A common condition among men all over the world is gynecomastia, more commonly known as male breasts. It is a condition where the chest area is enlarged due to a number of reasons, including hormonal imbalance.
Gynecomastia is especially common during puberty, and the condition may resolve on its own in these cases. However, gynecomastia will not go away on its own during adulthood and instead needs a surgical solution: male breast reduction surgery.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
The surgery done to reduce the size of male breasts is called a male breast reduction surgery, or male reduction mammaplasty. Apart from flattening out the chest area, it also tones it, giving it a contoured shape. The surgery does this by removing excess fat, glandular tissues, and skin.
If a patient with severe gynecomastia undergoes surgery, the areolae may have to be repositioned and resized for aesthetic purposes. This is because the breasts tend to droop because of the weight from excess breast tissues, stretching out the areolae and skin.
The elasticity of your skin and the amount of excess tissue contributes a great deal to the recovery speed. With a large amount of excess tissue, the incision will have to be larger, meaning the recovery time will need to be longer.
There are different kinds of incisions used during male breast reduction surgery. Based on the size of the breasts, the surgeon will adopt one from the following:
• A Webster Incision, where the surgeon makes the incision under the areola. This is the most common method used.
• A minimally invasive method where the surgeon makes a small incision at the edge of the areola. It is usually used after liposuction to remove the excess tissue.
Am I A Suitable Candidate?
If you are a man with enlarged breasts, you are likely eligible for a male breast reduction surgery. It is important that you are in good general physical and mental health and have a normal body weight. The better your skin elasticity, the better the results of the surgery will be for you and the faster you will heal.
If you are under 18 years old, it may be best to wait until after puberty to get this surgery. This is because during these periods and at this age, you are still going through hormonal changes and your chest could still be developing.
What Can I Expect from the Surgery?
Approximately three months after your male breast reduction surgery, the best results will start to show. By this time, all mild pains and discomfort you may have experienced will be gone. Post-surgical swelling and bruising will have ameliorated.
Your breasts will be of normal shape and size, your chest more toned and contoured. In other words, your chest area will look more masculine. This can greatly improve self-confidence.
Set Up Your Appointment to Get Started
If you’re excited to finally get your male breasts reduced and out of your life, the next step is setting up a consultation. Dr. Lu-Jean Feng, a board-certified plastic surgeon, will be happy to walk you through the procedure and show you before-and-after photos. Contact us today to set up your consultation.
