Gynecomastia

The Goal of Gynecomastia Surgery

Approximately half of all men have breasts that are enlarged, a condition known as gynecomastia. In some cases the cause is heredity or hormonal activity within the body, while anabolic steroid use can also create this unwanted side effect.

Because 50 percent of the breast is composed of fat, Dr. Mentz is sometimes able to reduce its size predominantly through liposuction alone. However, it is commonly necessary to remove excess glandular tissue as well. Dr. Mentz accomplishes this using an innovative ”puncture removal” technique he developed in 2003. This technique allows him remove glandular material through a very small puncture, which leaves behind a scar that is generally undetectable.

Many men choose to combine a gynecomastia procedure with Pectoral Etching®, a liposuction technique Dr. Mentz developed to give the chest a more athletic appearance. In a Pectoral Etching® procedure, Dr. Mentz uses a detailed liposuction technique to outline the pectoralis muscle and axilla in order to reveal the muscular contours of the male chest.

Dr. Mentz's innovative lipocontouring techniques have generated international acclaim for their success in helping men to obtain muscular definition that can be difficult or impossible to achieve through workouts alone. He has presented his techniques to plastic surgeons around the globe and teaches a popular course on his liposuction methods at the respected American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery annual meeting.

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz

An Innovative Leader in Liposuction Techniques for Men

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz has the notable honor of being the first surgeon in the United States to achieve triple board certification in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). He combines the techniques and skills specific to each of these boards to produce dramatic results that are long-lasting and natural in appearances.

Consistently selected by Houston physicians as one of the top plastic surgeons in the city (H-Texas Magazine "Top Doc" award) , Dr. Mentz is respected worldwide for his introduction of innovative liposuction and body contouring techniques. Dr. Mentz invented Abdominal Etching® in 1992 and is considered a world authority on the specialized liposuction technique. He authored the first paper on Abdominal Etching® and contributed a chapter on the subject for a plastic surgery text. He followed this with the development of Pectoral Etching®, a liposuction method which gives the male chest a more muscular appearance. In 1994, Dr. Mentz developed a puncture incision technique for the gynecomastia procedure in order to eliminate any visible scarring.

In recognition of his body contouring expertise, the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has invited Dr. Mentz to present his liposculpting techniques to plastic surgeons at its annual meetings for two years in a row. Dr. Mentz has presented his techniques to advance body contouring's safety, recovery, and results through numerous presentations and publications for plastic surgeons. In addition to authoring three book chapters on liposuction, he has written papers on large volume liposuction and the use of blood thinners after liposuction to reduce blood clots. The ASAPS and Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation jointly awarded Dr. Mentz the "Best Journal Article of 2008" for his article which presented risk assessment for liposuction based upon a review of 3871 consecutive cases.

Gynecomastia Procedure

In a gynecomastia procedure, Dr. Mentz uses a small, specialized cannula to remove excess fat from the chest area through liposuction. Any excess glandular tissue that is present will be removed using the puncture incision technique. If Pectoral Etching® is performed in conjunction with gynecomastia correction, fat is then removed from the edges of the pectoralis muscles and axilla in order to create more visible definition of the mucular contours.

The procedure can be accomplished in approximately one hour, and most men can return to work 3 to 4 days later, though heavy exercise should be postponed for 2 to 3 weeks. Dr. Mentz performs surgical procedures at his AAAASF certified surgical facility in Houston, Texas

Gynecomastia Recovery

Following your procedure, you will be fitted with a compression garment to reduce bruising and swelling. Most bruising and swelling dimininishes within two weeks.

If you live within 30 miles of our facility, Dr. Mentz will offer a visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse who is trained to assist you with your recovery. The nurse will monitor your recovery, change any dressings, assist you with your medication, and provide Dr. Mentz with an update on your condition. Most patients can returen to work in 3-4 days and resume exercise in 2-3 weeks or when Dr. Mentz advises.

 

The Added Touch Medical Spa

Services to Support Your Recovery

30-Minute Post-Surgical Therapeutic Massage

The massage therapists at Dr. Mentz's Added Touch Medical Spa offer a special post-surgical massage that is designed to support and speed your body's natural healing process after a cosmetic surgery procedure. A combination of lymphatic and Swedish massage techniques are used, which work together to relax you and stimulate the lymphatic system to help reduce bruising, swelling, and numbness.

Scar Therapy System

To help diminish postoperative scars, we have designed a Scar Therapy System, which consists of three products to be applied daily in the weeks following surgery. This package includes two SkinMedica products: TNS Recovery Complex and Tri-Retinol Complex, and an advanced scar treatment gel. As an added benefit, the SkinMedica products can be applied to the face as part of a long-term daily routine to improve the skin's tone and texture.

Skin Care

At The Added Touch Medical Spa, Dr. Mentz's skin care specialists will work with you to design a simple daily skin care regimen to help you look your best. Our Obagi and Skin Medica products contain active, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients which work at a cellular level to penetrate and improve your skin. In addition, we offer a number of treatment options which will restore a refreshed appearance to the face. Many of these treatments can be completed in less than an hour and require minimal to no downtime.

Chemical Peels

Chemical Peels smooth the skin's appearance by gently resurfacing it through the removal of its damaged outer layers. They are an effective non-surgical cosmetic treatment for those who desire to treat mild to more severe skin conditions including sun-damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, skin pigment abnormalities, acne, and acne scarring.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion gives the skin a fresh and healthy appearance through the gently abrasive mechanical action of crystals, which slough away the dead surface cells that can cause skin to appear dull and aged. The massaging action helps to increase oxygenation in the skin, which, in turn, stimulates the production of collagen to give the skin a more revitalized look. Microdermabrasion diminishes the appearance of skin imperfections such as fine lines, brown spots, and acne scars, and helps to clean out pores, as well.

Laser Treatments

Like microdermabrasion and chemical peels, lasers resurface the skin to rejuvenate its appearance. However, they achieve this action at a deeper level through the action of short pulses of light that penetrate the skin's layers to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. Our lasers are designed to target a wide variety of skin concerns to provide the following benefits:

  • fade brown spots such as freckles and age spots
  • soften fine lines and wrinkles
  • tighten the skin
  • diminish surgical scars
  • fade rosacea and facial spider veins
  • improve acne-prone skin
  • fade birthmarks
  • permanently reduce hair

We invite you to contact us to schedule your Gynecomastia consultation with Dr. Mentz. E-mail or contact his office by calling 713.799.9999.