Most men experience unwanted breast growth at some point in their lives but often grow out of it. This condition is called gynecomastia and is often the butt of many jokes and the cause of low self-confidence in men that live with it. It can have many causes, but we seek to offer understanding, compassionate care to men looking for surgical solutions. Male breast reduction techniques can be one of the best ways to treat gynecomastia and craft an improved, masculine chest contour.
Male breast reduction is sometimes known as gynecomastia surgery and aims to reduce excess breast tissue in men that experience gynecomastia. This condition is the growth of excess breast tissue or fat in the male breasts and can have many different causes. The most common are hormones or certain medications, but it can be common in men that experience weight gain or loss. Gynecomastia treatment can use a few different techniques that include surgical tissue removal and ultrasonic liposuction to further refine the contours and craft a new chest contour.
There are some important factors to consider when it comes to gynecomastia treatment. In some patients, determining causes or implementing lifestyle changes can help them find results. However, some patients benefit from surgery because they aren’t responding to other options. It’s important that surgical patients be no longer undergoing puberty or using medications that can cause breast growth, as this can affect results after surgery. Additionally, you should be at a stable weight and have an effective diet and exercise regimen in place. As with any surgical procedure, you should have no medical conditions that might put you at risk during your surgery or recovery period. We’ll discuss these at length during your consultation.
Gynecomastia treatment is unique to each patient, but there are a few ways that male breast reduction can be performed based on the composition of breasts. Gynecomastia can be caused by excess fat, excess breast tissue, or both. Each type can require a different approach, but some patients benefit from a combination of the following.
If enlarged breasts are mainly caused by fatty tissue, then liposuction can sometimes be used on its own to reduce fat through minimal incisions. We recommend the use of ultrasonic liposuction, sometimes called power-assisted liposuction, which can effectively liquefy fat cells for easier removal through a cannula and surgical vacuum. Liposuction techniques usually require small, easily-concealable incisions and are recommended if you aren’t experiencing any loose skin.
Gynecomastia can be caused by excess breast tissue in men that is often too fibrous or dense to respond well to liposuction. In this case, surgical incisions are used in order to remove breast tissue through surgical excision. This can also include excising extra skin that causes sagging, as well as reducing the areolae or nipples. We can recommend the best incision for your results and lifestyle during a consultation.
Your unique gynecomastia treatment will be discussed in detail during your consultation. We can perform your male breast reduction procedure at our private, accredited facility using anesthesia that is dependent upon your procedure. Generally, liposuction can be performed with only local anesthesia, but you may require general anesthesia if any surgical removal or combination approach will be used. Once you’re comfortable, predetermined incisions are made to gain access to the fatty or breast tissue. These are removed in order to create a flattering contour, and any excess skin is removed, and the breast is lifted to a more masculine profile if needed. Once the surgery is complete, you’ll be fitted with a compression garment in order to aid blood flow and help the skin adhere to the new contour. Overall, this procedure can take around two hours but can depend on how extensive your surgical plan is.
The extent of your recovery and downtime will depend on how extensive your procedure is, but if only liposuction is used, you may only require a few days off from work or school. Surgical techniques can require longer and may cause more discomfort. With either technique, you can manage any pain and swelling with prescribed medications. It’s important to avoid any extensive exercise or lifting during this time, as it can irritate your incisions. Most patients see results immediately after surgery, but your final results can take a few months to refine and become visible. During your recovery period, we can recommend the latest in scar management treatments so that you won’t need to worry about obvious scars.
Gynecomastia surgery can be one of the best ways to achieve a masculine chest profile when other options don’t work. To see how male breast reduction can benefit you, schedule a consultation at our St. Joseph office by calling or filling out our online form.
