Male Breast Reduction

What Is Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia)?

The term comes from the Greek words "gynae" meaning "woman" and "mastos" meaning "breast". In practical terms, this means abnormally large breasts on men. Gynaecomastia is the medical term for this condition. Gynaecomastia in men is a relatively common and embarrassing condition. It is estimated that between 40-60% of men are affected to different degrees.

It is relatively common in adolescent boys, due to hormone imbalance, and most of the time symptoms disappear naturally. If this does not happen, young men become burdened with a social handicap that can cause deep embarrassment and social humiliation.

The enlargement that occurs in later life is usually due to a deposit of fat in the breasts. This can be brought on by medication prescribed for other medical conditions or by a hormonal imbalance. Enlargement may also occur in men who undertake body building or rigorous sporting activities if they take anabolic steroids.

Breast enlargement in men can have profound social consequences. Feelings of shame and loss of masculinity are common, and even simple social acts such as taking your shirt off at the beach can cause profound anxiety. Through surgery your breasts really can be restored to normal size and appearance.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

The procedure is performed either under local anaesthetic or "twilight" sedation, or a general anaesthetic depending on the size of the area to be treated. An overnight stay is therefore rarely necessary and recovery time is greatly reduced. The surgeon will make a small incision is made at the edge of the aureola - the pink disc around the nipple. In adolescent men the overgrown tissue is then simply excised, in older men liposuction may be used to remove the fat. In this case the surgeon will use a very fine tube (cannula) and a vacuum pump to perform the procedure. In either case scarring is minimal and barely noticeable.

What Are the Risks and Likely After-Effects?

Cosmetic surgery, like any other surgery, involves a "trauma" to the human body and there are risks associated with any procedure. Each person's body is different, and your general health, level of fitness, age and genetic profile will all have an effect on the speed of healing and also on the risk of side-effects.

If you smoke, drink alcohol, are overweight and/or take drugs for medical or other reasons, the risk of complication during and after surgery can be greatly increased. Smoking, in particular, is discouraged because it increases the risk both of infection and thrombosis (blood clots).

After surgery most people experience a degree of swelling, bruising, tiredness and numbness. A smaller number may also encounter infection and/or some bleeding around the scar area. Regular use of prescribed painkillers is usually sufficient to manage any post-operative symptoms. Like liposuction there is lumpiness and swelling underneath the skin that takes a few months to clear and settle.

What Will Happen After the Operation?

Post-Op
Your surgeon will see you when you have come round from the anaesthetic to check that all is well, and will discharge you providing you are fit to return home. You will be given medication and full post-operative instructions along with appropriate telephone numbers in case you need to contact us at any time. A special elasticated garment will have been applied to your chest wall after surgery and this must be left in place for the next 4 weeks. Some pinkish discharge may be experienced.

Week 1-2
During the first week after surgery, you should not remove the garment at all. You should try to resume normal daily activities as soon as possible: general mobility will help speed up the healing process. You should NOT, however, undertake any strenuous activity or exercise. You will see the nurse after 7-10 days so that she can check your progress and remove your dressing and stitches. Bruising and swelling will continue to diminish.

Weeks 6 -10
By this stage you should be able to see good results but full results will take 6 months to appear. Bruising and swelling will have disappeared. You may find that there is still some irregularity or lumpiness in the chest wall, but this will settle down after a couple of months, aided by regular massage. You will see your surgeon once more at between 8 and 10 weeks after your operation for a full post-operative consultation.

Full Post-Operative Cover
We're confident that you will be delighted with the results. For that reason, we guarantee that we will provide post-operative cover for a full three years after your procedure. It's our way of ensuring that you have peace of mind and confidence in Andie Mcleans Clinic.

Minimal Scar Techniques

Here at Andie Mcleans Clinic, our surgeons specialise in minimal scar techniques.

Nipple Lift:
Involves small scars around half the nipple only.

Circumareolar Mastopexy:
The breast is lifted with a small scar around the nipple. No other scars are made.

Suspension Uplift:
Involves moving and suspending the whole breast through a small incision around the nipple.

Vertical Scar Breast Reduction:
Involves liposuction to reduce the volume of breast and small scars to tighten and lift it.

Combination With Breast Implant:
May be needed in certain uplift cases to achieve firmer breasts and better results.