Age for surgery

[kiwi60]

Hi,
I am a reasonably fit 60 year old, that has suffered from mild Gynecomastia for most of my life. Over the last few years I feel the condition is getting worse. I would like to know, at my age, is it worth considering surgery, and if so what are the risks for a person of my age.
Thanks.

[Litlriki]

Without knowing your medical history, it's difficult to tell you age-related risks specific to you, but generally, the added risks are related to the anesthesia and would be true of any surgery in patients over 60.  These may include things like heart attack, stroke, and so on.  Some procedure-specific risks relate to how your tissues respond to surgical intervention, and I have found that patients over 60 sometimes have issues related to elasticity changes in older skin.  The skin may not tighten up as much as in younger patients after liposuction, making the potential need for a touch-up or revision somewhat greater.  I also look at the potential need for skin removal a little differently in these patients, and I discuss this with them in detail.

As to whether the procedure is worth it or not, you are the only person who can answer that.  If it bothers you enough, if the anticipated results are good, and if you have the resources to afford the procedure, then it might be worth it. 

Rick Silverman

[DrPensler]

Risks are specific for each patient based on their medical history and the severity of the gynecomastia.In addition skin elasticity will play a significant role in your result.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Agree with Drs Silverman and Pensler.  I have found that for most of my patients over 60, the main problem is that once the excess underlying tissues have been removed, there is insufficient natural elasticity in the skin to provide the taut, contoured look that is the real goal.  As a result, surgery could probably make your chest flatter but you would still have a residual infra-mammary fold -- unless you elected to have further skin tightening (which would result in additional and probably unwanted scarring.)

Dr Jacobs