Male Breast Reduction
Through male breast reduction surgery, Dr. Rukmini Rednam provides a permanent solution for men who struggle with gynecomastia, a condition that causes the overdevelopment or enlargement of breast tissue in men. This condition is seen in men of any age, though most commonly in adolescents.
Gynecomastia Surgery, otherwise known as Male Breast Reduction, or Reduction Mammaplasty, is a surgical breast procedure that reduces breast size in men, flattening and enhancing the masculine chest contours. Additionally, if a patient’s case of gynecomastia is severe, causing the skin and areola to stretch or sag, Dr. Rednam will correct this during the procedure as well.
Gynecomastia Surgery Procedure
A reduction mammoplasty is performed under either IV sedation or general anesthesia. There are two techniques typically used to treat gynecomastia, depending on the patient’s skin laxity, the amount of breast glandular tissue, and fat makeup. For patients who primarily have extra fatty tissue within their breasts but good skin quality, liposuction may be used. For patients with extra breast tissue and/or skin, Dr. Rednam uses excision techniques to remove it. If a patient has significant fatty tissue and excess skin, Dr. Rednam may use both liposuction and excision to treat the symptoms.
Liposuction Technique
During a reduction mammaplasty using liposuction, Dr. Rednam inserts a cannula (thin, hollow tube) through several small incisions along the breast tissue. She then moves the cannula back and forth to loosen excess fat, and uses vacuum suction to remove it from the incision sites. This procedure is ideal for patients who have only excess fat, as the scars from the procedure are minimal in appearance, and the time it takes for them to heal is minimal.
Excision Technique
To correct more pronounced gynecomastia, Dr. Rednam must excise the excess skin or breast tissue through an incision. An incision may be placed around the areola hiding it well for smaller removals or at the base of the pectoralis muscle, within a natural shadow, for larger tissue removal. The excision technique is also used if areola reduction or nipple repositioning is necessary, as this allows Dr. Rednam to manipulate the position and size of both during surgery.
Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery
After surgery, Dr. Rednam dresses patients’ incisions with paper tape and provides a compression garment to help minimize swelling and support the new chest contour. In some cases, a drainage tube is inserted under the skin to drain excess blood or fluids from the surgery site.
Patients can expect to experience some discomfort, bruising, and swelling following gynecomastia surgery. Dr. Rednam will prescribe pain medication to ease discomfort, which should subside in the first few days. For optimal healing, Dr. Rednam recommends that patients restrict physical activity for the first month after gynecomastia
Trusted Source
Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Go to Source
surgery.
Results of Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Most patients see results right away, though swelling is expected and will take time to resolve. Final results (full chest contour without dark incision lines or swelling) can initially be seen 3-6 months post-operation but can take up to 1 year.
In most gynecomastia cases, the results are permanent. However, if the gynecomastia was the result of the overuse of prescription medications, drugs (i.e. steroids), or weight gain, patients must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight to maintain results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gynecomastia FAQs
Gynecomastia is a medical condition characterized by excess growth of breast tissue in males, not the appearance of male breasts that can be attributed to weight gain and reversed with diet and exercise. True gynecomastia is present in males regardless of their weight.
In most men, gynecomastia begins during puberty and can be attributed to hormone changes. Fluctuations of hormones in middle age may also cause gynecomastia. In patients where gynecomastia is not caused by hormones, the
Trusted Source
Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia)
The Cleveland Clinic
Go to Source
cause
may be:
- Liver failure and/or cirrhosis
- Tumors
- Glandular disorders
- Kidney failure
- Certain medications
- Certain street drugs
How common is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is more common than many people think. In fact, scientific
Trusted Source
Patient education: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men) (Beyond the Basics) Available: https://www
Glenn D Braunstein, MDBradley D Anawalt, MD
Go to Source
research
shows that up to 70% of males experience some level of gynecomastia during puberty and roughly 65% of men have some degree of gynecomastia around middle age.
According to
Trusted Source
2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Go to Source
research
conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, roughly 25,000 men underwent male breast reduction surgery in the United States in 2018.
Every surgical procedure carries some risk, but risks and complications are much lower when working with an experienced and skilled surgeon such as Dr. Rednam.
Trusted Source
What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Go to Source
Risks
associated with gynecomastia surgery are typical surgical risks, including infection, bleeding, fluid accumulation, and poor wound healing.
Before performing gynecomastia surgery, Dr. Rednam will study your medical history and conduct an examination to determine the cause of your gynecomastia. In general, men who have excess breast tissue and are in good overall health with a stable weight may be strong candidates for male breast reduction surgery.
Contact Dr. Rednam
If you are a man who struggles with excess breast tissue or gynecomastia, male breast reduction surgery with Dr. Rukmini Rednam may help you achieve more masculine contours and enhance your self-esteem. To learn more about surgical options for male breast reduction, please contact us to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Rednam.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/gynecomastia-surgery/recovery. Accessed February 4, 2021.
2 The Cleveland Clinic. Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia). Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16227-enlarged-male-breast-tissue-gynecomastia. Accessed February 4, 2021.
3 Glenn D Braunstein, MDBradley D Anawalt, MD. Patient education: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men) (Beyond the Basics) Available: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gynecomastia-breast-enlargement-in-men-beyond-the-basics. Accessed February 4, 2021.
4 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Available:https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2018/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2018.pdf. Accessed February 4, 2021.
5 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/gynecomastia-surgery/safety. Accessed February 4, 2021.
Dr. Rukmini Rednam has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated: