Male Breast Reduction Surgery
 

Enlarged male breasts is a common problem a lot of men are suffering from. “Gynecomastia” is the medical term for abnormal breast development in males. It is a result of excess fat/breast tissue or both. Genetic factors, obesity, hormonal imbalance, the consumption of certain drugs or steroids can be the cause of the condition. It can occur in one side of the breasts or both sides. Sometimes “Gynecomastia” occurs upon puberty but the breasts return back to their normal appearance by age 20. In other cases it persists making the man feel embarrassed and uncomfortable with showing his breast area. It also creates a subject for ridicule by friends and colleagues especially at a younger age. A male breast reduction surgery corrects the breast enlargement problem.
 

What is a Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

Male Breast Reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the undesired size of enlarged male breasts. This procedure can reduce the size of the breasts by suctioning the fat via liposuction, or by creating an incision around the areola and reducing the breast glandular tissue. In the cases where the breasts are enlarged to a very big extent, a bigger scar is needed to remove excess tissue and skin that was stretched due to the large size of the breasts.

Check non-surgical fat removal 
  

Are You a Good Candidate for Male Breast Reduction?

You would be a good candidate for breast reduction if your breasts are enlarged or droopy. You may feel that your breasts resemble in shape the breasts of females. You may notice that while wearing shirts your breasts show like 2 bulging areas in the areola area. You may be thin and no matter how you exercise the fat in your breast area persists. A male breast reduction surgery can address and correct these issues. A male breast reduction surgery can be performed starting age 21.
 



Preparing for Your Surgery

Before your surgery, Dr. Metwally will perform a complete evaluation with you. According to your case and the amount of fat, tissue and skin that needs to be removed, Dr. Metwally will explain to you the procedure that best serves your case. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from our center the day of the surgery. You should wear loose fitting clothes and bear in mind that your outfit may get soiled. Do not wear anything metal, contact lenses, or bring valuables to the operating room.

Duration of the Surgery

It takes around 1 to 2 hours for Dr. Metwally to perform your breast reduction procedure depending on the amount of fat, tissue and skin that needs to be removed.

Anesthesia Used

The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia (you will be asleep throughout the procedure) especially if a large amount of breast tissue and skin that need to be removed. You will be ready to leave after 2 to 3 hours from the completion of your surgery.
 

During Your Surgery

During your surgery if your breast enlargement is composed of fat only, Dr. Metwally will use the least invasive procedure, which is removing the fat by liposuction. In this case a very small incision less than 1 cm in width will be made through which a thin suction tube is inserted to suction the fat out. After the suction is performed the incision is sutured. If your breast enlargement is primarily glandular in nature an incision usually 2 cm wide is made at the lower half of the areola and then glandular tissue is removed. After that the incision is sutured. If the breasts have become too large that the skin has stretched, a bigger scar usually the shape of a key hole is made through which fat, glandular tissue and excess skin is removed, then the incision is sutured.
 



After Your Surgery

After your surgery you will notice that you have a plaster bandage on your breast area for the first 5 days. Once the plaster is removed you can shower. You will be asked to wear a compression garment covering your breast area for 4 weeks. You will feel a bit sore for the first 3 days. Dr. Metwally will prescribe to you an antibiotic along with a pain killer to prevent infection and alleviate pain. Swelling and bruising persist for almost 2 weeks, and then start subsiding gradually. Stitches for liposuction will be removed 1 week after your surgery. For glandular tissue and skin removal the stitches are removed after 2 weeks and you will have drains to drain any fluids from your breasts for 5 days. Most people can go to work after 3 to 5 days. Vigorous sports and strenuous activities should be avoided for a month.

Seeing Your Result

How soon the result of the breast reduction starts to show often varies from one person to another depending on many factors. Some people heal faster than others for reasons like age, skin color and skin type. Other factors are related to the level of correction made in the surgery like the amount of fat suctioned, glandular tissue and skin removed and the surgeon’s skills. With liposuction you should expect to start seeing results after 4 to 6 weeks. For glandular tissue and skin removal you can see significant results upon the completion of your surgery, however swelling and bruising will be present. According to Dr. Metwally’s observation of his own patients, most of them see the final result after 8 to 12 weeks from their surgery. The incision scar usually takes 12 to 18 months to fade totally.