PROCEDURE DETAILS
Whilst certain medical conditions can cause the appearance of a man’s chest to look more feminine, this is relatively uncommon.
Despite this people considering surgery should always see their GP for a full assessment including blood tests to check hormone profiles prior to proceeding. There are also certain drugs that can cause male breast appearance such as some anti-heartburn medications, anabolic steroids or cannabis. These should all be stopped prior to considering surgery as sometimes gynaecomastia resolves having done this alone.
However, most male breast surgery patients have no known cause after all these investigations and their only option is to consider an operation. The type of surgery that is most appropriate really depends on the degree of excess breast tissue to be removed and whether there is also too much skin. For minor cases it is sometimes possible to address with liposuction alone, which usually involves 2-3 small scars on each side, all less than 1cm. However, this does not always remove the glandular component that sits just behind the nipple very well. Many men get a better result if this is removed as well, which involves a small scar under the areola. In more severe cases it may be necessary to remove skin and the scars for this depend on how much skin needs to be removed.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Mild cases can be done whilst awake under local anaesthetic, with or without additional sedation, do not require the use of surgical drains and patients can home the same day.
I sometimes use surgical drains in people who have more servere gynaecomastia and these cases usually require a general anaesthetic, with or without a night in hospital. You can get in the shower to wash as soon as you like, but should avoid soaking your scars in water for prolonged periods during the first 2 weeks such as in deep baths or whilst swimming.
The duration of swelling depends a little on what you choose to have done. All scars improve considerably over the first 3 months, but will take a year to settle completely.
RECOVERY AT A GLANCE
KEY FACTS