Male Breast Reduction - Your 10 Step Guide to Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia, despite how common it is can be a very embarrassing condition for most men who choose to hide their condition under baggy tops and shirts never wanting to reveal their need for male breast reduction or wear anything which may display their perceived 'abnormality'.
For some men years of embarrassment and psychological damage have led them to opt for the surgical option.
Male Breast reduction is now the most common form of cosmetic surgery for men and it's important for these men to realise that they are not alone.
This article will help you feel more at ease with the male breast reduction procedure by give you a 10 step guide to what the procedure entails.
Step 1 Before you opt for surgery your doctor will usually assess your condition and make sure that there are no underlying medical concerns which may need to be treated.
Once your physician is happy that there is nothing for him to be concerned about he will refer you to a specialist to perform the operation.
Step 2 Your male breast reduction specialist will examine you to determine the type of tissue that your breasts are made up of.
For most adults there are two forms of tissue present - glandular tissue and adipose (fatty) tissue.
Your specialist will perform different techniques depending on the type of tissue present.
Step 3 Your specialist will sit down with you and talk you through all the risks associated with your procedure - a good surgeon will ensure that you are entirely comfortable before going ahead with the procedure.
Step 4 Surgery is performed either with sedatives and local anaesthetic, or under general anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will anaesthetise you according to type of tissue removal that he will be performing during the procedure.
Once you are anaesthetised your surgeon will mark the areas where he will make his first incisions.
Step 5 If the condition is caused mainly by excess fatty tissue (pseudo-gynecomastia) then liposuction will probably be used.
The liposuction technique breaks down fatty cells down and sucks them out via a hollow tube (cannula).
A saline solution (similar to body fluid) that contains a tissue-reducing element is introduced to the required area under the skin.
After around half an hour the solution is dispersed evenly within the tissue.
The fat cells then become detached and can be removed.
Step 6 Small incisions are made at the areola (nipples) to allow the cannula to enter; the fatty tissue is then sucked out via this tube.
After the process is finished the incision is stitched.
Step 7 Following liposuction any remaining hard tissue becomes more visible and depending on the look that you are after your surgeon will remove this hard glandular tissue also.
Small incisions are made at the edge of the areola or at the armpit, and glandular tissue is then cut away using a scalpel.
For severe gynecomastia, usually found in more mature patients or for those patients who have lost an excessive amount of weight, excess skin can also be removed to help create a smoother more firm looking chest.
Step 8 After the tissue is removed a drain is put in place to ensure that excess fluids or blood does not build up in the body.
Usually a pressure garment should be worn for around one to four weeks and during this time as with any surgical procedure the chest will remain tender.
Painkillers can be used to alleviate any discomfort.
Your surgeon will talk you through the best ways to look after yourself following your procedure.
Surgery is usually a day surgery and can take 1-3 hours depending on the individual patient.
Step 9 You will be asked by your surgeon to return within a specified period for a follow up and to see how the surgery is healing.
A good surgeon will always provide you with a follow up appointment to view your progress and assess for any potential complications.
Step 10 Once the surgery is fully healed you can go back to your normal routine without the stigma of gynecomastia.
Your surgery will leave you looking good but also feeling great about yourself.
Hopefully this article has given you a good guide to the procedure and helped you understand further your decision to invest in male breast reduction surgery.
For some men years of embarrassment and psychological damage have led them to opt for the surgical option.
Male Breast reduction is now the most common form of cosmetic surgery for men and it's important for these men to realise that they are not alone.
This article will help you feel more at ease with the male breast reduction procedure by give you a 10 step guide to what the procedure entails.
Step 1 Before you opt for surgery your doctor will usually assess your condition and make sure that there are no underlying medical concerns which may need to be treated.
Once your physician is happy that there is nothing for him to be concerned about he will refer you to a specialist to perform the operation.
Step 2 Your male breast reduction specialist will examine you to determine the type of tissue that your breasts are made up of.
For most adults there are two forms of tissue present - glandular tissue and adipose (fatty) tissue.
Your specialist will perform different techniques depending on the type of tissue present.
Step 3 Your specialist will sit down with you and talk you through all the risks associated with your procedure - a good surgeon will ensure that you are entirely comfortable before going ahead with the procedure.
Step 4 Surgery is performed either with sedatives and local anaesthetic, or under general anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will anaesthetise you according to type of tissue removal that he will be performing during the procedure.
Once you are anaesthetised your surgeon will mark the areas where he will make his first incisions.
Step 5 If the condition is caused mainly by excess fatty tissue (pseudo-gynecomastia) then liposuction will probably be used.
The liposuction technique breaks down fatty cells down and sucks them out via a hollow tube (cannula).
A saline solution (similar to body fluid) that contains a tissue-reducing element is introduced to the required area under the skin.
After around half an hour the solution is dispersed evenly within the tissue.
The fat cells then become detached and can be removed.
Step 6 Small incisions are made at the areola (nipples) to allow the cannula to enter; the fatty tissue is then sucked out via this tube.
After the process is finished the incision is stitched.
Step 7 Following liposuction any remaining hard tissue becomes more visible and depending on the look that you are after your surgeon will remove this hard glandular tissue also.
Small incisions are made at the edge of the areola or at the armpit, and glandular tissue is then cut away using a scalpel.
For severe gynecomastia, usually found in more mature patients or for those patients who have lost an excessive amount of weight, excess skin can also be removed to help create a smoother more firm looking chest.
Step 8 After the tissue is removed a drain is put in place to ensure that excess fluids or blood does not build up in the body.
Usually a pressure garment should be worn for around one to four weeks and during this time as with any surgical procedure the chest will remain tender.
Painkillers can be used to alleviate any discomfort.
Your surgeon will talk you through the best ways to look after yourself following your procedure.
Surgery is usually a day surgery and can take 1-3 hours depending on the individual patient.
Step 9 You will be asked by your surgeon to return within a specified period for a follow up and to see how the surgery is healing.
A good surgeon will always provide you with a follow up appointment to view your progress and assess for any potential complications.
Step 10 Once the surgery is fully healed you can go back to your normal routine without the stigma of gynecomastia.
Your surgery will leave you looking good but also feeling great about yourself.
Hopefully this article has given you a good guide to the procedure and helped you understand further your decision to invest in male breast reduction surgery.