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Many men have gynecomastia causes by excess glandular tissue or fat (or both).

Fatty tissue can be removed by liposuction, leaving a nearly imperceptible scar.

Following surgery for gynecomastia, the patient has a more masculine chest contour.

procedures for men

Today, men of all ages and all walks of life are requesting Cosmetic Surgery for cosmetic reasons. Men's goals include a more balanced nose, a rejuvenated face, a trimmer waistline. The procedures used to achieve these goals must take into consideration factors such as skin thickness, beard growth, or body type.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Gynecomastia is a medical term that comes from the Greek words for "women-like breasts." Though this oddly named condition is rarely talked about, it's actually quite common. Gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It may affect only one breast or both.

For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured.

Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy, emotionally stable men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours.

Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss. Also, individuals who drink alcohol beverages in excess or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynecomastia. Therefore, patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is considered an option.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

When male breast-reduction surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are risks. These include infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and 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 asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be performed to remove additional tissue.

The temporary effects of breast reduction include loss of breast sensation or numbness, which may last up to a year.

The Surgery

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking certain vitamins and medications.

Correction of enlarged male breasts may be performed under general, or in some cases, under local anesthesia plus sedation. You'll be awake, but very relaxed and insensitive to pain. More extensive correction may be performed under general anesthesia, which allows the patient to sleep through the entire operation.

If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, your surgeon will likely use liposuction to remove the excess fat. A small incision, less than a half-inch in length, is made around the edge of the areola–the dark skin that surrounds the nipple. Or, the incision may be placed in the underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula which is attached to a vacuum pump, is then inserted into the incision. Using strong, deliberate strokes, the surgeon moves the cannula through the layers beneath the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out.

Pectoral Implants
Men who work out and are still unable to develop the pectoral muscles they hope to achieve may consider pectoral implants to enlarge the appearance of their chest muscles.

Implants will enhance the bulk and projection of your pectoral muscles, but they will not improve the definition of your muscles.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

Displacement of your chest implant or implants can occur. If your implants are only slightly out of place, you may not notice, and it probably will not bother you. It is very unlikely for others to notice minimally displaced implants. If your implants are moderately or significantly displaced, surgery will be required to move them back into position. Fortunately, displacement of chest implants is uncommon.

Infection can be devastating if it occurs. The implant will probably have to be removed, and you will need intravenous antibiotics. You may even need to be hospitalized. After six months, a new implants can be placed. It is extremely uncommon for an implant to become infected after that. In general, the risk of infection is about 1%.

The Surgery

Surgery is performed under general anesthesia or very heavy sedation. A small incision is hidden in your arm pit and the endoscope is used to create a cavity under your pectoralis muscle. The muscle is not separated from its attachments to the rib cage or breast bone. A solid silastic implant is chosen based on measurements of your chest made prior to surgery. The implant is soft, flexible, and durable and is placed directly beneath your pec muscle.

You will be allowed to go home the day of surgery. Your dressing and sutures will be removed in a few days. Do not perform any lifting or aerobic exercise for 4 weeks. After a month, the scar usually fades and becomes very difficult to see.

Calf Implants
Calf implants, which were originally developed to restore leg contour in accident or polio victims, are now sometimes used to create cosmetic fullness in the lower leg.

Content courtesy of PlasticSurgery.org