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Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

Experience Premier Male Breast Reduction Surgery Services

Unfortunately, there are some cases of gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, that are not amenable to diet and exercise. Underlying medical conditions such as hormonal abnormalities may be to blame, and certain prescription drugs can cause it as well. If you suffer from gynecomastia, Dr. Gerstle will seek out potential causes and help you to decide if male breast reduction surgery is an option for you.

Whatever the reason, a contoured, tight, healthy looking chest is possible!

To find out more about Male Breast Reduction Surgery services at Lexington Plastic Surgery, PLLC, request a consultation or call our office at (859) 279-2111. Our male breast reduction surgery services are also available to residents in Louisville and surrounding Kentucky.

Schedule an appointment in our Lexington, KY office
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Gynecomastia

 

Male Breast Reduction Safety

Male breast reduction surgery is a relatively uncomplicated procedure that is considered to be very safe. If you have had reactions to anesthesia in the past, please let us know. Very rare occurrences can include bleeding and blood clots, infection, damage to surrounding tissue or nerves, and unexpected scarring. Decrease in nipple sensitivity is usually, but not always, temporary. Occasionally, patients may be unsatisfied with the results and could require revision surgery. Dr. Gerstle and his staff take every precaution to ensure your safety as well as your satisfaction with the outcome. Please discuss any concerns you have with the doctor during your initial consultation.

The Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Sometimes, simple fat removal via liposuction is all that is required for a successful male breast reduction surgery. This is the case when you don’t have sagging, stretched skin, or the need to reposition the nipple. A benefit of this procedure is that it creates a smooth, firm contour to the chest with minimal incisions. It is also easy to hide what few scars will result under the armpit or in the breast crease.

A direct excision is needed to remove bunchy skin, a greater amount of fat or glandular tissue, and reshape the breast and/or nipple. This technique requires larger incisions and will result in a more extended healing time.

Dr. Gerstle performs male breast reduction surgery in his office-based outpatient surgery center under local or general anesthetic. The procedure usually takes less than two hours.

Male Breast Reduction Post Op

Breast reduction patients will be cleared to go home on the day of the surgery. Dr. Gerstle and our staff will be on hand via phone and email as you recover in the days and weeks ahead. You will have a post-op visit in our office the next day following surgery.

After surgery, you will be given a compression vest to wear all day, every day for one month. This aids in bringing down swelling and will support the tissues in their new position as they heal. At the one-week point, Dr. Gerstle will remove the vest to check your incisions, and if all looks well, the vest is replaced and should be removed for showering only. Most men are able to return to work after one to two weeks.

Excision surgery will have a more extended period of recovery than simple liposuction due to the invasive nature of the procedure. A surgical drain may be placed, and you will likely require prescription pain medication for a number of days post op. Give yourself time to relax and get plenty of sleep, and leave any heavy lifting (including picking up and carrying children) to others until the incisions have sufficiently healed. You will likely need three to four weeks of rest before you can return to light exercise; vigorous activity and sports can be resumed after six weeks. It’s important to avoid disturbing the incisions as they heal.

You may experience itching, swelling, grogginess, and of course pain following the procedure. If you have any unusual or severe symptoms, call our office immediately.

Benefits of Male Breast Reduction

  • Creating a more masculine looking chest
  • Improving self confidence in and out of your clothing
  • Reduction in size of anatomically large nipples
  • Removing excess breast tissue, glands, and skin

The New You—Working With Dr. Gerstle

First, you and Dr. Gerstle will have a discreet and detailed discussion about your needs and expectations. Dr. Gerstle will take a detailed medical history and assess any other body areas that you feel may need work; sometimes plastic surgery procedures can be combined with male breast reduction.

We will have you peruse our before and after pictures to get a good idea of what you’d like the results of your surgery to be and what is possible given your particular body type, shape, and weight. If you’d like a different shaped breast as well as fat reduction, discuss that with Dr. Gerstle during the consultation.

Male Breast Reduction FAQ

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the technical term for excessively large male breasts. While gynecomastia may be caused by being overweight in general, it can also result from excess glandular tissue caused by an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone. It may occur in one or both breasts. Dietary, genetic, and hormonal influences can all play a part. Certain prescription medications and recreational drugs may also contribute to gynecomastia. A genetic cause could likely not be overcome simply by diet and exercise.

Is gynecomastia common?

Estimates are that between 50 and 65 percent of men from middle age and older in the United States experience gynecomastia.

Is there a non-surgical approach to reducing gynecomastia?

While losing weight may lessen excess fat in male breast tissue, there can be glandular tissue contributing to the problem that will not be affected by weight loss. If you’ve tried weight loss in the past with little to no positive result, then surgical breast reduction is the only effective, permanent solution.

Will people be able to tell if I had surgery?

The chest area may experience some swelling after the surgery for about a month. Some men experience this swelling for up to six months. This is normal. The scars will be small and will fade over time. The expected time for the final results to be judged is anywhere from six months to a year. After that time, it will be very difficult to tell that you had surgery.

Is male breast reduction permanent?

Most men who undergo breast reduction surgery never have a problem with their chest appearance again. Some men, however, experience weight changes, hormonal changes, or other factors that may cause the tissue to re-expand. Fortunately, those cases are uncommon. The vast majority of our patients are happy with the results and never need to repeat male breast reduction surgery.

Does insurance cover male breast reduction?

Unfortunately, insurance companies usually will not reimburse you for male breast reduction as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. Dr. Gerstle and the staff at Lexington Plastic Surgery can discuss financing options with you.

Can breast reduction for men be combined with other plastic surgery treatments?

Yes, liposuction, a tummy tuck, and other body sculpting procedures may often be combined with male breast reduction.

Are the results of the surgery permanent?

In the context of a healthy lifestyle, we generally expect the results of a male breast reduction to be permanent. It’s important to continue to eat well and exercise. Weight gain or fluctuations, certain drugs, and some medical conditions could cause a recurrence of fat to build up in the breast area. If a hormonal imbalance was causing your gynecomastia, that should be remedied to avoid a recurrence of fat buildup in the breast.

How can I choose the right surgeon to perform male breast reduction surgery?

A qualified surgeon should be board certified and experienced enough to have performed dozens or even hundreds of surgeries to correct gynecomastia. Dr. Gerstle is well qualified and experienced and can show you his before and after photos showing many happy and satisfied patients.

Male Breast Reduction Financing

CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs that can be used by your entire family. Use it to pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by medical insurance. Special financing options are available that you may not be able to get with other cards.

Pay for health and wellness care at over 200,000 enrolled providers across the nation. Once you’ve applied, you can use it again and again at any location that accepts CareCredit. For more information and to apply, please visit CareCredit.com.

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