many doctors offering VASER lipo, choosing the right one is not always an easy task. However, there are certain things to take into consideration:

1) Certifications and Affiliations

Technically, any licensed doctor can perform VASER lipo, but not all doctors offer the same degree of expertise. For your safety and ultimate satisfaction, you should always choose a surgeon with a long track record in this technique. Also, another thing to consider – being a plastic surgeon does not necessarily mean being good at VASER lipo.

2) Experience

It is important to choose a doctor who is performing regular VASER lipo procedures and achieving good results. Ask for details of previous patients to speak to, if needed. Even if a surgeon has a great reputation for tummy tucks or facelifts, if he does not have first-hand knowledge of VASER lipo, he is possibly not the right choice for your treatment. It is also beneficial to choose a doctor who is capable of dealing with complications.

3) Procedures/Techniques Offered

Before choosing your surgeon, you should do a bit of research about the different types of liposuction available. If you know other people who have had VASER lipo, you should ask them about the level of sculpting their doctors used and how they felt about the treatment. That way, if you are interested in a particular technique, you can find a doctor who provides the treatment according to your choice. Also, do not believe everything on the internet, look for reputable blogs and review sites.

4) Previous Outcomes

Most doctors have pictures of past procedures available to view online or offline. However, sometimes the best patient result photos can give you false expectations – it is important to remember that not all patients are the same and no Surgeon should give guarantees.

5) Bedside Manner

Choose a Surgeon you feel comfortable with and who answers all your questions. You should never choose a doctor who pressurizes you to undergo more treatment than you want or expect. Make sure your expectations and your treatment care plan are in alignment.

-Dr Ash Dutta

Advantages of VASER Liposuction over Traditional Liposuction

For many years, Liposuction has been the preferred choice when it comes to fat removal.

However, a novel contouring procedure known as VASER, which is short for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance, but commonly known as LipoSelection (which is less of a mouthful), is now helping people lose weight and gently reshape their body without significant pain or downtime.

Compared to Liposuction, which is now regarded as a more invasive treatment, often causing swelling and bruising, LipoSelection uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology that enables it to differentiate fat from other tissues including nerves and blood cells. The treatment only targets the fat the patient requires removing, which is why there is less swelling and bruising.

Liposuction was first introduced in 1920, since then, enormous progress has been made in the procedure with new methods becoming mainstream every year. The latest technique of liposuction with VASER removes the unwanted fat from your body, thus creating a defined and sculpted body. The surgeon breaks up and emulsifies the fat prior to removal with an ultrasound probe which facilitates the liposuction process and reduces pain. VASER liposuction combines ultrasonic waves (inaudible sound wave) with liposuction technology where ultrasonic waves precisely breaks up and liquefies targeted fat without disrupting connective tissue, nerves or blood vessels while liposuction technology safely removes the stubborn body fat with minimal to no damage to the surrounding tissue resulting in a limited bruising. The technique is becoming popular due to its quick recovery time, and less complications compared to the other traditional liposuction procedures.

Difference between VASER lipo and Traditional lipo-

Choosing which method and technique of liposuction is needed to remove unwanted excess fat is an individual choice and also something that your surgeon will help you decide.

However, it is important to understand the basic differences between these two methods of unwanted fat removal.

Both traditional liposuction and Vaser Lipo can be used to treat larger areas of fat, while Vaser Lipo is especially effective for removal of dense, fibrous fatty tissue, such as the fat found in the back and male breasts.
Traditional liposuction mostly refers to power-assisted liposuction in which the fat is not prepared for removal. However with Vaser Lipo, ultrasonic waves initially and precisely break up and liquefy targeted fat without disrupting connective tissue, nerves or blood vessels before safely removing the stubborn body fat. Thus in VASER lipo liquefaction of the hard, fibrous tissue before removal makes the removal process easier and less traumatic to surrounding tissue which results less bruising and swelling.

Advantages of VASER Lipo over Traditional liposuction-

Vaser Lipo is an excellent method for body-sculpting and contouring as it has the following advantages and benefits over other traditional method of liposuction

Relatively less invasive as compared to traditional lipo
The emitted sound waves only target stubborn fat deposits, thus precision is guaranteed
There is minimal damage to surrounding tissue such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues
Suitable for both large as well as small areas
Can be performed under local anaesthetic
It can be completed quickly rather than taking up to three hours, as in a traditional liposuction.
Can be performed as an outpatient procedure, i.e. does not require an overnight stay in hospital
Relatively low operation time, approximately 1-2 hours depending upon the areas to be treated
Minimum downtime and recovery time is faster due to it being much less intrusive than traditional lipo
Minimal scarring, bruising and bleeding because the fat is essentially disrupted before being removed- the cannula does not have to be moved aggressively to break up the fat as in other traditional methods.
Less painful than traditional lipo because the sensitive nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue are spared
This advanced procedure stimulates collagen production which results in the skin tightening rather than sagging, so the need to perform an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is reduced.
Good skin retraction which can be maintained with good lifestyle
Smoother and more predictable immediate results which can even be visible from day one with continued improvement up to six months later.
Safer and more effective procedure when compared to traditional liposuction

There are some variations in the method of Vaser Lipo such as Standard VASER lipo, VASER Hi-Def, VASER 4D etc and depending on which method is used, patients may be advised to take some precautions like not to drive/fly or engage in any intense physical activity for a few weeks during recovery period. Patients can return to normal activities within a shorter time span, although there may be some discomfort following the procedure. But overall it is most effective and a safe technique among all other methods of unwanted fat removal from your body.

If you would like to schedule a consultation for “VASER Lipo” with Dr Ashish Dutta please book your free consultation or call us on 0191 273 9339 / 0191 567 2900.

Qualified doctors and nurses will discuss the procedure before any treatment, explaining any possible side effects

-Dr Ash Dutta