Gynecomastia Surgery - Power Assisted Liposuction

Gynecomastia -Male Breast Reduction Surgery with before and after photos

Gynecomastia is a medical term that originates from the Greek words for "women-like breasts." This condition is far more common than many realize. Gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of the male population. It may affect only one breast or both. Although certain drugs such as anabolic steroids, medications containing estrogen, alcohol, marijuana, etc., and medical conditions including cancer, impaired liver function, to name a few, may cause or contribute to enlarged male breasts, it is widely accepted that a large percentage of cases derive from unknown sources. In many cases, no treatment is needed. Sometimes the problem can be solved if you stop taking a medicine that is causing gynecomastia or stop using an illegal drug that is causing the problem. Occasionally, medicines may be used to treat gynecomastia, especially if tenderness is a problem. These medications will make the extra breast tissue go away. If you physician determines that surgery is needed the procedure will remove fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured. With any surgery, there are risks, and they include infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, or excessive fluid loss or accumulation. The procedure may also result in noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes in the breast area, or slightly mismatched breasts or nipples. If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with power assisted liposuction (PAL Microaire). In a typical procedure, the incision is made in an inconspicuous location--on the edge of the areola. The surgeon cuts away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from around the areola and from the sides and bottom of the breast. Major reductions that involve the removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin may require larger incisions that result in more conspicuous scars. If liposuction is used to remove excess fat, a cannula is usually inserted through the existing incisions. After the surgery you will feel some discomfort for a few days, but this discomfort can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon. You will need someone to drive you home or to a location that you desire. You'll be swollen and bruised for awhile, and you may wonder if there's been any improvement at all. This will not be evident for a few weeks until the swelling subsides. To help reduce swelling, you'll need to wear an elastic compression vest continuously for a week and mininmum of 12 hours a day for the next two weeks and for a few weeks longer at night. Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in the first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the final results of your surgery are apparent.

In the meantime, getting back to normal will be important. You should try to begin walking around on the day of surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough, which could be as early as a day or two after your surgery. Any stitches are usually removed about 1week after the surgery.

Before

Before

After 6 months liposuction with excision of of glandular tissue

After 4 days of PAL with periareolar excision of of glandular tissue

Before

Before

After 4 days of PAL with peri-areolar excision

After 3 months of PAL

Before

After 3 months of PAL

Photo above is the actual patient of the author. The main goal of iPrime Center for Surgical Aesthetics is to provide you patient safety information regarding cosmetic surgery so you can make informed decisions and know what to expect when you choose to undergo a procedure before deciding if plastic surgery is the right choice for you. We have developed the following articles in order to meet our goal. Alfredo V. Callanta, M.D. i-Prime Center for Surgical Aesthetics 26 Sgt. Esguerra Street, South Triangle Quezon City, Philippines e-mail : [email protected] mobile # +639175229394 callantaplasticsurgery.com