Male Breast Reduction
Male breast reduction is designed to treat gynecomastia, a condition in which male patients exhibit overdeveloped or visible breasts. While gynecomastia does not usually present any medical urgency, enlarged breast tissue in men can be the source of many psychological symptoms, such as a lack of confidence, low self-esteem, and an increased risk for depression and anxiety. Dr Vaneshri Chetty-B, our experienced plastic surgeon, offers the male breast reduction procedure as a long-lasting solution to treat gynecomastia and flatten the contours of your chest.
Who is a Candidate For Male Breast Reduction?
Men who are interested in male breast reduction should be healthy enough to undergo surgery and exhibit realistic expectations about what the procedure can accomplish. Good candidates for surgery also typically experience:
- Visible or bulging breast tissue
- Tenderness and/or a lump behind the nipples
- Puffy or swollen nipples
Contrary to popular belief, enlarged male breasts are very common and typically caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body. The condition naturally resolves for many men throughout puberty, but overdeveloped breast tissue that lingers into adulthood is described as gynecomastia.
How is Male Breast Reduction Performed?
Male breast reduction is performed as an outpatient procedure at our Johannesburg practice. The surgery typically utilises general anesthesia. Depending on whether your gynecomastia is caused by an excess of fat or glandular tissue, Dr Chetty-B can perform male breast reduction using tissue excision and/or liposuction.
For some patients, extracting fat deposits via liposuction may be enough to level out the planes of the chest and help you achieve a more masculine look. This involves inserting a narrow cannula into tiny incisions around the chest, allowing Dr Chetty-B to break up and suction out excess fat. That said, tissue excision may be necessary in cases wherein glandular (breast) tissue or loose skin is present, or if the nipples/areolas need to be reduced or repositioned. With this technique, incisions are usually made along the lower border of the areola for virtually undetectable post-surgical scarring.
What is Recovery From Male Breast Reduction Like?
The recovery period after male breast reduction is often described as very tolerable. Swelling, bruising, and soreness are common for the first week after surgery, and discomfort can last relatively longer if your procedure incorporated tissue excision rather than solely liposuction. In any case, oral pain medications should be enough to manage these reactions until they naturally resolve. Most patients take at least one week of downtime before resuming their daily routines, although exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities should be avoided for approximately four weeks. Your new chest contours should be noticeable right after your procedure and results generally improve as your body continues to heal.
If you would like to improve your gynecomastia, Dr Chetty-B can perform male breast reduction to help you reclaim a more masculine aesthetic. Contact The Forever Institute to schedule a consultation or to speak to a member of our team today.