Gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts, can occur at any age and is most often idiopathic in nature, meaning we don’t know the cause. Men who have developed glandular breast tissue and/or excess fat in their chest region often feel self conscious and refrain from activities that they would otherwise enjoy. Male cosmetic breast surgery including, male breast reduction and liposuction, can improve the appearance, giving you a new found freedom to live life without hiding your appearance.
Is Gynecomastia Surgery Right for Me?
Male breast surgery treats male gynecomastia through male breast reduction, liposuction or a combination approach. Most often gynecomastia is "idopathic" meaning we don’t know the exact cause. In a small percentage of patients, however, there is a medical cause such as hormonal changes, aging, medication use, obesity, or simply genetics.
During puberty, slight breast enlargement can be a normal finding, which usually only lasts 12 to 18 months. In cases that persist, however, male breast surgery can help correct the contour abnormalities that often lead patients to feel self conscious and in some circumstances depressed.
Gynecomastia is graded from I to IV, based on the amount of excess tissue and the amount of excess breast skin. Grade I is for individuals who have minimal breast tissue and is often treated with liposuction alone. In grade IV, on the other hand, there is severe enlargement of the breast tissue and a large amount of skin excess. In these patients, male breast reduction is needed to reduce both the amount of breast tissue and excess skin.
Male Breast Surgery with Dr. Gill
During your consultation, Dr. Gill will evaluate your anatomy, discuss your goals and thoughtfully design a unique surgical plan that with safely and effectively meet you goals. Dr. Gill will often recommend ultrasonic liposuction for her male breast patients. This liposuction method uses ultrasonic energy that melts fat down so that it can be suctioned out of the chest area, for permanent results. The procedure is a valuable option for male patients with gynecomastia that consists of excess tissue that is mainly fat (Grade I and Grade II Gynecomastia). In more severe cases where large amounts of glandular tissue or fat that must be removed Dr. Gill may also need to remove excess skin. This allows the remaining skin to firm and readjust to the new contours.
Surgery for gynecomastia usually takes between two and three hours. Most patients feel the some discomfort during the first few days after surgery. This is largely controlled with an oral pain medication prescribed by Dr. Gill. After the first few days, you will transition to over-the-counter pain medication. It is normal for the chest area to feel swollen and tender at first, but this subsides over the first few weeks. You will need to wear compression garments for four to six weeks following surgery. This will keep the incision sites very stable, and prevent a fluid build-up that could otherwise cause problems. Compression garments also help you toward a speedier recovery and allow for the procedure results to become permanent. Most patients may resume normal exercise 4 weeks after surgery. Dr. Gill will be highly involved in your post-operative management and guide you as you gradually increase your activity level. Recovery depends on whether liposuction or male breast reduction surgery was performed.
FAQ
Who is a candidate for male breast surgery?
- Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Non-smokers and non-drug users
- Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia
- Men who are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
- Men who have realistic expectations
- Men whose breast development has stabilized
- Men who are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large
Will I have scars after male breast surgery?
Scars will depend on the surgery Dr. Gill performs. In patients who undergo liposuction alone, small scars will be placed in the breast crease in so the liposuction cannulas may be used. These scars fade over time and usually become imperceptible. In male breast reduction surgery, skin excision necessitates the use of incisions which will leave scars. Dr. Gill will discuss incision placement during your consultation.
What is recovery like after male breast surgery?
Most patients feel the some discomfort during the first few days after surgery. This is largely controlled with an oral pain medication prescribed by Dr. Gill. After the first few days, you will transition to over-the-counter pain medication. It is normal for the chest area to feel swollen and tender at first, but this subsides over the first few weeks. You will need to wear compression garments for four to six weeks following surgery. This will keep the incision sites very stable, and prevent a fluid build-up that could otherwise cause problems. Compression garments also help you toward a speedier recovery and allow for the procedure results to become permanent. Most patients may resume normal exercise 4 weeks after surgery. Dr. Gill will be highly involved in your post-operative management and guide you as you gradually increase your activity level. Recovery depends on whether liposuction or male breast reduction surgery was performed.