Plastic Surgery, Breast

Men can have overdeveloped or enlarged breasts at any age. This is called “gynecomastia,” and can be due to obesity, hormonal changes, heredity, or even the use of some medications.

Gynecomastia can have a significant negative impact on a man’s self-image. Sometimes, men avoid certain physical activities or even intimacy due to their embarrassment over the condition.

How is the male breast reduction procedure done? First, a board-certified plastic surgeon, will administer anesthesia. Then, liposuction or excision (removal) will be performed. Liposuction is used when the excess breast tissue is composed mostly of fat. It involves the insertion of a long, thin tube called a “cannula,” which will move back and forth to loosen the fatty tissue before suctioning it out. Excision is used when tissue is more glandular in nature, and when excess skin must be removed as well. Sometimes, a combination of excision and liposuction is used. Incision placement and length varies depending on the condition.

What is the male breast reduction surgery recovery like? As you recover from male breast reduction surgery, dressings or bandages will be placed over your incisions, and you may be required to use an elastic bandage or support garment to reduce swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess fluid. You will receive instructions on how to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, what medicines to take, and what specific things to look for at the surgical site or in your general health.

What results can I expect from male breast reduction? You’ll be able to see your male breast reduction results right away, and over time, the swelling and incision lines will fade. In a few months, you’ll be able to see the final results of your surgery. Those results should be permanent. Be aware that if your gynecomastia occurred because of obesity or because you used certain medicines (like steroids), you will need to remain free of these substances and maintain a healthy weight.

Breast reduction surgery reduces the size and changes the shape of the breasts by removing fat, skin, and other tissue. It can also reduce the size of the dark area around the nipple (areola).

Why is breast reduction surgery done? Breast reduction surgery is usually done for one or more of these common reasons:

• To reduce the neck or back pain caused by large, heavy breasts 
• To remove limitations on physical activities 
• To change one's appearance (large breasts may be out of proportion to the rest of the body, or may lead to embarrassment in younger women)

How is the breast reduction procedure done? Breast reduction surgery is usually done in a hospital or surgical center and can take 3-5 hours. Liposuction (fat removal) is sometimes performed as well. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will make one or more cuts in each breast, remove skin, fat, and excess tissue, and stitch the skin back together. Sometimes the nipple and areola have to be repositioned.

What is breast reduction surgical recovery like? Right after surgery, gauze will be placed over your incisions and wrap your breasts in an elastic bandage or support them with a special surgical bra. Small tubes may be placed to drain fluid overnight. There are no sutures that need to be removed.

You'll probably have some breast pain at first, as well as swelling and bruising. It's important to wear a surgical bra 24 hours a day to reduce the swelling and support your breasts while they heal.

You can usually go back to work and social activities within a few weeks, although you may need to avoid more vigorous activities and exercise for up to a month. You'll have visible scars after breast reduction surgery, but they can usually be covered by a bra or swimsuit. Most women who've had breast reduction surgery are highly satisfied with the procedure.

Will I be able to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery? Possibly. Breast reduction surgery makes it impossible for some women to breastfeed in the future; but not for all.

There may be times when neither a breast lift alone nor a breast augmentation alone provides the desired results. In those cases, having both surgeries may be the best option.

Why would I want to have two procedures? Breast augmentation won't fix drooping breasts, and a breast lift won't increase the size of your breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and be lifted, you may want to have a breast lift along with breast augmentation.

Can a breast lift and breast augmentation procedures be done at the same time? Sometimes they can. We can help advise you on the best timing for the procedures.

Over time, a woman's breasts can lose their firmness and shape due to pregnancy, heredity, weight fluctuations, or aging. A breast lift can tighten and restore the breast tissue to its former shape and position. New data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that breast lifts have been performed twice as often as breast augmentation procedures since 2000.

How is the breast lift procedure done? A variety of incision patterns are used in breast lifts. We will recommend the incision pattern that is best for you and your body type. After administering anesthesia, the selected incision will be made and then lift and reshape the underlying breast tissue. Repositioning the nipple and areola, removal of excess skin, and tighten the remaining skin will be done as incisions are closed.

What is breast lift surgical recovery like? Immediately after your procedure, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings and you will receive an elastic bandage or support bra to reduce swelling and provide support during healing. You'll be given specific instructions regarding how to care for your breasts, what medicines to take, and when to follow up.

Should I get a breast lift if I still plan to have children? It's best to wait until childbearing is completed before you get a breast lift procedure performed. Pregnancy causes changes in the breasts that can minimize or reverse the improvement provided by a breast lift.

In breast augmentation surgery, the size of the breasts is increased by using implants. This can replace breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy. Breast implants are also used in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction procedures

How is breast augmentation surgery done? After administering anesthesia, incisions will be made in inconspicuous locations to reduce visible scarring. Implants are inserted either over or under the pectoral muscle, depending on a number of factors. Layered sutures are used to close incisions in the breast tissue, and skin adhesive or surgical tape is used to close the skin.

What is the breast augmentation recovery like? Immediately after your procedure, our specialized team will wrap your breasts in gauze dressings and give you an elastic bandage or support bra to reduce swelling and provide support during healing. You may be allowed to go home in several hours. First, you'll be given specific instructions regarding how to care for your breasts, what medicines to take, and when to follow up. You'll probably need to wear a support bra 24 hours a day for the first few weeks. You can resume normal activity and exercise once you are instructed that it's safe to do so.

Are breast augmentation results permanent? No. Breast implants do not last a lifetime, so it's important to be evaluated yearly for general breast health and ensuring implant integrity. Also, aging can lead to drooping or sagging of the breasts. You may wish to have a breast lift after a period of time.