Male breast reduction surgery is often shrouded in mystery for those men who may be interested in learning more about the procedure. Enlarged male breast tissue can be an embarrassing experience for men, despite how common of an occurrence this condition is. An estimated 40% of men suffer from varying degrees of gynecomastia. The condition can be remedied through breast reduction surgery. 

Is gynecomastia the right option for you? 

Gynecomastia is treated with the surgical removal of excess glandular tissue and fat from the chest. It will reduce and change the shape of the breasts. In some cases, the surgeon will need to remove excess skin. The result will be a more masculine contour to the chest. 

The cause of gynecomastia is not always clear, but obesity, some medications like anabolic steroids and those containing estrogen could be to blame in some cases. 

The breast reduction technique 

The technique used for your breast reduction surgery will be based upon your anatomy, the preferences of your surgeon and your result expectations. Your surgeon will ensure that scarring is kept to a minimum, by using small incisions that are hidden in the areola region. 

Your doctor will provide individualized gyno surgery information, but generally speaking two types of procedures are used. Men who have issues with enlarged glandular tissue will have the breast tissue removed directly. Men who have more fatty breast tissue to remove will have liposuction performed. Some may need a combination of both procedures in order to get the best in results. 

The consultation with your surgeon 

The first step towards your male breast reduction surgery is to schedule a consultation with the plastic surgeon. Your consultation is your opportunity to openly discuss your concerns and goals with your surgeon. Working with the surgeon and discussing your hopes for results will ensure that you have a realistic understanding of what is possible with the procedure. 

Each patient is unique so your surgeon will work to create the treatment plan that will ultimately prove to be best for you. 

Be sure to provide your surgeon with a comprehensive medical history. You should include any information pertaining to previous and current medical conditions or surgical procedures that you’ve had. Any medications and herbal supplements should also be discussed, as some may need to be temporarily halted prior to any surgical procedure. 

Getting prepped for your surgery 

Your consultation will be your opportunity to discuss any concerns that you may have, and as this condition can cause loss of body confidence, to receive reassurance that the surgery will be an effective solution. Once you’ve had all concerns and questions addressed and have your gynecomastia surgery scheduled, you’ll be provided with comprehensive pre-operative instructions and information that will let you know what should be done prior to your surgery. Your team will provide you with instructions related to being prepared prior to the surgery and to being prepared for the recovery period at home. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and to help you at home for a few days until your discomfort has eased up. 

Recovering from gynecomastia surgery 

As with all surgeries, it’s important that you follow the instructions provided to you by your surgeon. This will help to promote your healing after the surgery and will improve the progress that you see towards getting the results that you’ve been looking forward to. It’s also important to attend each of the follow-up appointments that your surgeon schedules with you, so that your progress and results can be monitored. 

Most patients are able to return to work within a week after surgery, with the understanding that physical activity needs to be limited. At the six or eight-week mark, based upon individual results, patients will be able to resume their normal physical activities.