Confidence and quality of life
Male Breast Reduction
As a man with feminine-looking breasts in Milwaukee or Waukesha, you’re not alone. Gynecomastia is a medical term derived from the Greek words for, “woman-like breasts,” and it affects many men. Enlarged breasts can be permanent, uncomfortable, and socially and psychologically devastating. However, they can be removed through male breast reduction surgery.
Gynecomastia in Men
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were almost 25,000 gynecomastia surgeries performed in the United States in 2018.
Gynecomastia is a medical term that comes from the Greek words for “woman-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, sometimes unevenly. Though certain drugs and medical problems have been linked with male breast overdevelopment, there is no known cause in the vast majority of cases. For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes excess localized 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. When you need a gynecomastia surgery Illume Cosmetic Surgery can provide you with the solution you are seeking for a lifestyle change that will impact your quality of life.
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR GYNECOMASTIA CORRECTION
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 re-shape to the body’s new contours. Anabolic steroids, hormonal changes, heredity, obesity or the use of marijuana may cause gynecomastia; 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.
To make this procedure accessible to all our patients we provide Financing options.
Call (414) 439-3000 for a cosmetic consultation.
PLANNING YOUR MALE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY
THE MALE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY
Surgery for gynecomastia may be performed in our office-based surgical suite, in an ambulatory surgical center or a hospital. The surgery itself usually takes about an hour and a half to complete. However, more extensive procedures may take longer. Most often we use a local anesthetic and intravenous sedation (twilight sleep) to make you drowsy. Our medical staff will monitor your physical status throughout the surgery and during your recovery. If you and your surgeon select general anesthesia the surgery will be performed in an ambulatory surgical center or a hospital setting.
The amount and consistency of the tissue is the determining factor in the approach used to remove the tissue. If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, the physician will likely use liposuction to remove the excess fat. Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL) and Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL) are sometimes performed. A small incision, less than a half-inch in length, is made in the underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula 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. If the glandular tissue is dense and fibrous, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. In a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location generally on the edge of the areola. Working through the incision, 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.
Sometimes, a small drain is inserted through a separate incision to draw off excess fluids. Once closed, the incisions are covered with a dressing. A compression garment (vest) is placed to provide optimal healing and to keep the skin firmly in place.
Be sure to ask if you are a candidate for Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL) or Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL).
AFTER GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY
After the surgery procedure, you will spend approximately one hour in the recovery area, if your surgery is done in our office you will be sent home. Whether you’ve had excision with a scalpel or liposuction, you will feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can easily be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon.
You’ll be swollen and bruised for a while in fact, you may wonder if there’s been any improvement at all. To help reduce swelling, you’ll wear the compression vest continuously for a week or two 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.
We advise you to avoid heavy exercise for about three weeks and to avoid any sport or job that risk a blow to the chest area for at least four weeks. In general, it will take about a month before you’re back to all of your normal activities. You should also avoid exposing the resulting scars to the sun for at least six months. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin’s pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sunblock.
YOUR NEW LOOK
Gynecomastia surgery can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal. It can help get rid of significant pain or tenderness. If your expectations are realistic, chances are good that you’ll be very satisfied with your new look.
Get in Touch
With board-certified plastic surgeons, two state certified surgical operating rooms, an anesthesiologist, and a team of specialized, credentialed nurses Illume provides ready availability for whatever cosmetic service or surgery you need. Let us help you Live Life Beautifully!
Call or text: 414-439-3000