Male Breast Reduction

Take the following steps to prepare for removal of excess breast tissue:

• Stop smoking at least six weeks prior to the surgery. Smoking interferes with the recovery and it is important to avoid it for months before and after the surgery.
• Eat well and take a balanced diet.
• Start exercising and try to maintain a toned body before the surgery. The toned you are, the better and quicker you will recover from the procedure.
• Avoid taking blood-thinning medications and herbal and dietary supplements two weeks before the procedure or as advised by the doctor.
• Discuss the risks of the surgery with the doctor.
• Discuss your expectations out of the procedure and understand what you are likely to experience after the surgery.
• Increase your intake of fluids. Do not dehydrate yourself.
• Undergo the tests advised by the surgeon and discuss the test results.

There are two approaches to conduct breast removal in males. It can be done either through liposuction or tissue excision. Both the procedures are conducted on an outpatient basis and rarely require a hospitalization stay.

Male Breast Reduction Through Liposuction

Liposuction is performed if you are obese and have excessive fat tissue underneath the skin. A cannula fixed to the vacuum pump is inserted through the incision and suctioning is conducted to remove the subcutaneous fat. The following steps are performed:

• Local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia is administered prior to the procedure.
• An incision on either side of the chest is made. The exact location of the incision depends on the targeted areas from where the fat must be removed.
• The excess fat or glandular tissue is removed through the incision.
• While removing the fat from the targeted areas, the surgeon sculpts the chest to give it a new look and contour.
• A drainage is applied for a few days.
• The incision is closed with the help of sutures and stitches.

Male Breast Reduction Through Tissue Excision

Patients with stretched and sagging skin around the breasts are mostly required to undergo this procedure. The following steps are performed:

• Local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia is administered.
• Incisions are made on either side of the chest, depending on the target areas.
• A greater amount of glandular tissue or skin is removed from the incisions as compared to the liposuction approach.
• A drainage is applied.
• The incisions are closed with the help of sutures and stitches.

• As the anaesthetic effect starts to wear off, you may start experiencing pain.
•  Your surgeon is likely to prescribe you a few medications to manage pain during the first few days.
• The drainage tubes can be removed immediately after the procedure or left as if for a day or two.
• Any signs of inflammation or redness should be immediately reported as it may indicate an infection.
• Placement of ice packs will provide pain relief to you after the surgery.
• You may be given chest binding wear to maintain pressure on the chest, to prevent fluid accumulation in the breast cavity.
• You may return to work after one week of the surgery.
• You can back to exercising gradually or as advised by the surgeon.
• You should take sponge baths till the incision would heal, to prevent the occurrence of infection.
• You should keep the arms elevated to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the breast cavity.

Q. Can men get breast cancer?

A. Yes, they can, although rarely.

Q. What causes gynecomastia?

A. Enlarged breast tissue in males is not common. However, it may appear due to genetic reasons or some other identifiable factors.

Q. Is it compulsory to undergo surgery for gynecomastia?

A. No, gynecomastia is an elective surgical procedure. It is for improving the aesthetic appearance.

Q. Will I have pain after the surgery?

A. No, surgery will be done under anesthesia. Analgesic medications are administered to manage post-surgical pain.

Q. Is liposuction compulsory during the surgery?

A. No, liposuction is necessary only if you have excessive fatty depositions underneath the skin

Q: What are the complications of gynecomastia reduction?

A: The complications of breast reduction in males include wound infection, hematoma (accumulation of the blood in the breast cavity), seroma (accumulation of clear serous fluid in the tissue spaces), breast asymmetry, necrosis of the nipple, and deformed contours of the breast.