Male breast reduction, or gynecomastia, is a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men that can occur at any age. The condition can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity or the use of certain drugs. Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self-confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy to hide their condition.
Gynecomastia is characterized by:
Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia is technically called reduction mammaplasty. The procedure 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.
You may be a good candidate for male breast reduction if:
Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.
The success and safety of your gynecomastia procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.
Breast reduction surgery may be performed in an accredited, office-based surgical facility, licensed ambulatory surgical center or hospital.
Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The options include sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.
In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, or thin hollow tube, through several small incisions. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction. There are various liposuction techniques that may be used; the technique most appropriate in your case will be defined prior to your procedure.
Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference.
Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision.
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots
• Breast asymmetry
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent
• Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fatty tissue found in the breast might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Infection
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Unfavorable scarring
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
After surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied to your incisions. An elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals.
You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow up care?
The final results of the breast reduction procedure are permanent in many cases. However, if gynecomastia resulted from the use of certain prescription medications, drugs (including steroids) or weight gain, you must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight in order to maintain your results.
Please discuss this with your physician before making changes to your prescription medications.
When you go home, If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
Following your physician’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
The results of your breast reduction surgery 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. The final results of your breast reduction will appear over the next few months. Incision lines are permanent, but will continue to fade over time.
Any surgical treatment to correct gynecomastia will require incisions. While most incision lines are concealed within natural contours, some may be visible and are a necessary result of breast reduction surgery.
All scars are permanent, even though some scars may be concealed in the natural contours of the breast. Your improved upper body will likely enhance your self-image and confidence, whether in a shirt and tie, a t-shirt or baring your chest at the beach.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure.
• To perform additional tightening or repositioning of the breasts
• To treat any complications that may occur
Prices for gynecomastia surgery can vary. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
• Anesthesia fees
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Medical tests
• Post-surgery garments
• Prescriptions for medication
• Surgeon’s fee
In most cases, correction of gynecomastia is not eligible for insurance coverage. However, each insurance policy varies greatly. Carefully review your policy to determine coverage.
