Over half of the male population has experienced gynecomastia, enlarged breasts, at one time or another during their lives. Unless the breast enlargement has been diagnosed as a result of a known illness, illegal drug usage, medical treatments, or prescribed medications, there is no definitive explanation for the extra breast or fat tissue. While the condition in young males frequently corrects itself over time, more mature males may require medical attention to eliminating the extra tissue.
Preparing for Gynecomastia Surgery
You’ll be given all of the pre-op and post-op instructions before the day of the surgery, which will include the healing process and when you can resume normal activities. Gynecomastia surgery is performed as an out-patient procedure in the surgeon’s office, a clinic, or a hospital. Depending upon the type of operation, you’ll be given a general or local anesthesia so that you won’t feel any pain. The entire process takes about 90 to 120 minutes and unless the surgeon requires you to remain in the hospital for additional observation, you’ll be able to return home the same day. You’ll need to have someone available to drive you home.
Types of Gynecomastia Surgery
- Pseudo-gynecomastia is to remove fatty tissue using a liposuction procedure. The surgeon will make a small incision on the edge of the areola, the dark-colored skin around the nipple, or in the underarm area. A slim cannula, a hollow tube, is placed into the incision. The cannula is then connected to a vacuum pump that will remove the fat with suction. To remove any remaining fluids, a small drain is placed into a separate incision after the operation.
- True-gynecomastia is to remove breast tissue and excess skin through the lower part of the areola or through the underarm area. Operating through a small incision, the surgeon is able to remove excess breast tissue from the bottom and sides of the breast, and excess skin from the dark colored area around the nipple. A bigger incision will be necessary for the removal of a large amount of tissue and skin.
Combination-gynecomastia removes both fat and breast tissue using a combination of liposuction and surgical procedures.
