When the glandular tissue of the male breast swells and becomes overdeveloped, it is called gynecomastia. There are a number of reasons for gynecomastia to occur. It may be a response to an excess of estrogen or a lack of testosterone, and can occur in babies, teens and older men. Gynecomastia can also be caused by things like heredity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, or drug use.
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Gynecomastia surgery, called reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure that reduces male breast size while providing a more contoured chest.
While some men seek out pectoral implants as a way to enhance the size of their chest, men who undergo Gynecomastia procedures wish to remove the breast tissue for a flatter chest. Many of our patients have told us that their Gynecomastia has impaired their self-confidence. With a Gynecomastia procedure, we can address the excess skin and issue to create a smoother, flatter appearance to the chest. Gynecomastia can cause impaired self-confidence and in some cases emotional discomfort. When it’s more pronounced, men may avoid certain physical activities or intimacy to hide their condition. SixSurgery can help reduce breast size and enhance the chest contours.
Men in good health who have large breasts that are not caused by side effects from medication are good candidates for gynecomastia reduction. You should have reached a stable weight and your breast development should have stabilized. Candidates for reduction mammoplasty include men who:
The traditional technique for reduction mammoplasty uses an incision around the areola to open the skin and remove the underlying breast gland tissue. This procedure is designed to remove mostly breast gland tissue and a little amount of fat. It is not a complex procedure and is considered generally safe, but requires you to avoid exercise and physical strain for two weeks following the surgery in order to minimize the risk of developing bleeding in the surgical site and allow for the skin to heal properly.
The process begins with an initial consultation with the SixSurgery team. You will have an opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations about the gynecomastia reduction procedure with the doctor, and ask any relevant questions you may have.
The SixSurgery team will listen to your needs, expectations and your desired outcome from the gynecomastia reduction surgery. You will be able to tour our state-of-the-art surgical facility located in the beautiful Fairmont Royal York Hotel. During this time you will also be able to meet with our caring staff that will be part of your team.
Gynecomastia reduction is done either with local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or under general anesthesia. The SixSurgery team will discuss this with you during your consultation and recommend what is best for your particular situation.
Using the minimal scarring technique, the SixSurgery team will make an incision towards the armpit. A special cannula is inserted in the incision, and using back and forth motions the fat is loosened from the surrounding tissue in the breast, which is then suctioned out.
The key to a successful outcome using this surgical approach is for the patient to have skin that has some elasticity, so as the healing process moves forward the skin conforms to the new contour of the reduced breast. In some cases where there is no skin elasticity, as with older patients, or when there is a significant amount of excess skin because of extremely enlarged breasts, additional surgery to excise the skin may be required.
The incision is then bandaged, and an elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support the new chest contour as it heals. A small thin tube may be placed under the skin to drain any excess fluid that may collect.
See our Gynecomastia Before and After Photos for some of our amazing results.
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When the gynecomastia reduction surgery is completed, there will be some swelling and bruising. You will have some discomfort, which can be controlled by the pain medication prescribed by the SixSurgery team. You may also be required to wear compression garments or elastic bandages for several weeks to help reduce swelling, as well as compress the skin to the new body contour. While results will be seen almost immediately, swelling may distort the actual results. Final results will take several months to subside.
Most patients can return to work or school in 2-3 days. Light exercise can begin after 2 weeks, with full exercise and activity returning in about one month. Swelling and bruising are common, but will subside over a period of weeks.
The SixSurgery team uses a minimal scarring technique for gynecomastia surgery that leaves an inconspicuous scar, unlike the traditional techniques that require an incision around the nipple. This technique greatly improves on the traditional surgery, by offering:
The technique involves a small incision towards the armpit. It is the ideal technique for breast enlargement that is mostly due to excess fat. The small incision technique can also be used to remove breast gland tissue, using specially designed cannulas developed for gynecomastia surgery.
Men in good health who have large breasts that are not caused by side effects from medication are good candidates for gynecomastia reduction. You should have reached a stable weight and your breast development should have stabilized.
There is really no specific preparation, but you should quit smoking prior to the procedure, as smoking can seriously impede the healing process. The SixSurgery Team will review your medications with you during your consultation, and may recommend stopping certain medications before your procedure.
Generally, gynecomastia reduction takes 1-2 hours.
A small incision will be made toward your armpit, and a cannula is inserted under the skin to break up the fat, which is then suctioned off. Drains may be placed in the incision areas to reduce fluid buildup and swelling. A compression bandage or garment will be placed in order to reduce the swelling.
Swelling will be present, but most patients return to work or school in 2-3 days. You can resume mild exercise in about 2 weeks, and full activity or exercise in about one month.
There will be some discomfort following the surgery, which can be managed with the pain medicine prescribed by The SixSurgery team. It should diminish after the first few days.
As with all surgeries, there are some risks involved. These risks include bleeding, infection, swelling and blood clots, but they are rare. Our operating suite is state-of-the-art, and we do everything we can to minimize the risks associated with surgery. Most importantly, the SixSurgery team has various protocols in place to prevent complications from occurring.
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