What is male breast reduction for gynecomastia?
Did you know that overdevelopment of excess breast tissue can occur in up to 60 percent of men? The problem often begins in adolescence and may not resolve on its own. People with this problem are highly self-conscious about the way their chest looks. Male breast reduction (gynecomastia treatment) will eliminate this problem by surgical excision of excess fat and glandular tissue from underneath the nipple and areola.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breasts due to a hormonal imbalance during puberty, weight gain (pseudo-gynecomastia), and other medical conditions. It is mostly seen in teenage boys and older men.
How is male breast reduction performed?
The traditional approach uses large disfiguring incisions on the chest wall to flatten the overall chest contour and often requires longer incisions after extreme weight loss. Although improvements in contour are possible with this technique, the presence of large scars can lead to psychological and emotional stress.
Dr. Panossian’s technique involves a limited-incision style whereby he reduces the enlarged breast through a single remote incision. Through this small incision, he injects a solution of diluted epinephrine into the deep and superficial layers of the breast. This solution is identical to what we use in standard liposuction. This allows decreased swelling and bleeding during the liposuction portion of the surgery. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Panossian uses either Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL) or Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL) in cases of dense breast tissues. We use this technique to remove the excess fat widely over the chest wall. Through the same incision, the surgeon divides the connections between the glandular breast tissue and any overlying nipple as well as skin. This tissue is then grasped and extracted to complete the process. Dr. Panossian repeats the process on the opposite breast. Then, the patient will wear a compression garment or firm wrap at the end of the surgery.
Recovery
What is the recovery?
Male breast reduction is usually an outpatient procedure. Discomfort may last for several days following surgery and is well-controlled usually with oral pain medications. Bruising may be present and can last for 2 or more weeks. Swelling may persist for several weeks. The elastic compression garment will need to be worn for six weeks to ensure proper healing. Mild swelling may persist for several months after the surgery.
We encourage patients to walk on the same day as their male breast reduction surgery. We also recommend having someone pick you up and help you at home for the first 24 hours. People usually return to work 1 to 2 weeks following surgery. Stitches placed are usually dissolvable. Gentle exercise may begin in 2 weeks, but you should still avoid aggressive activities, heavy lifting, and sports for 6 weeks. Limit your sun exposure for 6 to 12 months. Otherwise, the scar can be covered with tape or with liberal application of sunblock. Dr. Panossian will go over his unique scar management protocol to achieve the best possible results.
Risks and Complications
What are the risks and complications?
As with most plastic surgery procedures, with a healthy lifestyle and no latent medical conditions, complications are infrequent and are usually minor. In any case, Dr. Panossian must first determine whether you are an ideal candidate for male breast reduction or not. Risks of bleeding, infection and general anesthesia complications can occur with virtually all surgeries. In addition, there is a risk of fluid accumulation underneath the chest skin. This fluid accumulation can be blood or a type of normal lymphatic fluid, called a seroma. Often, we can solve these fluid accumulations sucking them out with a needle in the office on one or more occasions. However, in the case of large or recurrent accumulations, additional surgery may be required to decompress them.
Other problems of gynecomastia surgery can include noticeable scars or subtle pigmentation changes in the breast area. Loss of breast skin sensation or numbness can occur. Asymmetry may be present with respect to differences in the nipple and areola or with the overall reduction volume. Much of the asymmetry may resolve with further healing and subsidence of swelling. However, significant asymmetry may require a second surgery to remove additional tissue.
Dr. Panossian’s staff is available at all times to discuss pre- and postoperative instructions and to address any potential problems following surgery.
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- Leon Armstrong
Why choose Dr Panossian
- He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
- Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
- Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
- Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
- Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
- Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
- Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
- Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
- Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
- Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Male Breast Reduction
If you live near Pasadena, CA, Dr. Panossian offers male breast reduction among its services, and is conveniently located at 39 Congress St., Suite 402 Pasadena, CA 91105
Last modified by Dr. Andre Panossian
