Breast reduction surgery isn’t just for women.
Men who feel self-conscious about their chest can have a procedure calledgynecomastiasurgery to reduce enlarged breast tissue.
Here’s what you better know if you’re considering this plastic surgery procedure.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
What is Gynecomastia Surgery?
Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of breast tissue in men.
It differs from excess fat in the breast because gynecomastia describes swollen glandular tissue.
Most cases occur during puberty.
Newborn babies and older men may also experience gynecomastia.
Instead, they may focus on addressing the cause or choose to accept their body as is.
Oftentimes, gynecomastia will resolve on its own within six months to three years.
Surgery for gynecomastia is also known as reduction mammaplasty.
As a form of cosmetic surgery, gynecomastia procedures are tailored to the patient.
Your healthcare provider will perform testing to rule out other causes of enlarged breasts and determine appropriate interventions.
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you may have an infection.
If you’re self-conscious about your chest, gynecomastia surgery can boost your self-confidence when going shirtless.
How to Prepare
Keep these pointers in mind as you get ready to have gynecomastia surgery.
Due to having anesthesia, you will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home after surgery.
What to Bring
Bring clothing that’s easy to change into after your surgery.
Choose a shirt that opens in the front, like a button-down or hoodie.
If you normally wear contacts, your healthcare provider is likely to advise you to bring glasses instead.
If you’re having general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will visit you and review what’s going to happen.
You may have to sign some final paperwork and ask the office staff any last-minute questions before the procedure.
Your surgeon may use various tools and techniques to achieve the best results.
Glandular breast tissues and excess skin is then cut and removed.
Your surgeon will provide you with wound care instructions.
Choose light meals and plenty of fluids to avoid nausea in the early stages of coming out of anesthesia.
Recovery
Plan to take it easy in the first few weeks after gynecomastia surgery.
Your body needs time to rest and recover.
Jumping back into work or physical activity too soon will do more harm than good.
Healing
The healing process after gynecomastia surgery takes time and will involve some level of normal swelling.
Until your incisions are fully healed, you’ll need to keep themclean and dry.
This means no swimming, baths, or hot tubs until your healthcare provider says otherwise.
As you heal from surgery, swelling can make it hard to tell whether your surgery was successful.
With time and patience, you’ll be able to enjoy the results of your newly shaped chest.
Use pain medication as prescribed to avoid unnecessary agony and discomfort as your body regains full strength and functionality.
If you have a good experience with gynecomastia surgery, you may be tempted to consider other cosmetic procedures.
Speak to your surgeon to determine whether additional surgeries are advisable or not.
The decision is completely yours to make, as long as your healthcare provider approves.
Explore your treatment options and find a qualified provider to advise and support you through the process.
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UCLA Health.Preparing for surgery and anesthesia.
UCLA Health.Enhancing your recovery.
