Procedures
Breast » Male Breast Reduction
GYNAECOMASTIA /"MAN-BOOBS"
Why choose us for Male Breast Reduction?
- You will be seen and operated on by a fully qualified BAAPS/BAPRAS Consultant plastic surgeon.
- Our prices are competitive and represent outstanding results.
- We provide a personal and holistic service to our patients
- We put you safety first!
Male breast enlargement is a common condition that affects many men. The medical term ascribed to this condition is gynaecomastia or in the media as "man-boobs". It is caused by excess fatty and glandular tissues in the breast area. The condition can affect either one or both breasts. The condition can lead to depression and low self-esteem and embarrassment for many men. Many males will go to any lengths to avoid situations in which they may have to expose their chests. They will avoid playing sports, swimming or sunbathing. Cosmetic Surgeons London can help men with enlarged breasts or gynaecomastia by performing male breast reduction surgery. We aim to produce a chest that is flatter and shapelier.
What causes male breast enlargement / gynaecomastia?
The exact causes of gynaecomastia are unknown. Some drugs and medical conditions may be responsible for excess fatty and glandular tissue development in your breasts. One of the commonest causes is the influence of age. It is prevalent during adolescence (temporary) and later on in life. Obesity also may contribute to the overall appearance of your chest area. It is important that medical causes have been excluded for you prior to embarking on surgery.
Am I a suitable candidate for male breast reduction?
Male breast reduction is for you if you have male breasts and are healthy, have good elastic skin and are not overweight. It is not a procedure to reduce your weight or to be a substitute for exercise. You are an ideal candidate if you have first attempted to correct the condition with dieting, exercise and weight loss. This will enable your surgeon to achieve a better contour and shape to your chest.
Will there be scars following male breast reduction surgery?
Yes. Your surgeon will have had an in-depth consultation with you and will have assessed the extent of your gynaecomastia. For mild to moderate breast enlargements, the tissue may be removed by liposuction alone (there will be minimal scarring for access of the liposuction equipment). For moderate to large breast enlargements, you are likely to require a combination of liposuction and surgical excision of the excess breast tissue (commonly referred to as a "breast disc"). The scar is at the border of the areola and is in the form of a half moon.
You (the Patient's) Journey
Before the operation
You will have seen your surgeon on more than one occasion to fully answer all your questions. It is important to avoid medications, if possible, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) e.g Ibuprofen (Nurofen), Sodium Diclofenac (Voltarol) for 1 week before surgery. These tablets may increase bleeding during and after surgery. It is advisable to stop smoking 2 weeks before and after surgery from both a wound healing and an anaesthetic perspective.
The operation
You will be admitted to hospital on the morning of surgery and your surgeon along with his consultant anaesthetist will come and discuss the surgical plan again with you and make some marks on your skin with pen. You will be required to have a general anaesthetic. The operation will take approximately 1 – 1.5 hours. Your surgeon will reduce your excess breast tissue, reshape and contour your chest. All the stitches used will be dissolving in order to maximise comfort for you. Stitch removal may cause discomfort for some patients. Cosmetic Surgeons London always puts your comfort first. You will wake up with dressings in place before being taken to the ward. In general, for a mild male breast reduction you will be a day case and go home the same day. In larger breast reductions where drains are used you will need to stay in overnight. You will need to have a friend or family member to drive you to and from the hospital and to look after you for the first 24-48 hours following surgery.
Recovery
You will experience some degree of bruising, swelling, and discomfort all of which improve by the day. Our consultant anaesthetist will prescribe you adequate medication to take home to alleviate any discomfort you may experience. You are encouraged to walk around the ward as soon as you feel up to it. It is important not to get the dressings wet after surgery and you will be advised on showering. Depending on your type of work, you may return to work between 7-14 days after your procedure. No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. It will take approximately 3 months before the swelling completely subsides and the final size seen. The scar will continue to improve for up to 18 months and you are encouraged to firmly massage the scar after 4 weeks. Your surgeon will see you 1 week after surgery at which point the dressings will be reduced and again at 3 months. At 2 weeks the stitches, which are dissolvable, will be trimmed flush with the skin so they cannot be seen. All dressings will be discarded at this stage. Your surgeon will closely follow your recovery to ensure you are able to resume normal exercising and activities. You are strongly advised to wear a tight fitting garment over your chest for 6 weeks. This helps keep swelling to a minimal and assists in chest contouring.
In the majority of cases, our patients are extremely happy with their results and go on to lead transformed lives. There are some potential complications which you need to be aware of. All risks tend to increase in those patients who are overweight and smoke in the 2 weeks before and after surgery.
Safety and potential complications?
Scars
Scarring on the whole is not problematic. A scar will be visible but in the majority of patients fade with time. Certain individuals e.g. afro-carribean races and red haired individuals are at a higher risk of forming excess scar tissue (keloid or hypertrophic scars). Should these scars develop excellent advice and treatment will be provided by your surgeon.
Infection
This is an uncommon problem in male breast reduction surgery. Antibiotics are given during the operative procedure.
Nipple Sensation
Most men experience a temporary reduction in the sensation around the nipples following breast reduction. The majority of the sensation returns to normal after 3 months. Rarely, the nipple may become permanently numb.
Asymmetry
Pre-existing asymmetry cannot always be corrected by male breast reduction surgery although every attempt is made to do so.
Bleeding
Rarely, small blood vessels that have been cauterised during surgery open up afterward. This results in a collection of blood (haematoma) that needs to be removed. This involves a return to the operating theatre where the blood collection is washed out and the chest incision sutured back. There are no permanent side effects due to this and your ultimate chest shape will not be affected.
Indentation
Due to removal of excess breast tissue the chest may develop an indentation deformity
Seroma
Following removal of breast tissue beneath the skin there will be a resultant "dead space". This space can gather fluid from the surrounding tissue. This fluid is known as a seroma. If excessive, this fluid can be simply removed in the clinic with a small needle. This does not influence the end chest shape.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Any general anaesthetic procedure is associated with a small risk of DVT which can potentially move to the lungs (Pulmonary Embolus). Here at Cosmetic Surgeons London we attempt to minimise this risk by the use of compression stockings before and after surgery, use of pneumatic compression devices during surgery and motivating the patient to mobilise as soon as possible after surgery. Overall, men undergoing breast reduction are extremely satisfied with their eventual result and can continue to enjoy an improved quality of life after surgery.
Overall, men undergoing breast reduction are extremely satisfied with their eventual result and can continue to enjoy an improved quality of life after surgery.
Useful Sources of Information for Male Breast Reduction
- https://www.baaps.org.uk/content/view/66/60/
- https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures/Gynecomastia.cfm
Summary
| Operation Time | 1 – 1.5 hours |
| Anaesthetic | General Anaesthesia |
| Nights in hospital | Day Case / 1 night |
| How much time off work? | 1-2 weeks |
| When can I exercise? | After 6 weeks |
Cosmetic Surgeons London always puts your comfort and safety first!
