Breast Reduction (Male Gynaecomastia) In Peppercombe

Your first consultation with a surgeon should clearly set out your expectations and whether this surgery can achieve the results that you want.

Careful and detailed discussions and exchange of information regarding your medical history are very important at this stage. You should have already discussed this with your G.P. to make sure that there is no possible cause of your Gynaecomastia, which could be treated before surgery.

The surgeon will examine your chest to discover the exact surgical procedure that may be best for you.

The surgeon should discuss where he or she is likely to make the incisions in your chest, and how the excess tissue will be removed. They will also check to make sure that there are no other medical reasons why you shouldn’t undertake this procedure. You would normally also be asked to sign a consent form which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with breast reduction surgery.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner for a “before and after” comparison at a later date.

The surgeon may wish to write to your GP giving details of the operation so that if there are any problems associated with surgery in the short- or long-term, the GP is aware of the procedure and can help with your recovery.

Anaesthesia

Male breast reduction surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic combined with a sedative to make you drowsy so that you remain awake but feel very little discomfort during the operation.

Depending on your health and the extent of the procedure, your surgeon may advise having the operation under a general anaesthetic.

Remember that any general anaesthetic has its own small risks attached to it and your surgeon should discuss them with you before any decisions about the operation are made.

The operation

The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgical centre, either independently operated by your surgeon, or as part of a hospital. The procedure usually takes about 1½ - 2 hours but, depending on the extent of the procedure, it could take longer.

The technique used is dictated by the amount of excess skin present in the enlarged breast. Sometimes, however, the techniques are combined. These techniques are described below.

Liposuction is the preferred treatment when there is not much excess skin and where fatty tissue is the main cause of enlargement.

For liposuction procedures, several quarter-inch cuts are made in either the armpit or areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipples). Fluid is then injected to begin the process of tissue removal. A thin metal rod (or cannula) attached to a syringe or vacuum pump is then inserted to remove the tissue and the fatty tissue is sucked out through the cannula. When the fatty tissue is very thick, Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL), which uses ultrasound energy, may be needed to help break up the tissue

For more information on this procedure, please visit the liposuction section of our site.

If there is a great deal of excess skin and glandular tissue, a more extensive procedure is required.
Your surgeon will make the first incision around the dark pigmented area around the nipple so that it can be moved higher up the breast, but the nipple itself is usually not removed. A second incision is made horizontally in the crease line under the breast. The third cut runs down from the nipple to the crease line. Excess breast and fatty tissue is removed and the skin is trimmed away to reduce, tighten, and reshape the breasts. The cuts are then closed with stitches.

A small drain tube may also be inserted to draw off blood and fluids for the first day or two.

Your chest will be tender and swollen after this procedure. The extent of the swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily.

Although much of the swelling and bruising will disappear in the first few weeks, it may be six months to a year before things settle into their new shape.

Risks or side effects following the procedure can include infection, a reaction to the anaesthetic, bleeding and nerve damage.

Bleeding and infection following a breast reduction are rare, but if you have had skin removed as part of the more extensive procedure, it can cause scars to widen.

This procedure does leave scars that gradually fade over time. If you have only had liposuction, these may become relatively unnoticeable. However, if tissue and skin reduction is required, the scars will be larger and more evident, and you may also find that you are left with slightly lop-sided nipples or a permanent loss of feeling in your nipples.

There are few reasons why someone should not undergo breast reduction surgery as long as they have had all the possible medical causes of the condition first ruled out by a doctor, are in good general health, and have realistic expectations of what the operation can achieve for them.

If you are prone to keloid (red, angry, raised) scars, or have a history of problems with wound healing your surgeon may not recommend this procedure or may caution you that scars could be raised and very visible.

Some insurance companies and/or NHS hospitals may pay for male breast reduction surgery if it is considered to be medically necessary by your doctor.
 
You will need to see your General Practitioner for a referral to a surgeon in the National Health Service, or check your policy details to see if you are covered for this type of procedure if you have a private health plan.

The NHS has set out the following guidelines on how to get cosmetic surgery through the NHS:

"To qualify for surgery on the NHS you must meet specific criteria as set out by your local health authority. The NHS will not pay for surgery for cosmetic reasons alone. Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery to correct, or improve, congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge.

NHS reconstructive surgery is performed by plastic surgeons who have had extensive training and belong to the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Surgeons who carry out cosmetic surgery through the NHS also belong to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

To receive cosmetic surgery from the NHS, you will normally need a referral from your GP. You will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon and an assessment by a psychiatrist, or psychologist. It will then be decided whether there is enough social, psychological, or physical benefit to be gained to justify surgery."

Male breast enlargement, 'man boobs' or 'moobs' can be a very embarrassing condition, and although it is not often talked about, there are some estimates that it may affect up to 10% of men to some extent.

True gynaecomastia with the production of firm breast tissue is much rarer. That is why it is very important with all forms of breast enlargement to visit your G.P. first to rule out any possible medical causes.

Surgical treatment options using either liposuction or surgical resection of skin and tissue (or a combination of the two procedures) can effectively and, usually permanently, reduce the enlargement, leaving a flatter male chest.

Remember, however, that you may need to be patient as swelling and scarring following this procedure can take many months to settle down.