Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and glandular tissue, which is caused by a condition known as gynaecomastia. By undergoing treatments, patients can restore a more proportional chest that’s firmer, flatter and has improved contours.
Gynaecomastia is common and varies from a small breast bud beneath the nipple to small but full breast development with excess skin. This is a common procedure in A/Prof Magnusson’s practice and something he has lectured on to his peers at scientific meetings.
Male Breast Reduction:
Undertaking cosmetic surgery (also known as aesthetic plastic surgery) is an intensely personal and private decision that can have positive effects for the correctly selected patient. Success comes from helping individual patients clarify their goals and then creating a bespoke plan to achieve them. With a combination of communication, experience and knowledge, A/Prof Mark Magnusson has helped many patients across Brisbane, Toowoomba and Gold Coast. Let A/Prof Magnusson help you with your aesthetic journey.
Male breast reduction procedure
Pseudogynaecomastia can develop in association with weight gain. Weight loss may help address the problem for this group however additional loose skin will commonly persist and some will choose to have this addressed. True Gynaecomastia is due to breast gland development and is common during adolescence and may resolve on its own. In the case where a patient is still an adolescent, A/Prof Magnusson may recommend waiting a couple of years before considering surgery. If the breast development is quite significant then hormonal blood tests and potentially a review by an Endocrinologist could be important. The condition can reflect underlying hormonal abnormalities in a minority. An Ultrasound examination may also be beneficial especially if there are additional symptoms such as bleeding or discharge from the nipple, focal areas that are different or expansion on only one side in an otherwise stable breast shape and volume. Although less common, breast cancer can develop in men.
Surgical procedures that reduce the size of the breasts can involve surgical excision of the breast tissue (subcutaneous mastectomy), liposuction of the fatty tissue and less commonly, a reduction in the amount of skin in more severe cases.
The average male breast reduction incorporates both liposuction and subcutaneous mastectomy and takes up to two hours to complete and will require a general anaesthetic. During the procedure, a small incision is made under the nipple and an additional small incision for liposuction below the pectoralis muscle. A/Prof Magnusson aims to make the incision as small as possible in an area that keeps the resulting scar concealed on the edge of the areolar. Through this incision, excess fat and glandular tissue are excised. The incisions are then covered with a dressing and wrapped to hold the skin in place. Since this procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, an overnight stay in hospital won’t be required.
In some instances, drains may need to be placed under the skin to remove any excess blood and fluid following surgery. The drains are usually removed three to four days after your procedure.
Male breast reduction candidates
The ideal candidate for male breast reduction is in good health and have breast tissue that is fully developed/no longer growing. Body weight is stable. If gynaecomastia has been caused by specific medication or supplements, you will need to cut them out prior to surgery. Patients are also encouraged to stop smoking at least 6 weeks before their procedure to aid in the healing process. During your consultation, A/Prof Magnusson will ask about medications that may contribute to this problem including the use of steroids and supplements for building muscle volume. He will enquire about the history of your problem. After examination and discussion you may require additional investigations if they haven’t been performed by your GP. He will also discuss treatment options and ensure you have realistic expectations about what can be achieved including a balanced discussion of risk and benefit, which is essential for any type of surgical procedure.
Gynaecomastia results
Male breast reduction patients notice an improvement in the chest and breast contour and size immediately. In the weeks following surgery, the appearance of your chest will continue to improve as swelling subsides and your pectoral muscles become more visible under the skin. The benefits of a male breast reduction include a flatter chest with a more muscular shape rather than a rounder and fuller shape. Surgery may include the removal of excess skin which makes the area more stable and less mobile with movement. The procedure doesn’t have much pain and in fact it is important to remember not to get too active too quickly as it takes 3 weeks to get close to normal strength beneath the skin. Introducing too much movement in the first 2 weeks increases the risk of complications and most especially fluid collection under the skin (seroma). Most patients return to work within just one week following surgery as long as they are able to avoid significant exertion and repetitive movements.
frequently asked questions
How much does a male breast reduction cost?
The cost of male breast reduction surgery can differ based on the precise nature of the problem each patient is experiencing and the selected intervention and whether it is present on one or both sides although this problem is usually bilateral (both sides). For some, patients experiencing mild pseudo gynaecomastia or a small localised gland requiring excision, may not require a procedure that takes about an hour. At the other end of the scale, patients following massive weight loss with a large volume of tissue, excess skin, laxity of the side of the chest as well and a nipple out of position may consider a procedure that may take 3 hours. Surgeon, assistant, hospital and anaesthetist fees will all need to be taken into consideration before a final cost can be determined. Medicare and private health insurers usually cover a portion of the costs – A/Prof Magnusson will take you through the details of this process.
What can I expect during my recovery?
Almost all patients need a general anaesthetic for this surgery and it is performed as a day case in an accredited facility. Following your surgery, you will need someone to drive you home. Patients can expect pain and swelling during their recovery but this can easily be managed with the prescribed pain medication. A compression garment will need to be worn for at least 4 weeks to reduce swelling. Most patients can return to work within a few days but taking a week to recover at home is ideal, especially if your job is more physically demanding. Any strenuous exercise or fast repetitive movements need to be avoided for several weeks until the chest area has healed completely. While a loss of sensation is not uncommon, the effects are hardly ever permanent and will gradually subside over several months. It’s essential that patients maintain a healthy lifestyle following their procedure if they want to retain their results. In general patients will return to most activities at about 4 weeks except the most strenuous which are recommenced at 6 weeks.
Will there be scarring after male breast reduction?
Scarring is an inevitable effect of surgery, including male breast reduction. While most of the incisions will be concealed in the edge of the areolar or by the natural contours of the chest muscles (if skin is removed), some scarring might still be visible, especially when a skin excision or nipple repositioning is required. There are steps that you can take after surgery to decrease the visibility of scarring, including the use of silicone gel strips, massage and protecting the incisions from the sun. Time is the best healer of scars and although these longer scars go through a period of easy visibility and take longer to settle they improve over time. Scarring is one of the considerations to balance when choosing to have surgery.
Is it possible for gynaecomastia to return after surgery?
Even though surgery aims to provide permanent results, there is still a chance that breast tissue or fat can grow back following male breast reduction. One of the reasons why gynaecomastia may return is because of ongoing hormonal imbalances. Another is if excess fatty tissue forms again after surgery with weight changes, resulting in pseudo gynaecomastia. If the gynaecomastia was caused by an underlying medical condition and it isn’t treated prior to surgery, it could have the same effect later on again. Steroid usage can also cause gynaecomastia to return after a male breast reduction procedure, which is why patients are discouraged from using it to gain muscle.
Can weight loss cure gynaecomastia?
Losing weight will definitely improve the appearance of your chest. If the problem is pseudogynaecomastia (fat tissue not gland) weight loss may resolve the concern but since gynaecomastia is linked to excess breast tissue and usually a combination of breast tissue and fat, diet and exercise will only get you so far. Even if you manage to reduce the excess fatty tissue in the chest area, residual breast tissue may still warrant removal.
Are there any risks associated with male breast reduction surgery?
Any type of surgical procedure carries some degree of risk. Risks associated with male breast reduction include infection, bleeding after surgery and haematoma (collection of blood), fluid collection beneath the skin where the breast issue was removed (seroma), contour irregularities and asymmetry (residual differences side to side). Any infections should be treated immediately with an antibiotic. In the case of asymmetry, it’s very rare for men and women to have a perfectly symmetrical chest area, regardless of whether they’ve undergone surgery or not, residual changes usually reflect pre-existing differences and are subtle not requiring attention. A/Prof Magnusson will take you through all of the potential risks associated with male breast reduction during your consultation.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Men with overdeveloped breast tissue with or without skin laxity in the pectoral area can be suitable candidates for surgery if they’re of good overall health and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can accomplish. There really aren’t any age limits associated with male breast reduction as long as your health is good.