Gynecomastia or Reduction of Male breasts
The growth of male breasts is normally produced during puberty. This growth can cause, in teenagers for example, emotional and psychological problems. In other patients this exaggerated growth is due to the consumption of substances to strengthen muscles such as steroids. In other patients it is simply caused by a grade of excess weight.
However, in most cases the causes are unknown. They are usually patients with no illness and of normal weight who present with breasts which are too big. This can affect them socially and psychologically.
Many of our patients say that they are ashamed to wear tight t-shirts, undress at the gym or even go to the beach or pool.
The gynecomastia can be resolved through various techniques. We can perform an elimination of the fat with a liposuction. Or through the direct and complete extraction of the mammary gland and the fatty tissue. In very specific cases, such as those of patients who have lost 70-80 kgs or more, the surgery requires reconstructive techniques which can entail more visible scars, whereas normally the incisions are minimal.
Treatment
Elimination of the excess of glands, fat or both.
Type of anaesthetic
Local with sedation or general.
Side effects
Scars. Temporary pain, swelling and discomfort during the recuperation.
Duration of result
Permanent, with stable post-operatory weight and avoiding some medicines/drugs.
Duration of the treatment
1-2 hours
Hospitalization
Outpatient or admission for 24 hours.
Recuperation
Return to work in 4-7 days. Total Recuperation: 2-3 weeks.
Frequent questions
Logically it depends on the type of work that the patient has. A job which requires a lot of physical effort is not the same as another which is to be sat in front of a computer all day. If in your job you have to use your arms a lot, we recommend at least ten days rest and if your job requires less physical effort, four or five days should be sufficient.
You can go to the beach or the pool from the moment that the wounds are completely closed which is usually within two weeks.
You can exercise and lift heavy objects a month after the surgery. If possible, we recommend that you avoid lifting weights in the gymnasium, as it implies moving the pectoral muscles, for a month and a half.
When you leave the operating theatre, you will be wearing a compressive bandage which allows the inflammation to reduce and the body to heal well from that moment on. This bandage will be removed on the fourth day after surgery. From this moment on, you can shower normally.
You can do this a month after surgery.
You can sunbathe from the moment we remove the steri-strips (plasters that protect the wound, the stitches are inside and do not need removing, they dissolve naturally), which should be in two weeks. If you are going to the beach, you must wear a bikini and use factor 50+ sun protection on the scar.
A week after the intervention you can depilate.
You can travel perfectly on an aeroplane after the surgery. The prosthesis do explode or anything like that.
We recommend a compressive corset after the surgery. It improves the result and reduces certain complications such as a seroma. Additionally, it allows the chest to heal better.
We will show you photographs from previous cases so that you can get a more detailed idea of the final result.
After the surgery you will be irritated. It will not be pain, but irritation. You will have the sensation of aching, stiffness and some pressure. You will take medication for the pain which means that you will have more irritation at bed time, due to the bandage, the antibiotic etc. which will provoke discomfort more than pain.
Scars on breasts are sometimes inevitable. Many of them cannot be seen, such as those that coincide with the areola, as in the gynecomastia surgery. In most men they are practically imperceptible. Also, there are multiple treatments which improve the final result of scars such as silicon patches, rosehip oil, creams, laser, etc etc.
You should avoid taking aspirin or any other medication which provokes anticoagulation. Let us know if you usually take vitamin supplements or medicinal plants. Some make the blood coagulate more slowly.
In general, we recommend that any surgical intervention be performed when the patient is over 18 years old. In some cases, due to the psychological effects, the intervention can be carried out from 16 years on, with of course, the consent of one of the parents or tutors.