Male Breast Reduction
Surgery (Gynaecomastia)

Gynaecomastia, a medical term meaning enlarged breasts, affects up to 30% of men in Australia. Often it’s caused by anabolic steroid use, and as well as being painful, the condition can understandably cause a lot of emotional distress.

Gynaecomastia surgery, more commonly known as male breast reduction surgery provides a remedy to this, and luckily, it can be resolved using an advanced body contouring procedure, which selectively removed unwanted body fat.

During your consultation with Dr Tavakoli, explain your goals and expectations of the Gynaecomastia surgery. It is absolutely imperative that you communicate the degree of flatness you would expect from this operation. Photographs and other tools may be used in order to establish your expectations prior to any sugery. Dr Tavakoli will assess the nature of your breasts and the elasticity of your skin to determine the cause of your breast enlargement. It may be caused by fatty tissue and/or glandular tissue. Mostly, it will be a combination of the latter.

Being prepared and making informed decisions is important in undergoing any type of surgery. Consultation is necessary prior to undertaking Gynaecomastia surgery as well as an understanding of upfront Gynaecomastia surgery costs or any additional costs of male breast reduction that may arise during recovery.

Male breast reduction is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis using a light general anaesthesia. The procedure can last from one to two hours depending on the extent of correction.

1. Liposuction If your gynecomastia is primarily caused by fatty tissue, liposuction is usually the procedure of choice. Liposuction surgery is a procedure used to actually remove unwanted localized deposits of fat cells from the body. A cannula is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location (usually in the armpit) on the skin. Using a vacuum system attached to the cannula, excess fat cells are sucked out. The result of this approach to male breast reduction is a resculpting of bulging breasts into more attractive contours.
2. Traditional Surgical Excision will also be used if your gynecomastia is the result of a glandular enlargement, where liposuction alone is not likely to be adequate.. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. Typically, the surgical incision is placed on the edge of the areola (colored area of the nipple) and in the underarm area (for liposuction). Your surgeon will work through these incisions to cut away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from the breast.

Please note that if your male breast reduction requires the removal of significant amounts of tissue, larger skin incisions may be required. This in particular is true in patients who have experienced massive weight loss and are therefore left with abundance of saggy skin.

Bed rest is recommended for the first day. You will experience some pain for several days. Following your gynaecomastia surgery, you will wear surgical dressings and a special compression garment. This garment is needed to be worn for about four to six weeks.

There may be a drain tube coming out from under the armpit, which usually remains in place for 24-48 hours. The purpose of this drain tube is to create a means of sucking fluid out of the operated region.

Most discomfort associated with breast surgery can be controlled with male breast reduction surgery can be controlled with oral medication prescribed by your surgeon. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. Most men experience some degree of swelling, bruising and tenderness. These symptoms should subside in a short time. Within about 10 days, all sutures are removed. Dr Tavakoli will advise you on a proper schedule for returning to your normal activities. Most patients are back to work within 7-10 days.

In order, to maximize the result of your operation, Dr Tavakoli requires you to attend a physiotherapist who would use massage and ultrasound technique to facilitate the removal of lumpiness and uneven areas in your breast. All up 4-6 sessions of physiotherapy is recommended.