What to Expect with Male Breast Reduction
With the arrival of summer comes a bevy of anxiety for men suffering from a condition known as gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts. The condition rarely has any serious medical implications, but the emotional and mental toll of the problem cannot be understated. If you are a man already looking for ways to hide from skin-baring summer activities, perhaps it is time to consider male breast reduction surgery to restore your masculine profile.
Evaluating Your Goals
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your chest, Dr. Rappaport at Houston Center for Plastic Surgery can discuss your concerns with you to determine the best way to address them. In most cases, the surgery will involve removal of glandular tissue to reduce the size of the breasts. Some men may also have isolated pockets of fat in the breast area that can be eliminated with liposuction.
Other men may have enlarged breasts primarily due to loose skin on the chest. This can be caused by a significant amount of weight loss in a relatively short period of time. When weight is lost quickly, the skin doesn’t always have time to conform to the new body contour. Skin laxity in the chest area can also occur after isolated areas of fat are removed from the breasts. In some cases, the loose skin is simply a byproduct of the aging process.
Candidates for Male Breast Reductions
As Dr. Rappaport goes through your aesthetic goals with you, he will help you determine whether you are a good candidate for male breast reduction. Most men that undergo this procedure are in relatively good health and have achieved a healthy weight. They are often unhappy enough with their appearance to avoid certain types of clothing or activities that make them self-conscious.
Men with good skin elasticity typically respond best to this procedure. If loose skin is part of the problem, an excision procedure to remove the excess skin will likely be necessary to create the smoothest possible results. This can be combined with the breast reduction procedure to achieve the best outcome in a single surgery.
Procedure Options
Dr. Rappaport performs male breast reduction surgery as an outpatient procedure. in his Houston center. The surgery may be done using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Incisions are generally placed around the areola to minimize visible scarring after surgery. Liposuction may be used during the procedure to remove small areas of fat and achieve a smoother contour.
Recovery from male breast reduction is surprisingly short, with most men returning to work within a few days after surgery. Any discomfort after the procedure can be managed with oral pain medication and bruising and swelling will subside within 1-2 weeks. Patients are advised to refrain from strenuous activity for at least three weeks after surgery to ensure full healing of the area.
The results of male breast reduction are permanent as long as a healthy weight is maintained after surgery. If the cause of the breast enlargement was identified (certain medications, steroids or excessive drug or alcohol use), those causes may need to addressed as well to ensure the enlargement does not return.
If you are already looking for ways to hide your body this summer, perhaps male breast reduction is an option to consider. To learn more about this treatment, contact Houston Center for Plastic Surgery today at (713) 790-4500.