Male Breast Reduction

Male breast reduction is a surgical procedure that helps men suffering from a condition known as Gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition that 40 to 60 percent of all men suffer from at one time or another. This condition causes men to develop enlarged breasts. This can occur in either one or both male breasts. Though it has been proven that certain drugs and medical problems do have an effect on the development of this condition, the origins of most cases are unknown.

Gynecomastia

This condition involves the formation of firm breast tissue in men. This tissue is usually no more than about 1 and ½ inches across and lies directly under the nipple. Many overweight boys and men believe they have this condition, but it is usually excess fatty tissue behind the chest muscles. Males that suffer from this condition will experience tenderness in the chest area.

This condition is usually caused by changes in hormones at puberty or as an effect of aging, however, there are some other factors that could lead to the development of this condition. They are:

All of these factors have been known to cause Gynecomastia in males. By avoiding illegal drugs as well as prescription and over the counter ailments, males can reduce their chances of developing this condition.

The Procedure

The male breast reduction procedure is somewhat similar to the female breast reduction procedure. Using a scalpel, the surgeon will simply cut out the excess glandular tissue that has formed under the nipple. Sometimes this surgery will be performed in conjunction with liposuction to guarantee removal of all extra tissue.

The surgeon will make an incision either in the armpit area or directly around the areola. Through this incision, the surgeon will cut out the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from around the areola as well as from the bottom and sides of the breast. If the breast is mostly made up of fatty tissue, the surgeon will opt for liposuction. This will require a smaller incision and less overall down time. Before performing liposuction, surgeons must make sure that the patient's skin has enough elasticity to form to the new contours of the chest. Most procedures combine scalpel excision and liposuction together.

Will It Hurt?

The procedure will most likely be performed on an outpatient basis, but patients will be put under general anesthesia. Whether patients undergo excision, liposuction or both, discomfort will be felt for several days following the procedure. This can be controlled by pain medication prescribed by the surgeon. After the surgery, the chest will be wrapped in elastic bandages in order to keep the skin in place to allow it to form to the new chest contours. The bandages can be removed a few days after the surgery and the stitches will be taken out a week to 10 days later.

All patients will experience swelling and bruising after the surgery. The bruising will fade but the swelling can last for several months. Strenuous movement, coughing, lifting and other actions will cause pain and may inhibit healing. It is important to take it easy for a while in order to allow the tissue to heal.

Risks

Like any surgical procedure there are several risks involved in male breast reduction surgery. They include:

All of these risks are rare and very treatable. Discussing each with your surgeon before your procedure will ensure that your male breast reduction procedure will be as successful as possible.

Results

The results of this procedure are drastic and permanent. It usually takes up to 3 months for the swelling to completely vanish but once it does, most patients have been very happy with their outcome. This surgery has the potential to radically change a patient's features. As long as patients keep their expectations realistic, they will be very satisfied with their results.