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Breast Reduction
Male Breast ReductionGynecomastia, or excess development of breast tissue, occurs in as many as 40 - 60% of men. The cause is not always known, but the incidence increases with certain drugs (digitalis, anabolic steroids, Tagamet, and spironolactone), use of marijuana or alcohol, and obesity. This condition can cause extreme embarrassment, social inhibition and self-consciousness for boys and men who suffer from it. |
| Most common benefits of male breast reduction |
| This procedure can improve the appearance of the chest
in cases where diet and exercise have failed. The results of the procedure
are significant and permanent. Most men who have had surgery for gynecomastia
have been very satisfied with the results. Back to the top |
| How is male breast reduction done? |
| The type of procedure used by your surgeon will
depend on the degree of breast enlargement. The options include
removal of the tissue under the breast, or liposuction of the chest
wall. In both instances, a small elliptical incision is made on
the lower half of the nipple area (areola). For those men with tissue
that is more glandular in nature, all breast tissue directly under
the nipple is removed. In some cases, a repeat procedure is necessary to remove tissue that was missed during the first procedure. In a few cases, if there is a large amount of extra skin, it may be necessary to remove this tissue, which may result in a large scar. Generally, the procedure usually takes 1 ½ to 2 hours. |
| Do I have to stay at the hospital? |
| This procedure can be done in the hospital or
in an office surgical suite, depending on your preferences as well
as your surgeon’s. Many breast reductions are performed under
local anesthesia (like that used by dentists) combined with a sedative
to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and although you
may feel some tugging and mild discomfort, you won’t feel
any pain. Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia, in which
case you'll sleep through the entire operation. The longer the procedure
is expected to take, the more likely that general anesthesia will
be recommended. You may be allowed to return home within a few hours
of the surgery, and spend the night in the comfort of your own home,
or it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital so your
recovery process can be monitored by a medical staff. |
| How much pain is there? |
| Depending on the extent of surgery, pain can vary
from minimal to moderate, and will last from several days to two weeks. Back to the top |
| After gynecomastia surgery |
| Usually, the chest is temporarily swollen and bruised
after the surgery. You may also experience numbness or a burning sensation.
You will probably be given a compression garment to wear for several
weeks after the surgery. If you have severe pain or discharge in the surgical area, or if you experience muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling with fever, nausea or vomiting, you should call your doctor immediately. Back to the top |
| What is recovery period like? |
| Light activities can be resumed within a few days,
although your chest will be sore. Most people are able to return to
(sedentary) work within three to seven days, and resume more strenuous
activities in two to three weeks. You should avoid exposing the operated
area to the sun for at least six months to prevent permanently altering
the skin pigmentation. Routine physical activity and exercising (especially lifting, pulling and pushing motions) should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. This will help the scars to heal. Your doctor will advise you on the level of physical activity that is appropriate for you. Some degree of swelling and bruising may last for 3 to 6 months. Recovery time and privacy needs varies from person to person. If you are not too concerned if people are aware that you have recently had surgery, you may be able to return to light activities earlier. Back to the top |
| Long-term outcome after male breast reduction |
| After healing, most men are very happy with the results. Back to the top |
| How long do the results last? |
| The improvement from this procedure is permanent,
but weight gain or use of certain drugs could result in recurrence.
Back to the top |
| Cost of male breast reduction - gynecomastia |
| Costs for this procedure vary, depending on the doctor,
the location, technique used and the difficulty of the specific case.
The national average of 1999 surgeon fees for breast reduction was
$2,656 (Source: The American Society of Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery). Regional averages: New England states: $3,417; mid-Atlantic
states: $2,474; north central states: $5,196; south central states:
$2,599; and mountain/Pacific states: $2,426. These fees do not include
anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay and other related
expenses. You should ask your surgeon if your needs are medically
indicated, in which cast the costs may be covered by your medical
insurance. Back to the top |
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