Male Breast Reduction
All You Need to Know about Male Breast Reduction including different procedures, risks, costs, and recovery.
Male breast reduction is the removal of fat, and perhaps an abnormal amount of glandular tissue, from the breast area. Breast reduction is the definitive counter to gynecomastia - the enlargement of the male breast through a hormonal imbalance which is an affliction that affects a significant number of males. For men self conscious of their appearance with this problem, breast reduction is the answer and is a fairly straightforward process. Most men are pleased with the result, which generally sees better-contouring.
The procedure for male breast reduction involves liposuction to remove fatty tissues via a cannula, which is inserted through small incisions that the surgeon makes. These incisions are made under general anesthetic around the nipple and other areas of the chest. Glandular tissue can be removed at the same time from the area around the nipple. The result is a flatter and firmer chest and any stitches made will dissolve over time. Surgery takes between one and three hours, with the length of the procedure being determined by the age and weight of the patient, as well as their condition. Many patients can return home a few hours after surgery, yet some will need to rest up in a hospital for a day or two.
Recovery is usually a matter of weeks and there will initially be some bruising and swelling. How much depends on the amount of fatty deposits or glandular tissue the patient has had removed, the natural healing of a given patient, and, of course, how much poking around the surgeon did. A lycra compression garment will be supplied to help control the swelling and it should be worn day and night for at least three weeks after surgery. Patients can go back to work after three weeks and resume normal exercise after six, but it may be a couple of months before the final shape of male breast reduction surgery is apparent.
As to scarring, male breast reduction can sometimes result in permanent scarring of the breasts if they have had extensive glandular tissue removal, as well as a possible pigment change. There are also several risks to be aware of when thinking about having breast reduction surgery. Complications are rare with this procedure, but the risks of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic, infection, excessive bleeding, extended surgery, and of course unsatisfactory results, need to be considered. Rarer side effects include numbness or loss of breast sensation and excessive fluid loss, which could result in shock. Those who develop small spots around their nipples post-surgery can have these treated with an antibiotic cream.
Smokers thinking about having male breast reduction should really consider quitting over the course of the procedure, and especially during the recovery time, as smoking is known to have adverse affects on the recovery. It may take much longer for the body to heal, plus scars have also been known to be more prominent with smokers who have had breast reduction surgery. Patients may also opt for another procedure to put right any asymmetry, where the one breast may come out looking different from the other.
