THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR GYNECOMASTIA CORRECTION
Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy,
emotionally stable men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours.
Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise
or weight loss. Also, individuals who drink alcohol beverages in excess or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good
candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynecomastia. Therefore, patients are first
directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is considered an option.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
When male breast-reduction surgery is performed by a qualified
plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are risks. These include
infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and excessive fluid loss or accumulation. The procedure
may also result in noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes in the breast area, or slightly mismatched breasts or nipples.
If asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be performed to remove additional tissue.
The temporary effects of breast reduction include loss of breast sensation or numbness, which may last up to a year.
PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
The initial consultation with your surgeon is very important.
Your surgeon will need a complete medical history, so check your own records ahead of time and be ready to provide this information.
First, your surgeon will examine your breasts and check for causes of the gynecomastia, such as impaired liver function, use of
estrogen-containing medications, or anabolic steroids. If a medical problem is the suspected cause, you'll be referred to an appropriate
specialist.
Your plastic surgeon may, in extreme cases, also recommend a mammogram, or breast x-ray. This will not only rule out the very
small possibility of breast cancer, but will reveal the breast's composition. Once your surgeon knows how much fat and glandular
tissue is contained within the breasts, he or she can choose a surgical approach to best suit your needs.
Don't hesitate to ask your surgeon any questions you may have during the initial consultation- including your concerns about the
recommended treat- ment or the costs involved. Treatment of gynecomastia may be covered by medical insurance--but policies vary
greatly. Check your policy or call your carrier to be sure. If you are covered, make certain you get written pre-authorization
for the treatment recommended by your surgeon.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to
prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking certain vitamins and medications.
Smokers should plan to stop smoking for a minimum of one or two weeks before surgery and during recovery. Smoking decreases
circulation and interferes with proper healing. Therefore, it is essential to follow all your surgeon's instructions.
WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED
Surgery for gynecomastia is most often performed as an
outpatient procedure, but in extreme cases, or those where other medical conditions present cause for concern, an overnight
hospital stay may be recommended. The surgery itself usually takes about an hour and a half to complete. However, more
extensive procedures may take longer.
TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Correction of enlarged male breasts may be performed under
general, or in some cases, under local anesthesia plus sedation. You'll be awake, but very relaxed and insensitive to pain.
More extensive correction may be performed under general anesthesia, which allows the patient to sleep through the entire
operation. Your surgeon will discuss which option is recommended for you, and why this is the option of choice.
THE SURGERY
If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the
breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction
with liposuction. In a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location--either on the edge of the areola
or in the under arm area. Working through the incision, the surgeon cuts away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from
around the areola and from the sides and bottom of the breast. Major reductions that involve the removal of a significant
amount of tissue and skin may require larger incisions that result in more conspicuous scars. If liposuction is used to remove
excess fat, the cannula is usually inserted through the existing incisions.
If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, your surgeon will likely use liposuction to remove the excess fat.
A small incision, less than a half-inch in length, is made around the edge of the areola--the dark skin that surrounds the nipple.
Or, the incision may be placed in the underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula which is attached to a vacuum pump,
is then inserted into the incision. Using strong, deliberate strokes, the surgeon moves the cannula through the layers beneath
the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Patients may feel a vibration or some friction during the procedure, but
generally no pain.
In extreme cases where large amounts of fat or glandular tissue have been removed, skin may not adjust well to the new smaller
breast contour. In these cases, excess skin may have to be removed to allow the removing skin to firmly re-adjust to the new
breast contour.
Sometimes, a small drain is inserted through a separate incision to draw off excess fluids. Once closed, the incisions are
usually covered with a dressing. The chest may be wrapped to keep the skin firmly in place.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
Whether you've had excision with a scalpel or liposuction,
you will feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can be controlled with medications prescribed
by your surgeon. In any case, you should arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery and to help you out for a day or
two if needed.
You'll be swollen and bruised for awhile--in fact, you may wonder if there's been any improvement at all. To help reduce
swelling, you'll probably be instructed to wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for a week or two, and for a few
weeks longer at night. Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in the first few weeks, it may be three months
or more before the final results of your surgery are apparent.
In the meantime, it is important to begin getting back to normal. You'll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day
of surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough--which could be as early as a day or two after surgery.
Any stitches will generally be removed about 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure.
Your surgeon may advise you to avoid sexual activity for a week or two, and heavy exercise for about three weeks.
You'll be told to stay away from any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area for at least four weeks.
In general, it will take about a month before you're back to all of your normal activities.
You should also avoid exposing the resulting scars to the sun for at least six months. Sunlight can permanently affect
the skin's pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sunblock.
YOUR NEW LOOK
Gynecomastia surgery can enhance your appearance
and self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal. Before you decide to have surgery,
think carefully about your expectations and discuss them frankly with your plastic surgeon.
The results of the procedure are significant and permanent. If your expectations are realistic, chances are good that
you'll be very satisfied with your new look.
Read more about Liposuction for men.
Content courtesy of The American Society
of Plastic Surgeons. |
Many men have gynecomastia -- enlarged, female-like breasts--causes by excess glandular
tissue or fat (or both).
Glandular tissue must be cut out, usually through a small incision near the edge of the areola.
Fatty tissue can be removed by liposuction. A small, hollow tube is inserted through a tiny incision,
leaving a nearly imperceptible scar.
Following surgery for gynecomastia, the patient has a more masculine chest contour.
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Gynecomastia is a medical term that comes from the Greek words for
"women-like breasts." Though this oddly named condition is rarely talked about, it's actually quite common. Gynecomastia affects an
estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It may affect only one breast or both. Though certain drugs and medical problems have been linked
with male breast overdevelopment, there is no known cause in the vast majority of cases.