What to Expect With a Breast Reduction Surgery for Men

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY FOR MEN

Overview:

Gynaecomastia is a common medical condition involving non-cancerous enlargement of the male breast.

By severity, the spectrum of gynecomastia has been categorized into 4 grades, Grade

I: minor enlargement, no excess skin, Grade

II: moderate enlargement with no skin excess, Grade

III: moderate enlargement with skin excess and grade

IV: marked enlargement with skin excess. Instabilities in the endocrine system which causes increased estrogen production and decreased androgen production or both is considered as the main reason for the development of gynecomastia.

Prompt diagnostic assessment and timely strategic treatment are a necessity as the condition grounds of anxiety, hesitation, social awkwardness along with the worry of breast cancer. Gynaecomastia evaluation must take account of a thorough medical history, clinical investigation, explicit blood tests, imaging and tissue sampling. Distinct management options can range from simple encouragement/assurance to medications or even surgery in extreme conditions.

Here are few important points related to male breast reduction surgery:

Surgery must be taken up as the last alternative in men with long-standing gynaecomastia (>12m) or in cases of suspected malignancy. The opted technique should be chosen as per the degree, distribution and proportion of the different breast components in gynecomastia. The primary aim of such surgical options is the elimination of painful breast tissue and restoration of the patient's chest to a suitable shape.

Surgery is not endorsed for adolescents until the testis grows completely, as there are chances of recurrence.
It is preferred over other medical treatments only for men who have been suffering from gynecomastia for more than 2 years of duration.

Subcutaneous mastectomy is one of the commonest technique of male breast reduction surgery encompassing direct removal of the glandular tissue with or without liposuction.

If breast enlargement is due to excessive fatty deposit but no actual glandular growth, the only liposuction is suggested. Various techniques of liposuction include suction-assisted liposuction, tumescent technique/wet techniques, super wet technique, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, endoscopic-assisted subcutaneous mastectomy and vacuum-assisted biopsy device.

The post-surgical recovery process in liposuction is quite tolerable. Patients are often given a compression garment which facilitates reduction of inflammation and improves blood flow to the healing tissues. Vigorous physical activity is not recommended for about 3 weeks.

Tissue excision surgery has opted in most severe cases of gynecomastia for patients who have stretched, sagging skin around the breasts. It comprises of removal of a huge amount of glandular tissue and/or skin that cannot be successfully treated with liposuction alone.

Complications of the above-indicated surgical options are hematoma/seroma, numbness of the nipple and areolar areas, the shedding of tissue due to loss of blood supply, breast asymmetry, nipple necrosis, large scars, sloughing of tissue due to a compromised blood supply, doughnut deformity, etc.

Related Post: Complete guide about gynecomastia