Gynaecomastia is a condition where male breast tissue is enlarged. The firm glandular part of the breast and/or fatty part of the breast can be enlarged. No obvious cause is found in many cases. Sometimes it is related to being overweight and some medical conditions and medications can cause gynaecomastia. These will be checked for during your consultation.
If you are concerned by having enlarged breasts, you may be suitable for gynaecomastia surgery.
If your gynaecomastia is caused by a medical condition or medications or if you are planning to lose weight or are overweight, it may not be the right time to have gynaecomastia reduction surgery. If you smoke or have significant health problems, this will need to be assessed and you may be advised to wait or not to have gynaecomastia reduction surgery.
There are variations depending on your individual anatomy and goals. The standard surgery is done under general anaesthesia although some people are suitable for surgery under local anaesthetic and/or sedation. Sometimes liposuction alone is enough to reduce your chest. If open surgery or open surgery and liposuction are needed, skin incisions are made around your nipples/areolae to allow your breast tissue to be reduced in size. The excess breast tissue is removed. If you have excess skin, larger incisions may be needed to reduce this. Drains are not routinely used. Stitches are usually absorbable except if an external suture net (haemostatic net) is used.
Gynaecomastia reduction surgery can be done on its own or in combination with other procedures. Common combinations include liposuction, abdominoplasty and other body contouring procedures.
1 to 2.5 hours depending on the extent of surgery. If other procedures are planned at the same time, the overall surgery time is longer.
You will have tapes on the incisions. You will need to wear a support vest for 6 weeks. Gynaecomastia surgery is done as a day case or with a one night stay in hospital. You can shower with care after 48 hours.
On average 1 to 2 weeks off work are needed. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity is allowed for 6 weeks. Some forms of exercise can be restarted at 4 weeks. Most exercise is restarted at 6 weeks. Driving is not allowed until you are safe to perform an emergency stop.
Unfortunately, complications can occur after all surgery and you need to be aware of this. Ms Nugent will do her utmost to reduce your risk as much as she can. This includes the health and procedure advice she gives you before surgery, the care and precautions she takes during surgery and the advice she gives you after surgery. Some of the complications that can happen include slow healing, infection, bleeding, poor scarring, asymmetry, pain, numbness or sensitivity in the skin, contour irregularities, seroma (fluid build-up), loose skin, contour dips, clots in the legs and lungs, loss of nipple sensation, loss of nipple or breast tissue.
Most patients who undergo gynaecomastia reduction surgery are very pleased with their results and it has a very high success rate. Success depends on being prepared for your surgery, choosing the right procedure, the surgery itself and recovering well. All steps in the journey are crucial!
Download the detailed information booklet on this page to read more and book a consultation to discuss your individual circumstances with Ms Nugent!
