Gynecomastia is a condition in which men suffer from overdeveloped or enlarged breast tissue.
This feminization of the chest is often linked to a hormonal imbalance and can be a source of self-consciousness in the men it affects. We offer male breast reduction at our St. Louis, MO, plastic surgery practice to remove excess breast tissue and restore a more masculine chest appearance.
Request A ConsultationWho Is a Good Candidate forGynecomastia Surgery?
Healthy, non-smoking men who want to treat their gynecomastia through surgery are strong candidates for male breast reduction. During your consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, we will evaluate your unique case, your medical history, and your goals for the procedure to make sure that surgery is the best choice for you.
Types of Gynecomastia Procedures
Liposuction
The liposuction male breast reduction technique uses a thin, hollow tube called a cannula to loosen and remove unwanted fat from the chest. The incisions used in this procedure are very small (usually 1/8th of an inch) and heal discreetly.
Open Tissue Excision
This technique can be performed with or without liposuction. Your plastic surgeon will make an incision around the areola and extract the excess fatty tissue. The resultant scar will blend near-seamlessly into the natural color delineation on your chest.
Open Excision With Skin Reduction
This technique is typically reserved for the most severe cases. In addition to removing fat, your surgeon will also trim away lax, sagging skin for improved chest contours. While this technique often involves the most extensive incisions and scars, the result is a significantly firmer, flatter chest.
Male Breast Reduction Benefits
After treatment for gynecomastia, our patients enjoy:
- Enhanced chest and neck contours
- Greater symmetry in the chest
- A flatter, more masculine chest appearance
- Increased body confidence
What To Expect During Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery?
Following your procedure, you will need to wear a compression garment to support the chest area and keep swelling to a minimum. This vest-like garment can be hidden well under most shirts. If your surgery involved skin excision, you may also have drains put in place to prevent serous (wound) fluid from building up.
We will give you detailed instructions on properly caring for your drains and ensuring a safe, smooth recovery. During the first few days, you will experience some soreness and bruising, but ice packs, gentle arm movements, and over-the-counter pain medication can alleviate discomfort.
You can resume light, nonstrenuous exercise after a week, though it may take 4 to 6 weeks before all activity restrictions can be limited. After the first 2 or 3 weeks, you will switch from the compression vest to a light, comfortable compression shirt similar to what athletes wear under their uniforms. You will need to wear this garment for another few weeks until you are cleared by your surgeon.
It may take up to 3 months before you are comfortable being seen shirtless. By this point, the swelling will have mostly resolved, and the incisions will have started to fade.
Gynecomastia Surgery FAQs
What causes gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is often caused by hormonal changes, particularly an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone. However, certain medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors (e.g., obesity or excessive alcohol consumption) can contribute to the appearance of male breasts.
Are the results of male breast reduction permanent?
Your surgical results are typically long-lasting, as fat cells won’t regenerate once removed from the body. However, gaining significant weight can cause the remaining fat cells to enlarge, which can compromise your results. Keeping a stable weight and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help you enjoy your results indefinitely.
Trust Our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons for Your Gynecomastia Surgery
If you are suffering from gynecomastia and want to redefine your chest contours, the four board-certified plastic surgeons at St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery can help. Request a consultation online or call us at (636) 530-6161 to get started.
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