If you’re a man with enlarged breasts, you’re probably taking some time gathering information to help you decide what, if anything, to do about your condition. We understand this completely, and it’s why we are glad to see men in consultation for gynecomastia in New York no matter where they are in the decision process. We enjoy serving as an information source, and since we have worked with male breast reduction patients for three decades, we have lots of input to pass along.
We recommend a few things about the research process we can share with you. One is that you should evaluate all information with a critical eye, no matter the source. The second is that you do as much research as you can, partly to assist in evaluating what you discover. Third, if possible, we suggest you speak to guys who have had satisfactory surgical results. Finally, carefully evaluate and research the plastic surgeon you think might be the one for you.
If you’re getting the idea that we’ve found some of the [url: http://www.plasticsurgeonnewyork.com/gynecomastia.php] gynecomastia information [/url] out there to be of dubious quality, you’re right. Here’s some food for thought about various places you might turn to increase your knowledge and what you may encounter there.
The Internet
It’s hard to remember what life was like before the Internet was available. With the volume of data accessible in cyberspace nowadays, it probably comes as no surprise to hear that some information about man boobs on the ‘net is very helpful while some is not so great and some is entirely misleading.
Good places to start your research are medical sites like mayoclinic.org and medicinenet.com. But view what you discover even at these sites with a critical eye. Information about medical conditions may not be as up to date, detailed or accurate as you’ll get from a specialist. For instance, many sites say gynecomastia can be treated with liposuction or gland excision, when experience has taught us a combination approach is almost always needed.
Valuable sites for many men offer online forums like the one you’ll find on gynecomastia.org. Here you can connect with others who share your concerns and ask questions, gain support and so on. We highly recommend our patients visit these sites and learn from their peers, keeping in mind that one man’s experience is just that – simply a single experience.
At the other end of the spectrum of online information are sites featuring products that simply don’t work. Some are pills and creams marketed so relentlessly it’s difficult to believe they aren’t effective. But that’s the downside of the Internet—there’s no “truth filter” in place. If you find yourself tempted by a quick fix for gynecomastia, do further research. In truth, if there were a quick, easy, inexpensive fix for gynecomastia, everyone would be using it.
Friends and Relatives
We hope you will be able to talk with loved ones about your case and find them understanding—this sort of support can make a difference. But unless you’re fortunate enough to connect with someone who has been down the same road you’re traveling, take in “advice” with a grain of salt. The experience of your aunt’s friend’s cousin George may not be very similar to what you’re going through, and a referral to George’s general surgeon is probably not what you need.
Physicians
We encourage patients suffering from gynecomastia to consult other specialists as it makes sense. Some men benefit from the perspective of an endocrinologist—a hormone specialist—who may shed light on the cause of their condition. Adolescents and their families may find a visit to the pediatrician in order.
If you go this route, be advised that physicians who specialize in other fields may not be experts in some aspects of gynecomastia. We often work with young men whose doctors assured them their condition would disappear as they emerged from puberty, for example. In reality, if the condition persists for two or more years, it is unlikely to disappear on its own, and some young people spend a very long time feeling miserable before this becomes apparent.
Gynecomastia Specialist Surgeons
Virtually all gynecomastia surgery is performed by plastic surgeons. In general, plastic surgeons are more attuned to securing the very best possible cosmetic result while hiding scars as well as possible. While almost every plastic surgeon purports to perform gynecomastia surgery, very few can offer before and after photos of hundreds of patients. That is why it is worthwhile to consider traveling to consult and work with a plastic surgeon who specializes in gynecomastia – one who performs hundreds of gynecomastia operations each year.
When it comes to gathering information about gynecomastia, there’s really no such thing as too much—as long as you view it all with a critical eye.
Dr. Elliot Jacobs is an experienced, highly recognized New York plastic surgeon focusing on procedures for men. An innovator in his field. Dr. Jacobs has developed advanced techniques for correcting gynecomastia (enlarged male ‘breasts’) through liposuction, with a focus on comprehensive improvements from the chest to the waist area. He also provides surgical correction for men with overactive sweat glands through a minimally-invasive procedure that significantly reduces sweat production without eliminating it entirely.
A native New Yorker, Dr. Jacobs has served on the US Air Force and is an Honorary Police Surgeon for the New York City police Department. After earning his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he completed a General Surgery residency there as well, and received specialized training in plastic surgery techniques before ultimately earning the position of Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jacobs is board-certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Plastic Surgery; he is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and a Fellow of both the American and the International Colleges of Surgeons.
Dr. Jacobs recognizes the challenges that men experience due to problems such as enlarged breast tissue and overactive sweat glands, and he enjoys working with his patients personally to help restore their appearance and help enable them to enjoy a more confident outlook. Dr. Jacobs is committed to the ongoing advancement of plastic surgery techniques, and is a Consultant in Plastic Surgery to the United Nations. A frequent contributor to national and local news sources, Dr. Jacobs is also on the attending staff of several New York area hospitals and is the author of Mantalk: Tips from the Pros for Great Looks, Good Health and Maintaining Your Competitive Edge
