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Guide To Cosmetic Surgery - Male Breast Reduction

Male breast reduction surgery

This is becoming an increasingly popular procedure for men. We usually associate breast reduction surgery with women but lately, men are turning to surgery to remove excess fat and glandular tissue.

This procedure is used to treat gynaecomastia – a condition in which men develop a feminine looking chest. As you can imagine this condition can cause a great deal of stress and embarrassment for the man in question and is even worse for teenage boys.

In fact it mainly affects teenage boys – up to 70% report this problem as compared to only 1% of adult men. This suggests a link to puberty as boys do experience a slight growth in breast tissue although this usually settles down.

What causes this problem? The main reasons for this are hormonal (puberty), excess weight gain (‘man boobs’), excessive alcohol consumption and certain drugs such as cimetidine (anti-ulcer drug) and digoxin (cardiac drug). Even the use of hormones, such as oestrogen, which are injected into meat, can be to blame.

There is also the risk of breast cancer in a tiny minority of cases. If one side of the chest area is enlarged and painful then it may be due to this. If so then get this checked out by your GP.

Many men with this condition will have tried diet and exercise regimes but with no success. In that case, male breast reduction surgery can be an option.

The surgery involves the removal of fatty glandular tissue in the male breast. This results in a flatter and masculine looking chest.

Suitability for male breast reduction surgery

This will be decided during the consultation between you and the surgeon.

Generally, your age, the reasons for wanting this surgery and current state of health are the determining factors.

As with any cosmetic procedure, your medical history will be taken and gone through very carefully. The surgeon wants to be sure that you are fit and healthy for this surgery.

So, if you have any allergies, are undergoing any medical treatment now are have done so in the past or are taking any medication then please mention this.   

It is important you do so because if you don’t then this may put you at greater risk for surgery. For example, if you are taking aspirin or Warfarin then these can increase the risk of bleeding during or after surgery. 

If you had surgery before then also mention this.

This doesn’t mean that you will be ruled out from surgery: it may be the case that you are at greater risk of complications or side effects than another patient.

These are all things that you need to take into account when making a decision. The surgeon may feel that the risks outweigh the benefits and that you might be better with an alternative – if one is available.

If you are advised against surgery then there will be a good reason for this.

The best candidates for surgery are those men who are in good health, non-smokers, have good skin elasticity and are realistic about the outcome of the procedure.

Younger men can have better results than older men mainly because they have firmer and more toned skin.

This surgery is not advisable for those patients who are overweight or obese. You will be asked to try dieting and exercise first to shift this weight before being considered for this surgery.

Preparing for surgery

You will be given a list of instructions during your consultation which will include pre-surgery preparation.

The surgeon will want you to be fit and healthy for your procedure so this means following these instructions to the letter.

If you are a smoker then you will be asked to stop this before and after the procedure. Have your last cigarette two weeks before surgery and wait for two weeks after surgery until starting again. It would be better if you could give up smoking completely but we do recognise that this can be a difficult thing to do. If you are thinking of giving up then the surgeon will be able to help. He or she can suggest a stop smoking programme or other sources of help.

You will find that any cosmetic surgeon will refuse to operate if you are still smoking around the time of your surgery.

Are you taking any prescribed medication or any ‘over the counter’ medicines such as ginseng, valerian or garlic? If so then you will be advised to stop taking these beforehand. And, not to resume them until advised to by the surgeon.

The reason for this is that some medications can react with any drugs that may be given to you on the day of your surgery. They can also increase the risks of complications and may interfere with the results of the procedure.

What you might want to think about is preparing a list beforehand of all the things you need to do before, during and after your surgery. The ‘before’ section can include the time of your last meal and what to pack the day beforehand.

Other things to consider are asking someone to drive you to the hospital and back home again and being on hand when you are back at home.

If you have a partner then ask them to take over the normal day to day jobs whilst your recover. This means doing the cooking, ensuring the house is cleaned and if you have children, to keep an eye on them. If you have a pet then ask them to look after it until you are able to do so.

If you are able to carry on taking any medication then make sure you have an ample supply during your recovery period. This also applies to painkillers.

Other aspects include ensuring you have enough reading material, light snacks, bottled water, dressings, gauze and scar reducing cream and not forgetting, the TV remote control within easy reach.

Even though these apply after your surgery it can help to arrange these things well in advance.

The male breast reduction procedure

There are two types of procedure which depend on what is causing your condition. If you have breast development as a result of excessive weight gain (body fat) then liposuction will be performed.

If your breast growth is a result of an abnormality within the glandular tissue then surgical incisions are required. Liposuction will be performed as well but the glandular tissue will have to be removed via a surgical incision.

The duration of the procedure will depend on whether the problem is that of excess body fat or abnormal growth of breast tissue.

The procedure can take from 1 to 3 hours depending on the extent. It is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic although a local with sedation can be used. This will depend on your surgeon’s advice and your personal preference. If you have a general anaesthetic then you are looking at staying in hospital for 1 to 2 days.

Excess weight gain: the surgeon will make a series of small incisions around the areola before inserting a small tube or cannula. This cannula is pushed into the fat layers which break down the fat cells. The cells are then removed via a suction pump or syringe (attached to the cannula).

Abnormal growth of glandular tissue: liposuction is carried out as normal. The surgeon then makes small incisions around the areola or the armpits before trimming away the excess glandular tissue. Any excess skin will be removed as well.

In either case the surgeon will leave a small amount of tissue underneath the nipple as this will prevent it from sinking in on itself.

A surgical drain (small tube) will be inserted into the incision to remove excess fluid.

The incisions are then closed with a series of dissolvable stitches.

You will be given a special support garment, made of Lycra which will help to reduce any swelling or bruising around the treated areas.

This garment must be worn for 3 weeks after surgery.

Recovery

You can expect some bruising and swelling of the treated areas and you may feel tired as well. If you have had a general anaesthetic then you will need a couple of days to recover from this. You may find that you feel a bit ‘groggy’ or slightly nauseous after it so get plenty of rest.

Take painkillers if you experience any discomfort.

Every patient is different when it comes to the recovery period but you are looking, on average, at 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure you have arranged this time off work with your employer beforehand.

The first couple of days will probably be the worst but most people find that they are back on their feet after just a couple of days.

We can only stress that you must get plenty of rest and allow your surgical wounds chance to heal. This means watching television, reading or listening to music. Do not lift or carry anything and don’t overstrain yourself.

Place any items such as tins, bottles, toiletries etc within easy reach. Place these at hip level so you don’t have to bend down to reach them.

Wear loose comfortable clothing such as baggy shirts or t-shirts and jogging style bottoms. Keep a few extra blankets close to hand as many patients experience chills following their procedure.

Keep wearing the special support garment that you have been given for at least 3 weeks. You will be expected to wear this round the clock for the first week and then night time only for the remaining 3 weeks.

Avoid exposing your chest to sunlight for at least 6 months. Direct sunlight can affect your scars pigmentation which means that they will turn darker with exposure. Use a total sunblock if you do go out in the sun.

If you play sport or exercise then it will be 6 weeks before you are able to resume these activities.

There is an aftercare service as part of your treatment process. This consists of a series of follow up visits in order to check upon your progress.