About Procedure
Before & After
« Male Breast Reduction
« Surgical Procedures
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 alcoholic 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.
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.
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
treatment 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.
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 to 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.
