Male Breast Reduction (gynaecomastia)

In male breast reduction surgery, the goal is to create a flatter, firmer, and more masculine chest contour. As part of your consultation, your surgeon will work with you to understand your ideal chest shape, so that they can work towards achieving this. This will minimise the possibility of having too little or too much tissue removed.Although the main goal is a reduction, all patients will also benefit from a chest lift and sculpting as well. Your chest will appear more defined and your nipples may be re-positioned to a more natural location to match your new chest shape. Your surgeon will show you these proposed new positions before surgery.All stitches used are dissolving, so they will not need to be removed. Once the surgery is complete, surgical glue and tapes are used over the scar lines. You will have a post-surgical compression vest fitted to support and shape your chest at the end of surgery. Dr Victoria uses a surgical and anasthetic technique that does not require surgical drains after surgery.

Male breast reduction surgery has many physical and psychological benefits for patients—it’snot ‘just a cosmetic procedure’. Many men report it as a ‘life-changing’ operation if they undergothe procedure for the right reasons. Some common reasons why men choose to have breast reduction surgery are:● Discomfort or pain in the chest area● Difficulty in fitting shirts and other clothing● Self-consciousness that causes them to avoid certain activities, like swimming or going to the gym● Rash or sweatiness in the chest fold● Social embarrassment – Men don’t have to have a particular chest size to be eligible for a reduction. The key is the presence of gynecomastia (excess tissue) that is causing distress. There are generally no limitations for men with significant enlargement. For those with only minor concerns, other options could be discussed. Your surgeon will take a detailed consultation with you, exploring your goals and wishes for surgery.

We recommend you stay in hospital for one overnight stay to ensure that your pain and recovery from general anesthetic is well controlled. This overnight stay is included in the price package. We recommend 1-2 weeks off work, depending on the nature of your job, and advise you to avoid any strenuous upper body exercise for 6-8 weeks. You will need to wear a post-surgical compression vest for the first 3 weeks after surgery, followed by a lighter compression top or sports vest for the following 3 weeks to ensure the best possible result.

The most common scar for male breast reduction surgery is placed around the border of the nipple (the areola). In some cases where more extensive tissue removal is required, there maybe a small scar extending outwards from the nipple. None of the scars will be noticeable in an open-collared shirt, and once fully healed, are typically very discreet when shirtless.Scars undergo a maturation period. You should expect for them to be red, raised and lumpy initially but with time, these should fade and flatten. Following your surgeon’s scar care advice is essential for helping them heal to be as faint as possible.

Although male breast reduction surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon, there is always a risk of complications. Infections can occur after any surgery, but they can be minimised by careful surgical technique and adherence to after care instructions. The risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs is rare, but early mobilisation after surgery can significantly reduce this risk. Your surgeon uses anti-clotting measures such as special stockings (TEDS) and compression devices (Flowtron) during surgery to minimise this risk. Swelling is a normal part of the post-operative healing process, and mild or moderate swelling across the chest will usually resolve on its own with the help of your compression vest. In rare cases, increased bleeding can cause significant swelling and the development of ahaematoma (a collection of blood under the skin). If this happens, surgical drainage may be necessary. However, this should not affect the final aesthetic outcome of the surgery.During the procedure, the nipples are preserved with their nerve and blood supply intact and are often repositioned for a natural appearance. In most cases, the nipples remain natural with normal sensation. But in rare cases, an inadequate blood supply can cause part or all of the nipple to be lost. If this happens, prolonged dressing changes will be required until natural healing occurs, and reconstruction of the nipple may be necessary as a secondary procedure.During the first 2-3 weeks after surgery, some patients may experience minor complications such as loss of wound adhesion, suture extrusion (‘spitting stitches’), or chafing of the skin at the incision sites around the nipple. This is a temporary complication that will require regular dressing changes initially. Eventually, a scab will develop over the area, which will separate after3-4 weeks. Padded dressings can decrease the likelihood of this occurring, but some distortion of the skin around the scar may ensue. If necessary, further revision surgery may be required to improve the scar.