Surgical reduction of male breasts
Gynaecomastia is a condition affecting men where they develop abnormally large mammary glands. Its causes are varied, and not limited purely to obesity. Increased breast size which is solely the result of fat deposits (adipose tissue) is sometimes referred to as pseudogynecomastia or lipomastia.
While gynaecomastia is not physically harmful in and of itself, it can sometimes be an indicator of a more serious underlying illness. Consultation with your doctor is necessary before seeking any treatment as testing for these other root causes is advisable.
Even though the symtpoms of gynaecomastia can usually be hidden quite easily in every day life, shyness about your appearance can lead to withdrawl from social activities and to depression. It is important to discuss these issues with your doctor at the same time, as surgery may not be the best or only solution.
Male breast reduction surgery usually takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on the complexity of the procedures involved. Some procedures will only involve liposuction, others require glandular tissue removal, and others again require both.
The procedure itself will vary depending on the underlying condition and the desired results. The position of the scars is also dependent on which procedures are needed. Liposuction, glandular tissue removal, and repositioning of the nipple are all common in male breast reduction, but not necessary in all cases. Typically the procedure will be carried out under general anaesthetic, although it is become more common to use just local anaesthetic in certain cases.
You may be able to leave the clinic or hospital on the day of the surgery, but normally there is a stay of between 1 and 3 days. Recovery times vary from person to person, but typically range from 2 to 6 weeks. It is important to avoid strenuous exercise during your recovery period.
As with all major surgery, there are risks involved. Consultation with your doctor(s) should include a frank discussion of these risks, and you should be happy with the answers to any questions you have before proceeding with surgery.
The risks involved can include scarring, loss of sensation in the breast and nipple, asymmetry of the breasts, infection, blood clots, and other typical risks involved with surgery.
