Everything You Should Know Before Gynecomastia Surgery
Breast reduction surgery may be more common in women, but the procedure can also benefit men with gynecomastia. While the condition often occurs with the surge of hormones during puberty, it usually resolves itself within a few months.
However, surgery to correct the condition may be warranted for men with gynecomastia that doesn’t resolve on its own or that presents later in life.
Premier Liposuction in Las Vegas, NV, offers gynecomastia surgery using Vaser liposuction to deliver safe, effective, dramatic results. The procedure is a fast and affordable solution to gynecomastia.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition where male breast tissue becomes enlarged or swollen. Typically occurring in both breasts, it can also be worse on one side than the other. Gynecomastia can cause tenderness in the breasts, changes in the color or position of the nipples, and excess skin development.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is an endocrine disorder where a hormonal imbalance produces more estrogen than usual. In puberty, boys’ bodies change by producing testosterone and estrogen hormones. In cases where testosterone levels are lower than usual, higher estrogen levels can cause male breast tissue to swell.
Gynecomastia can occur at birth when males experience the residual effects of their mother’s estrogen. It can also present at puberty or later in life, as declining testosterone levels and increased fatty tissue lead to senile gynecomastia.
Conditions not related to hormones can lead to gynecomastia as well. Some of these conditions include:
- Obesity
- Malnutrition
- Liver disease
- Heredity
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypogonadism
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney failure
Gynecomastia can also be a side effect of prescription or recreation drugs and some herbal treatments, like lavender and tea tree oil.
Who Is a Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?
While gynecomastia doesn’t affect overall health, patients with the condition may feel more confident and comfortable after a male breast reduction procedure. To be eligible for gynecomastia surgery, a patient should have a significant amount of fat or excess breast tissue that cannot be corrected without surgery.
Ideal candidates for male breast reduction surgery include:
- Nonsmokers
- Those who do not use drugs
- Those at a relatively healthy weight
- Those who are in good overall health
The most common and effective procedures to treat gynecomastia are liposuction, excision, or a combination of the two techniques.
Men with mild to moderate gynecomastia who have enlargement of their breast tissue but no excess skin and minimal gland hypertrophy benefit from liposuction alone.
Men with severe gynecomastia may need liposuction and skin excision to address drooping and excess skin. In these procedures, the nipples may need to be removed and placed in a more appropriate position on the chest.
Gynecomastia Surgery at Premier Liposuction
At Premier Liposuction, our gynecomastia surgery uses Vaser liposuction technology. Vaser liposuction is a unique method of breaking down excess fat before removal in a minimally invasive procedure.
Vaser is an acronym for “vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance.” It uses ultrasound technology to create powerful vibrations and waves that disrupt the bonds between fat cells.
First, the Vaser liposuction device breaks down fat cells, separating them from the body’s muscular tissues. Then, the fat cells emulsify with an injected saline solution. Finally, the liquified fatty tissue is suctioned out of the targeted area.
Vaser liposuction is unique for its minimal scarring, and it’s considered to be a more controlled, gentler liposuction procedure.
What Should I Expect from Gynecomastia Surgery?
Male breast reduction surgery is an outpatient, elective procedure. When you arrive for your surgery, you should wear loose, comfortable clothing and refrain from using any cologne, lotions, or cosmetics that day.
Vaser liposuction only requires a local anesthetic. The entire surgery takes less than a few hours and needs no sutures. In addition, the procedure uses waves of ultrasound energy, so patients experience minimal discomfort.
Patients can return home after their procedure, though they should arrange for a driver. They should follow the post-surgery instructions and medication plan advised by their Premier Liposuction surgeon.
What’s the Recovery for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
For a male breast reduction using the gentler Vaser liposuction technique, most patients can return to work, school, and other everyday activities about 48 hours after the procedure.
Patients should wear a compression garment after their procedure to reduce swelling and hold the skin in place while it adheres to the new contours of their chest.
We advise patients to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for six weeks after their gynecomastia surgery, especially avoiding any strain on the abdominal muscles. Patients should also expect normal swelling that dissipates entirely three to four months after their procedure.
At Premier Liposuction, we want all of our patients to achieve optimal results from their male breast reduction surgery. Therefore, to promote healing, we schedule each patient for two follow-up lymphatic massages at no cost.
Is Gynecomastia Surgery Permanent?
Most patients with gynecomastia can’t eliminate the excess tissue without surgery because it’s not the same as fat in other body parts. Instead of fat cells, gynecomastia consists of fatty tissue, which looks like fat but isn’t susceptible to diet and exercise changes.
Gynecomastia surgery permanently removes this fatty tissue. It won’t return since this tissue didn’t develop due to excess weight gain.
However, in patients where gynecomastia occurs as a result of weight gain or marijuana use, the condition can return if the underlying habits that caused the gynecomastia aren’t corrected.
Consult the Professional Team at Premier Liposuction
Dr. Adams and Dr. Evensen at Premier Liposuction in Las Vegas, NV, are well-versed in gynecomastia and are ready to restore your sculpted chest without scarring and extensive downtime.
Call or schedule your consultation online with the skilled team at Premier Liposuction and learn how our procedures can leave you looking and feeling your best.
