What Is Gynaecomastia?
Gynaecomastia surgery, more commonly referred to as the ‘male boob reduction’ is a desired procedure amongst men with excess breast tissue in the chest area . While hormone imbalance is usually the cause of gynaecomastia, often no underlying cause is found. Male gynaecomastia can cause a great deal of embarrassment and many patients avoid social settings that may expose their visible signs of gynaecomastia. Patients who qualify for this surgery may have the surgery by itself, or they may be recommended a combination of gynaecomastia surgery and liposuction to achieve the ideal results.
Gynecomastia Surgery With Gary Ross
Gary Ross is an award winning and extensively accredited plastic surgeon operating in the Manchester area. As a member of the BAAPS, ABS, and BAPRAS, he is highly qualified in performing male breast reduction surgeries for patients worldwide. Patients for gynecomastia surgery can have peace of mind knowing they are in the hands of a surgeon with over 30 years of experience. Operating in the highly sought-out Alexandria Hospital in Manchester, patients are given the most professional and attentive levels of care from the 24-hour care staff.
Who Is Gynaecomastia Surgery Suitable For?
Gynaecomastia surgery is suitable for males who suffer with excess breast tissue which is yet to be resolved from non-surgical methods (addressing hormonal imbalances), not smokers, generally healthy males and of course those with realistic expectations. If you qualify for all of the mentioned and still experience discomfort due to excess breast tissue, contacting a surgeon for gynecomastia surgery is recommended. Take a look at our gynecomastia case studies to see if you resonate with past patients.
Who Is Gynaecomastia Not Suitable For?
Gynecomastia surgery is not suitable for patients who are significantly overweight, are frequent smokers, those with underlying health conditions, and those with unrealistic expectations. Often, gynecomastia can be mistaken for excess fat deposits which can be the result of obesity. In this case, weight loss may be recommended before opting for surgery to resolve these concerns. It is important to discuss with your healthcare provider the relevant pathways before resorting for gynaecomastia surgery, as you may not be qualified.
How Much Does Gynaecomastia Surgery Cost?
Following a consultation to see if you are suitable for gynecomastia surgery in Manchester, you will be provided with a quote that includes anaesthetic, surgeon and hospital fees.
What To Expect During Your Consultation For Male Gynaecomastia Surgery in Manchester
During gynecomastia surgery consultation, we will ask you questions about your health, lifestyle and personal desires, as different operations can be tailored to suit your needs and your desired outcomes. The risks and complications of male gynecomastia surgery will also be discussed with you. Patients should also use this time to be open and honest about their current health status, share questions and concerns, and of course make an informed decision as to whether they wish to proceed. The type of anaesthesia used will also be discussed at this stage, including whether liposuction will be sufficient for your individual needs.
Preparing for Gynaecomastia Surgery
Sufficient Health : Gynecomastia surgery can be performed under both local and general anaesthetic. Your health and safety is the most important thing for us here at Gary Ross, therefore any cosmetic surgery should be postponed if, for any reason, you are unwell. It is important that if anything changes in regards to your health, you get in touch with us so that we can best advise you on what to do next.
Medication Adjustments : Ideally, we recommend that you stop smoking around 6 weeks before your gynecomastia surgery in Manchester, as well as stop taking aspirin, herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory medications. This is because these habits and supplements are known to delay healing and thin the blood which puts patients at risk. Prior to your gynecomastia surgery in Manchester, you may need preoperative tests, which we can arrange if required.
Time Off Work : It will also be advised to take time off work to allow for optimal recovery. Heavy lifting and vigorous exercise will not be permitted for at least 6 weeks post op, hence why it is important to make workplace adjustments should these activities be required. The length at which recovery takes will differ from patient to patient, so this can be discussed in detail during your consultation for the male breast reduction.
Gynecomastia Surgical Process
Gynaecomastia surgery typically takes around 1-2 hours. The surgery starts with us placing anaesthetic fluid into the area in question and an incision, which is typically less than 1cm, is made either overlying or close to the area where fat needs to be removed.
In the case where body jet liposuction is combined in your gynecomastia surgery, fluid is infiltrated at the same time that the fat is removed. Once the fat has been removed, the small incision made will be closed using dissolvable stitches. Following liposuction and gynecomastia reduction, it may be necessary to perform a direct excision of any remaining excess tissue. The incision may need to be made around the areola and, in cases of severe gynecomastia, horizontal or vertical incisions, or even a combination of both, may be required. The nipple areola may need to be repositioned or even removed and replaced.
The need for extensive incisions is typically only required for those with excessive breast tissue in combination with excess skin and, in the majority of cases, gynecomastia surgery involving liposuction or an areola incision is all that is required. Any incisions made during gynecomastia surgery are typically closed using dissolvable sutures and a compression garment is typically applied.
After Gynaecomastia Surgery
If your gynecomastia surgery is performed under local anaesthetic, then you will need to mobilise straight away. Should you require a general anaesthetic, then you will return to the ward within an hour after your gynecomastia surgery, where you will also be encouraged to mobilise. Usually, no drains will be in place and you will be able to eat and drink as normal.
Following gynaecomastia reduction surgery, you will likely feel swollen and have general discomfort that typically requires analgesia. You may be able to go home the same day and should aim to keep the surgical area dry for the next week. We advise that someone picks you up following gynecomastia surgery in Manchester and have support in place at home following your discharge.
You will be reviewed in the Alexandra Hospital during recovery of your gynecomastia surgery in Manchester and have your wounds checked after a week. You should continue to avoid excessive straining in the first couple of weeks and continue to wear a support garment for around 4-6 weeks following surgery. After 1-2 weeks, you will be able to do light exercises such as walking, and low weighted movements.
Risks and Complications Of Gynaecomastia Surgery
The majority of patients who undergo gynecomastia surgery are delighted with the results and procedure, although common complaints include bruising, swelling and numbness. Uncommon complications can include infection, haematoma, delayed healing/scar necrosis/skin loss, seroma formation and thickened scar. Uncommon risks of general anaesthesia such as respiratory or cardiac compromise and deep vein thrombosis.
Liposuction removes fat cells and, although these cells do not come back, other fat cells can occur in the same area. It is unusual to have irregularities, although over time these can develop. Your body contour will also change and irregularities can become more apparent with any fluctuations in weight. Although tissue is removed during gynecomastia surgery, the aim is to reduce the volume, instead of removing all tissue. The final result of gynecomastia surgery takes a number of months to become apparent.
Gynecomastia, sometimes referred to as “man boobs” or “moobs” is a common condition in boys and men which causes breasts to swell and become larger than normal. There are a few things that cause gynecomastia, but one of the most common causes is a hormone imbalance.
Male gynecomastia can often be the result of an imbalance between the hormones oestrogen and testosterone. Although all men produce some oestrogen, typically they have higher levels of testosterone, which stops oestrogen allowing the breast tissue to grow. Oestrogen causes breast tissue to grow and, when there is an imbalance between the two hormones, this can lead to male gynecomastia.
Another common cause of gynecomastia is obesity. Being overweight can increase levels of oestrogen and if you are overweight, then you’re also likely to have higher levels of body fat, which can cause breast tissue to enlarge. Puberty is another common cause of gynecomastia in young men as, during puberty, hormone levels can vary.
If the levels of testosterone drops, then oestrogen can cause the breast tissue to grow. Most teenage boys will experience some degree of breast enlargement during puberty, but as hormone levels begin to stabilise, the effects can subside.
Male gynecomastia can also be the result of underlying health conditions, side effects of certain medication or simply getting older.
Although there are some things you can do to reduce the appearance of male gynecomastia, often the effects can have mental implications, particularly if your confidence has been affected. This is why gynecomastia surgery is often considered by a number of patients because, although gynecomastia can go away naturally, it can take time to see results. Finding the most effective treatment for gynecomastia depends on the cause. If gynecomastia is the result of being overweight, then you can improve your lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthier diet, getting ample sleep and reducing alcohol consumption, but it can’t reduce actual gynecomastia tissue. If you believe you may have a hormone imbalance which is the cause of male gynecomastia, then making some changes to your lifestyle can help to reduce the appearance of male gynecomastia over time, but not cure it completely.
Although you will see improvements in your general health and physical appearance if you increase the amount of exercise you do, exercise and diet alone aren’t leading contributors to reducing the appearance of gynecomastia.
If you are overweight, then losing excess weight can help to minimise the appearance of gynecomastia and help to improve your overall body image, but as male gynecomastia isn’t excess fat and is, instead, glandular tissue, then exercise can’t resolve this entirely.
Non-surgical treatments can be helpful in reducing the appearance of male gynecomastia, such as reducing levels of body fat, maintaining a balanced lifestyle and taking hormone regulators., however gynecomastia surgery is the only way to fully correct the appearance of gynecomastia.
Male gynecomastia surgery offers an immediate and certain reduction of gynecomastia. Gynaecomastia surgery offers permanent results because, during gynecomastia surgery, liposuction and tissue removal are used to get rid of the glandular tissue, which can’t grow back over time.
If you are interested in a male breast reduction, then we will first invite you in for a consultation to see if you are suitable for surgery. If you are suitable, then you will be provided with a quote that includes surgery, anaesthetic, surgeon and hospital fees.
Gynecomastia surgery takes between 1-2 hours to complete and you may need to stay in hospital overnight to ensure proper healing. Male gynecomastia surgery is typically carried out under general anaesthetic. First, a cut is made around the nipple. Then, either using liposuction, a surgical knife or combination of the two, excess glandular tissue is removed from your breast. If a lot of tissue needs to be removed, then your nipple may need to be repositioned, but this will be discussed during your consultation. Once the surgery is complete, the area will be dressed and bandaged and you’ll then be taken to recovery.
It can take several weeks to fully recover from male gynecomastia surgery and you may need to take a week or two off work, depending on your job. You will likely be sore, swollen and bruised around the surgery site for a few weeks and will be required to wear a compression garment to help support your chest whilst it heals for a few weeks.
We’ll ask you to come back for post-surgery check ups following gynecomastia surgery where we can check how your wounds are healing. This will help us to see how long your dressings need to be on for, too. After 1-2 weeks, your stitches will either dissolve or be removed.
We recommend that you avoid strenuous activities and exercise, stretching and heavy lifting for around 3 weeks following gynecomastia surgery and it can take up to 6 weeks to fully return to your normal activities. We recommend that you avoid driving until it is no longer painful or uncomfortable to wear a seatbelt, which can be several weeks following gynecomastia surgery.
After having male gynecomastia surgery, most men will have a scar around their nipples, but if you have undergone large gynecomastia reduction surgery, then this may result in vertical or horizontal scars across the breast crease. Before gynecomastia surgery, we will discuss the surgery plan so that you are aware of any potential scarring beforehand. It can take several months, but scars will heal over time.
