Procedure | Surgical
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction, is the surgical correction of overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men.
Gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size. Flattening and enhancing the chest contours. In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.
Gynecomastia usually occurs in both breasts, but patients may have with asymmetric or unilateral breasts. Surgery to remove the breast tissues usually involves liposuction of the excess fat, surgical removal of the excess glandular breast tissue through an incision in the margin of the nipple-areolar complex and/or skin excision
Preparing for surgery involves making sure that you stop medications that increase the risk of bleeding. Stop smoking and increase your nutrition to support your healing and recovery after surgery.
It is also good to arrange a ride to and from your procedure.
Most surgeons perform the operation under general anesthesia. The semicircular incision will be required in the areola (skin surrounding the nipple) so that breast tissue can be removed while leaving the smallest scar possible. Surgeons will use drains after surgery to reduce the chance of fluid collection.
The procedure usually takes about an hour or two to complete, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed
Recovery is typically tolerable. The use of compression vests and icing is also common to help control pain, reduce swelling and control bruising.
For patients who need surgical removal of the excess breast tissue, it can take between two to four weeks to heal enough to tolerate routine activities. Generally, patients are able to go back to work after surgery at 7-10 days.
They are able to get back to the gym for cardio at 2 weeks and weightlifting at 4 weeks barring complications from surgery.
Bruising and swelling will resolve gradually until final results can be seen over the months following surgery. Final results should be apparent by 6 months postoperatively.
Gynecomastia surgery results are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery.
All gynecomastia surgery scars are permanent, even though some scars may be concealed in the natural contours of the breast.
The final results of your gynecomastia surgery may take 3-6 months to achieve. Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time.
Common complications include bruising, bleeding, fluid collections, contour irregularities, loss of nipple skin, visible scarring, numbness of the nipples, inverted nipples, loose breast skin and asymmetries.
