Gynecomastia

Source: https://www.plasticsurgery.org

Gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size in men, flattening and enhancing the chest contours.

In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.

Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia is technically called reduction mammaplasty.

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition of overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men that can occur at any age. The condition can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity or the use of certain drugs.

Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self-confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.

Gynecomastia is characterized by:

  • Excess localized fat

  • Excess glandular tissue development

  • Sometimes excess breast skin

  • Presence unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)

What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery?

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of gynecomastia surgery are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

Gynecomastia surgery risks include:

  • Reactions to tape, suture materials, glues, topical preparations or injected agents

  • Anesthesia risks

  • Bleeding (hematoma)

  • Blood clots

  • Breast asymmetry

  • Breast contour and shape irregularities

  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent

  • Damage to deeper structures—such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles and lungs—can occur and may be temporary or permanent

  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

  • Fatty tissue found in the breast might die (fat necrosis)

  • Fluid accumulation (seroma)

  • Infection

  • Persistent pain

  • Poor wound healing

  • Possibility of revision surgery

  • Unfavorable scarring

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

 

What are the steps of a gynecomastia procedure?

A gynecomastia procedure includes the following steps:

Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

Liposuction technique

In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions.

The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction.

There are various liposuction techniques that may be used; the technique most appropriate in your case will be defined prior to your procedure.

Excision technique

Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference.

Combination of liposuction & excision techniques

Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision.