Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is the condition that affects the male breasts by causing them to grow in size due to excess fat or breast tissue. Most men experience it during puberty, but then grow out of it. For some men, the effects can linger well into adult life, requiring surgical correction. In this case, male breast reduction in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, AZ area can be an effective option when other treatments aren’t working.

Although many men struggle with gynecomastia, surgical treatment may not be the best option for every patient. It’s important to determine the cause of the condition during your consultation with Dr. Angelchik, who can recommend treatment options that should be tried before surgery. These can include lifestyle changes, assessing your medications, or simply waiting for puberty to be completed. If you are a good candidate for surgery, you should be in good physical and mental health and have realistic expectations about what this procedure can achieve. If you smoke, Dr. Angelchik will ask that you stop for at least a few months in advance of the procedure to ensure that your recovery is successful.

The course of your surgical gynecomastia treatment will depend mostly on the composition of your breasts. Dr. Angelchik can assess this and recommend the best option out of these techniques, which are often combined for better results:

Liposuction

One common technique to reduce the breasts is liposuction, which is a minimally-invasive procedure that removes fatty tissue through small incisions. This can usually be effective when gynecomastia is caused by excess fat after weight fluctuation.

Surgical Excision

In more extensive cases, surgical techniques can be used to remove excess skin and breast tissue, which is often too fibrous for liposuction. This method usually involves incisions around the pigment of the areolae in order to remove tissue and skin. In some cases, the reduced breast can be lifted and repositioned into a more upright, masculine position.

  Since your surgery will be unique to your anatomy and goals, Dr. Angelchik can give you the best idea of what to expect from your breast reduction procedure. Generally, gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility, although most patients return home after surgery. Once anesthesia is administered, Dr. Angelchik will perform a predetermined incision in order to reduce the breasts through surgical excision, liposuction, or both. After the desired contours are achieved, the incisions are closed, and drains are placed. You’ll then be fitted with a compression garment to wear during recovery to aid blood flow and help the skin adhere to the new contours.

Most patients feel comfortable returning to work or school within one or two weeks after surgery, although bruising and swelling can last longer. It’s important to avoid any strenuous activity or lifting during this time, as this can disrupt your incisions. Dr. Angelchik will ensure that you have prescribed medications to manage any discomfort. You’ll also be asked to manage drains for the first week or so before they are removed. Most patients notice that their results continue to refine over the course of a year or so after surgery as the skin continues to adapt to the new contours.

Dr. Angelchik is a top breast plastic surgeon in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale, AZ area who specializes in guiding men through the cosmetic surgery process. To begin discussing your gynecomastia options, schedule a consultation at our office by calling or filling out our online form.