Gynecomastia

The Gynecomastia Surgical Consultation

During your initial consultation, you’ll meet with one of our exceptionally skilled plastic surgeons: Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS; Jason M. Weissler, MD; Stephanie A. Cooper, MD; or Christopher L. Johnson, MD, MSc, FACS. Our surgeons are very experienced in male reduction mammaplasty and will be very thorough in their assessment of your candidacy.

In order to determine if gynecomastia surgery is the best treatment option for your specific needs, your surgeon will take note of your medical history and current medications and supplements. Tests may also be ordered to make sure an important underlying health issue is not causing the gynecomastia. If we decide to proceed with male breast reduction surgery, your surgeon will examine your chest and take measurements to determine which technique(s) should be used.

How to Prepare for Male Breast Reduction Surgery

At your consultation, you’ll be given a specific set of pre- and post-op instructions to ensure a successful procedure and lasting results. If you smoke, you must stop at least one month before your surgery date and abstain for a month or more afterward. You may also be asked to refrain from taking aspirin and anti-inflammatories starting 7-10 days prior to your procedure.

What to Expect During Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Male breast reduction surgery begins with administering general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. This will depend on which surgical technique(s) we decide to use and other factors.

For cases that are primarily pseudogynecomastia, your surgeon will make either a transaxillary incision through the armpit or several tiny incisions into the breast itself. A small hollow tube called a cannula is then inserted into the incisions and carefully moved back and forth to break up pockets of fat. This excess fat tissue can then be suctioned out of the body.

If the gynecomastia is mainly the result of glandular tissue and/or excess skin, your surgeon will use one of the following incision methods:

• Intra-areolar: Bottom of the areola
• Periareolar: Around the perimeter of the areola
• Periareolar and Inframmary: Periareolar as well as along the fold of the breast

A predetermined amount of glandular tissue can then be excised. At this time, your surgeon can also surgically remove any excess skin. If needed, the patient’s areolas can also be resized, reshaped, or moved.

Male gynecomastia surgery is a highly individualized procedure, so we’ll map out an exact treatment strategy with you during your initial consultation. We may even be able to combine the alteration of glandular tissue and skin with liposuction for a more comprehensive approach. Once the whole process is complete, the incisions are closed.

What to Expect After Male Breast Reduction Surgery

After gynecomastia surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home to begin your post-op recovery. You will have bandages or a support garment to wear for a few weeks (or as directed) for proper healing. Small rubber tubes may be left in place for any post-surgical drainage but will be removed during your next visit.

Continue following your surgeon’s aftercare directions during this time, including taking short walks to encourage healing. However, you should avoid strenuous activities for about a month.

Most patients report minimal swelling at first, which, understandably, can cause them to falsely believe their breast size has not gone down or has even increased. Full results from male breast reduction surgery can be anticipated after about three months.

How Much Does Male Reduction Mammaplasty Cost?

Your treatment will be custom-built for your specific aesthetic goals. Once we have your plan in place, we can figure out the exact price. The cost of male gynecomastia surgery usually varies based on the specific techniques used, as well as anesthesia and facility fees.