Gynaecomastia (Male Breast) Reduction Sydney

WHAT CAUSES GYNAECOMASTIA?

Gynaecomastia is caused by the abnormal development of breast tissue, excess fatty tissue or a combination of the two. Various factors cause the condition, such as hormonal imbalances, steroid use, endocrine disorders, obesity or side effects of certain medications. To determine what has caused your gynaecomastia and assess the severity, you will need an Initial Consultation and thorough examination with Dr Dona. This will then determine your surgical plan for the best results.

BREAST REDUCTION FOR MEN: SUITABLE CANDIDATES

Suitable candidates for Gynaecomastia removal must be:

• In good physical health
• In good mental health and be emotionally prepared for realistic surgical outcomes
• A non-smoker or willing to give up smoking
• Healthy body weight

GYNAECOMASTIA REDUCTION: SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

There are a few surgical techniques for gynaecomastia removal, depending on the type of tissue involved:

• When only fatty tissue is involved, liposuction may be the best option.
• When glandular tissue is mostly involved, or the gynaecomastia is more severe, surgical excision may be the best option.
• If any excess skin is involved, the amount of excess skin will dictate the surgical pattern required to address this.

, patients have both fatty and glandular tissue requiring both liposuction and surgical excision.

Usually, the surgery is performed as a day hospital procedure—and you can go home on the day of the surgery. However, you may require an overnight hospital stay for more extensive corrective surgery.

LIPOSUCTION/LIPOSCULPTURE

If you only have excess fat causing your gynaecomastia, Dr Dona may recommend liposuction. During this procedure, he will create one or two small incisions (approximately 5mm long) near the treatment area. He will then insert a cannula through these incisions to help break up the fatty tissue and suction it away. The result is a flat chest that appears more masculine—without softness or breast prominence.

NB: If a patient does not have excess skin, and the gynaecomastia is primarily fatty tissue, then liposuction is typically the first choice for treatment.

SURGICAL EXCISION

If glandular tissue is causing your male breasts, liposuction cannot remove this. Instead, the tissue will need to be surgically excised. The techniques used will depend on the severity of your gynaecomastia. Usually, Dr Dona creates a single incision along the lower areolar border. From this access point, he will surgically remove the excess glandular and fatty tissue. The result is a flatter chest without any soft or raised glandular tissue.

If there is noticeable excess skin, he may make additional incisions beyond the areolar border to remove the skin in order to achieve a flat chest wall.

In rare cases where men have large, pendulous breasts, a conventional Breast Reduction procedure will be required, similar to what is performed on women.

Ultimately, the severity of the gynaecomastia, and any associated excess skin, will dictate the surgery required to address this and the associated scars.

GYNAECOMASTIA (MALE BREAST REDUCTION) SURGERY RECOVERY

Although everyone’s recovery varies, some common milestones will help guide your recovery process. Above all, you must follow Dr Dona’s post-operative instructions.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY

After your surgical procedure, you’ll be taken to a recovery area, where you’ll be closely monitored until you are awake and stable. There will be some pain, discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the chest area. You’ll be given pain relief medication and prophylactic antibiotics to help promote healing and protect you from infections.

You’ll be given a surgical garment to wear for the first four to six weeks. This garment strongly helps to reduce swelling and helps promote a flatter chest shape. It also provides support and enables you to feel more comfortable during the healing process.

1 TO 2 WEEKS

As each week passes, you should notice small, continual improvements. After approximately one to two weeks, many patients can resume light, nonstrenuous activities.

2 TO 4 WEEKS

Your bruising and swelling should begin to subside as time passes, although you may still experience mild discomfort. Throughout this time, you must continue to wear your compression garment to promote healing—as directed by Dr Dona. After two weeks, you’ll begin to feel more normal. You can usually return to your regular daily activities and work commitments (provided your work is not strenuous). You mustn’t engage in any strenuous exercises or activities that may strain your chest muscles during this time.

Towards the end of this period, you should see visible improvements in the appearance of your chest wall if swelling continues to decrease.

4 TO 6 WEEKS

You may gradually resume light exercises and physical activities in your daily routines, provided you carefully follow the guidance of Dr Dona. During this time, the contour of your chest should continue to improve, with any residual swelling decreasing, resulting in a flatter appearance. Your scars should slowly fade and become less noticeable. The appearance of the scars differs from person to person, but they usually develop into fine white lines. After six weeks, you can return to normal physical activities and be simply guided by your comfort levels.

3 TO 6 MONTHS

At around three months, the results of your male breast reduction surgery should appear more evident. Most of your swelling should have subsided, allowing your chest to settle and giving you a more masculine and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

GYNAECOMASTIA/MALE BREAST REDUCTION: POTENTIAL RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

All surgery carries risks. To learn about general surgical risks, please go here.

Male breast reduction surgery, as with any surgery, does carry the potential for risks and complications. Although complications are relatively rare, you must be aware of them. Complications include:

• Asymmetry: No human body is symmetrical, so achieving perfect symmetry is impossible. However, if your surgery results in significant asymmetry, this may warrant further surgery.
• Bleeding: It’s possible to experience excessive bleeding during or after your surgery despite extensive precautions. Sometimes, we may need to perform additional procedures if significant bleeding occurs.
• Haematoma: This is a collection of blood beneath the skin, leading to swelling, bruising and pain, and can occur after surgery. In such incidences, the haematoma will need to be drained.
• Infection: Although surgical site infections are uncommon, they can occur. They are typically managed with antibiotic treatment.
• Loss of nipple sensation: Permanent changes in nipple sensation can occur, although uncommon. However, severe gynaecomastia cases requiring a nipple graft will always result in a loss of nipple sensation.
• Seroma: This is a local buildup of clear fluid that potentially causes swelling. Seromas may develop after surgery. If they do, they will require drainage.

HOW MUCH DOES MALE BREAST REDUCTION COST IN SYDNEY?

The extent of gynaecomastia and the required surgeries can vary considerably; consequently, so can the cost. Some individuals only require a small amount of liposuction, while others need both liposuction and surgical excision. To find out how much male breast reduction would cost you, please book an Initial Consultation with Dr Dona.

During your consultation, you can have your gynaecomastia assessed. You’ll also receive the appropriate surgical treatment plan and a detailed breakdown of the anticipated costs, including surgical fees, anaesthesia, facility fees, and other necessary expenses.