OUR PROCEDURES & SERVICES
Beverly Hills Male Breast (Gynecomastia) Surgery Breast/Male-Specific
The Procedure
Male breasts (gynecomastia) can develop at any age but frequently occurs at times of hormonal change, like puberty. It can also be due to heredity, disease, or the use of certain drugs. Gynecomastia can be unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral (both sides). Male breasts are most commonly noticed during puberty. For most men, they go away on their own as they become physically mature. In a good percentage of candidates, they don't resolve completely and male breast reduction surgery is considered
Gynecomastia can negatively affect a man's self-confidence to the point where he may avoid certain physical activities or intimacy. Many men with gynecomastia resort to wearing loose, baggy tops to hide their shape and avoid going to the beach or gym for fear of taking off their tops. There is a social stygma associated with having male breasts- many derogatory names are attributed to them- being improperly associated with a loss of masculinity.
To reduce and flatten the male breast tissue, liposuction, excision of glandular tissue, or both may be performed to correct the condition and enhance the chest contours. The approach Dr. Chiu of Beverily Hills will use depends on the amount of glandular tissue, adipose (fat) tissue, and shape of the breasts and chest, including the underlying muscle and bone structure.
The Method(s)
In male breasts due to excess adipose tissue, liposuction alone may be performed to obtain the desired results. The type of liposuction that is best for the patient will depend on the amount of fibrous tissue and glandular tissue present. Frequently, there is a firm, tender mound of breast tissue under the areola that will need to be excised. In these cases, an incision along the border under the areola will be made to remove the firmer glandular tissue. Most of the time, the skin will shrink back down, providing a pleasing, masculine shape and contour to the chest. If it does not, resection of the redundant skin may be necessary to obtain an appropriate result. This may be recommended as part of your gynecomastia surgery or to be performed at a later date.
Ideal Candidate
As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Male breast reduction surgery is most commonly performed in the young adult male, between 18 and 30 years of age, when they have not observed any improvement, even after physical maturity is reached.
Prior to surgery, a detailed history and physical examination is performed to try to determine the underlying cause for gynecomastia. Depending on the cause, gynecomastia may be corrected through alternative medical treatments.
Surgery and Anesthesia
Male breast reduction may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or in a hospital. Patients will not be able to drive themselves home following the procedure and should arrange for transportation to and from surgery. Should Dr. Chiu recommend it, the office staff can assist in arranging specific post-surgical care. Gynecomastia surgery can be performed under general anesthesia in about two hours.
Recovery
After surgery, you will recover at home for 4-7 days before returning to work. There may be drains in place under the arms to remove excess fluids and minimize swelling of the surgical area. While they are in place, you cannot shower or take a bath, only sponge-bathing or use of cleansing wipes. The drains will be removed in 3-5 days. You will also have a compression vest to help minimize the swelling and contour your chest. Dr. Chiu may give you specific instructions concerning your care, topical or oral medications to take, and recommendations for activities and exercises.
Certain drugs, taken pre-operatively, can lead to increased post-surgical bleeding and hematomas (large amounts of blood trapped beneath the skin). Aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin are common drugs that increase bleeding. Vitamin E, red wine, and some herbal supplements can also caused prolonged bleeding. Specific pre and post operative instructions for male breast reduction surgery will be provided to you prior to procedure day.
Post-operative swelling will begin to improve after a week. By two weeks, many patients are able to begin light activities and see significant improvement in the shape of their chest. Contouring and definition will continue to to improve over the months to follow. Dr. Chiu will clear you for activities and customize your care at follow up appointments, making recommendations to optimize your results.
Risks
Possible risks of male breast reduction surgery include uneven contours, rippling or loose skin, damage to skin or nerves, loss of nipple sensation, infection, blood and fat clots, excessive fluid loss or fluid accumulation, risks from anesthesia, excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications, thermal burn or heat injury (from ultrasound-assisted technique), and persistent swelling. The key to a successful recovery is adherence to your surgeon's instructions. A successful gynecomastia surgery is performed by a surgeon who is skilled, responsible and has an excellent aesthetic eye.
Your New Look
It may take up to several months for your swelling to completely disappear and for your new chest contours to be revealed. Gynecomastia surgery helps to remove your male breast tissue, to slim and reshape your chest, to improve your pre-existing body contours and proportions, and in doing so, to enhance your self-image. With continued commitment to healthy diets and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue and breast tissue should be permanently maintained. However, significant weight gain can often reverse liposuction results of the fatty tissue. Dr. Chiu and the staff at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery are dedicated to helping you maintain your new look, with counseling and recommendations of diet and exercise programs.