Gynecomastia surgery is a type of surgery to reduce the size of a man’s breasts. Men can have enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia) which may occur hormonal effects during puberty, excess weight or side effects of some drugs, both pharmaceutical and recreational. It can also affect you as you get older when your hormone levels change which can leave you with sagging breasts and a stretched areola.
You may choose the procedure to enhance your appearance or to reduce any discomfort, pain or embarrassment that excessive breast tissue can cause.
To discover the best treatment for your gynecomastia, talk to one of our specialist plastic surgeons.
What does gynecomastia surgery involve?
In your initial consultation with your specialist plastic surgeon, you will discuss what you want to achieve from the surgery and your medical history. The surgeon may need you to have a complete blood count and other tests to discover the cause behind your gynecomastia. You will have a physical examination, be screened for male breast cancer and they will measure your breast tissue.
What precautions should be taken?
You may need to take precautions before the surgery such as stopping some medications like blood thinners. If you are a smoker, then your surgeon will suggest giving up smoking as it can hamper the healing process.
The day before your surgery, you will be told when you need to stop eating and drinking. Also, wear loose clothes when you go in for the procedure.
During surgery
Depending on how extensive you gynecomastia is, you may only require liposuction to remove the fat cells. But if there is excess fat, tissue and skin, your surgeon may recommend excision. This is where they use larger incisions to remove the breast tissue. Your nipple and areola can also be repositioned during the surgery. Or you may need a combination of liposuction and excision.
You will not feel anything as you will be under a general anesthesia.
After surgery
Normally gynecomastia surgery is day surgery but you will need to have someone pick you up to take you home.
Pure Aesthetics will make sure you know how to take care of your incisions at home. Your chest will have bandages and you will be wearing a supportive garment to reduce the swelling after your surgery. You will be sent home with pain medications which will also help reduce the risk of infection and swelling.
Benefits of male breast reduction treatment
There are many benefits of gynecomastia, the following are just a few.
Fast recovery
Male breast reduction, gynaecomastia, has a fast recovery period. For only around 72 hours after the procedure will you need to take pain killers to relieve any pain and discomfort. You will also wear a compression garment for up to six weeks. This will help reduce the breast tissue forming again and helps to enhance the shape of the chest.
While you can return to normal daily activities after a couple of days, you can return to office work in a week. But if your job is physical where you need to do manual labour, you may need to take extended leave. Our specialist plastic surgeons will also advise you to not do any exercise until you stop wearing the compression vest.
Increases self-esteem and confidence
Gynecomastia has hidden side effects. Many men with the condition can also suffer from low self-esteem, confidence and depression because of their poor body image. If this is you, it can affect your mental health, triggering insecurities and make it more difficult socially and at work. Once you have the surgery to correct your gynecomastia you will feel more comfortable with yourself and the clothes that you wear. This should increase your self-esteem and confidence in everyday life.
Can relieve back pain
Men with gynecomastia may have chronic back pain especially if their back muscles are not strong enough to carry excess weight around the chest. Spinal pain can spread all the way down to the lower back and the buttocks depending on how bad the gynecomastia and posture are. If this is a problem for you, breast reduction surgery may give you relief.
Helps to maintain a healthy weight
While you may not be overweight, maintaining it can be difficult if you have gynecomastia. All that excess breast tissue can make exercising difficult and uncomfortable at the very least, and even painful. Breast reduction surgery removes the excess tissue and skin which can help you do all you favourite physical activities comfortably.
How long will the results last?
The results of a breast reduction should be permanent. Because the surgery removes breast cells, they cannot grow back. But if you put on a lot of weight in the future, the fat cells you still have in your chest will expand. So depending on genetics and whether the initial diagnosis treatment of what triggered your gynecomastia was correct, such as a hormonal imbalance, then it is unlikely that you will have any more glandular tissue develop in your chest.
There are four steps to ensure you have permanent results from male reduction surgery:
- The initial diagnosis to make sure it is glandular tissue and not too much adipose tissue and the appropriate treatment.
- Looking after yourself and maintaining a healthy weight. This will reduce the risk of expanding the fat cells in your chest.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
- Only take anabolic steroids if your doctor prescribes them. But let your doctor know your history if they do prescribe them as they may prescribe something that is safer for you.
If you have gynecomastia and would like to know what your options are to correct the condition, contact us today to book an initial appointment.
