Are you tired of living with excess male breast tissue, or “man boobs” and are researching if male breast reduction surgery is right for you? If so, it is vital that you do the necessary research regarding this procedure, as well as what to expect afterward such as scarring.
About Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a condition that results in male breast enlargement. The main cause is hormonal changes or imbalances between the hormones testosterone and estrogen, though it can also be caused by the use of certain medications, drugs, or anabolic steroids.
Commonsymptoms may include swollen breast tissue, nipple sensitivity, breast pain, enlarged breasts, puffy nipples, and nipple discharge. However, for some, the only sign of gynecomastia is enlarged male breast tissue.
Individuals living with gynecomastia in one or both breasts often experience feelings of low-self esteem or embarrassment and therefore seek out treatment options. Gynecomastia surgery is a cosmetic procedure that can correct gynecomastia for long-term outcomes. However, there are some things to consider regarding surgery, including the risk of scarring and how to treat gynecomastia surgery scars. Read on to learn more.
What Causes Scarring?
Scars form on the skin as the body is healing from an injury (or from an incision created during surgery). For a scar to form, a wound must be deep enough to injure the inner layers of the skin or the dermis. Cells will quickly create collagen to repair the wound, which results in tissue that is thicker and less flexible than the surrounding skin (the scar).
Overall, there is an array of factors that ultimately determine the extent of scarring after gynecomastia surgery. This includes the surgical technique used, the patient’s genetic makeup, and how well aftercare instructions are followed.
Because gynecomastia surgery involves the creation of incisions, there is a risk of scarring. The incision forgynecomastia surgery is made in the breast tissue partially around the areola. As it heals it usually is well hidden due to the change in skin texture and color. However, for some, a thick scar known as a keloid or hypertrophic scar may form leaving the patient with a new problem that may make him still feel uncomfortable going shirtless. The more excess skin that needs to be excised during surgery, the higher the risk of additional scarring.
This may also come down to genetics, as some men produce more collagen than others during the healing process. It is the excess collagen that makes a raised and noticeable scar.
Choosing an experienced board-certifiedgynecomastia surgeon is your best bet in getting optimal surgical results including the healing of your incisions.
Scar Solutions Following Gynecomastia Surgery
Following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions plays a large part in reducing scarring. The visibility of scarring can be exacerbated when incisions are not cared for properly after surgery.
Dr. Miguel Delgado, M.D. stresses to his patients the importance of following all preoperative and postoperative instructions in order for them to get the best results. When it comes to the care of the incisions, he warns patients to avoid direct sunlight for 6 months to a year and to wear protective clothing or broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent the development of hypertrophic scars. Prioritizing proper hygiene after surgery is also paramount.
After the healing of the incisions, silicone sheets are used to control the formation of keloids. Silicone sheets or scar gels are effective as silicone hydrates the scar tissue and reduces the production of collagen fibers. Using dermatology-grade skin care products sold at a plastic surgery or dermatology office can also be useful for keeping the skin healthy and strong.
Schedule a Consultation in San Francisco
Gynecomastia surgery is not deemed medically necessary nor is the removal of the resulting scars, but many men suffer severe psychological distress making solutions essential. If you are interested in learning more about gynecomastia surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area,contact Dr. Delgado today.
As one of the premier gynecomastia plastic surgeons in the San Francisco and Novato areas, you can trust Dr. Delgado to provide the professional and natural-looking results you desire. He takes the time to create a treatment plan for each individual patient to help achieve the desired chest appearance.
Gynecomastia Scar FAQs
Does gynecomastia surgery involve large incisions?
The incisions created during gynecomastia surgery are not particularly large, though the length of the scar depends on the grade or severity of the gynecomastia.
Do most patients with gynecomastia find surgery to be the best treatment?
Individuals with true gynecomastia (gynecomastia caused by glandular tissue in the breasts) find that gynecomastia surgery is an effective and long-lasting solution.
Will all gynecomastia surgery patients experience scars?
Because gynecomastia surgery involves the creation of incisions, all patients will experience scars. However, the degree of scarring will vary depending on genetics and how well an individual follows aftercare directions.
What does good hygiene look like after gynecomastia surgery?
While Dr. Delgado will provide you with specific aftercare instructions it is important to properly clean your incisions with proper hygiene. This may include washing the wounds with antimicrobial soap to keep them clean of sweat and bacteria.
Can male breast cancer impact my gynecomastia surgery results?
Puffy- nipples | Gynecomastia (male breasts) before and after
The results of gynecomastia surgery should be natural-looking and help men achieve a flatter chest. Unfortunately “puffy nipples” aftergynecomastia surgery seems to be a common problem; it is mentioned frequently on the forums on this site and the popular website “Real Self.” Read on to learn why some men may have puffy nipples after gynecomastia surgery, how this can be corrected, and more.
Gynecomastia Overview
To begin, let us give a brief overview of gynecomastia and how to treat it. Gynecomastia is a condition that can affect males of all ages, resulting in enlarged breasts. It is most often caused by imbalanced hormone levels, though it may also be caused by the use of anabolic steroids, some recreational drugs, or certain prescription medications.
To diagnose gynecomastia, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional or gynecomastia surgeon. Some patients may believe that they have true gynecomastia, when in fact, their high level of body fat is the cause of their enlarged breasts. These cases are known as pseudo-gynecomastia, which can often be corrected with weight loss alone.
In individuals with true gynecomastia, the most effective gynecomastia treatment is male breast reduction surgery. This is because the cause of enlarged breasts is glandular tissue and excess breast tissue, which cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone.
What Can Cause Puffy Nipples
In less experienced hands, some gynecomastia surgeons will try to reduce male breast enlargement with liposuction alone which will not remove the breast gland or glandular tissue. Other surgeons are very conservative in the surgical removal of breast tissue for fear of a “crater deformity.” In both cases, “puffy nipples” and “crater deformity” will require revision surgery for correction.Gynecomastia revision surgery for a “crater deformity” will involve fat grafts or a fat flap. Revision for “puffy nipples” will require additional excision which will be more complicated due to formed scar tissue from the original surgery.
It is vital that surgeons remove all of the glandular tissue to ensure that puffy nipples do not occur following surgery. When this is done, the recurrence of gynecomastia is very rare.
The Best Way to Avoid Complications Like Puffy Nipples
Overall, it is imperative to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes ingynecomastia surgery to avoid puffy nipples. Sculpting the chest with the right balance of remaining fat and breast tissue is an art and needs to be performed by an expert. If too much breast gland is removed a “crater deformity” will be the result. If too much gland is left behind the areola /nipple complex it will push outward and “puffy nipples” will be the result.
When choosing your gynecomastia revision surgeon, do your homework. Be sure your surgeon has experience in revision surgery. Also, ask to see before and after pictures of patients who have had corrective surgery. This will help to give you a clearer idea of what the surgeon can accomplish.
Gynecomastia Surgery in San Francisco and Novato
If you are experiencing gynecomastia symptoms or are bothered by enlarged male breasts due to gynecomastia, gynecomastia surgery may be right for you. Pleasecontact Dr. Delgado today to schedule a consultation appointment. During this consultation, he will discuss your health conditions, health history, and your desired results to create a personalized treatment plan for you.
Gynecomastia/Puffy Nipples FAQs
What are the symptoms of gynecomastia?
While some individuals only experience enlarged breast tissue and/or excess breast tissue in one or both breasts, others may also experience furthersymptoms such as puffy nipples, sensitivity in the nipple area, nipple discharge, and breast pain or discomfort.
What do puffy nipples look like?
Puffy nipples have a noticeable cone shape, causing the areola to appear puffed out. They may be more pronounced during warmer temperatures, which can be distressful for individuals during the summer when many males go shirtless. Most patients with puffy nipples who visit Dr. Delgado explain that they avoid situations that involve taking their shirt off or tight clothing such as physical activity or spending time at the beach due to their gynecomastia and puffy nipples.
How do I know if gynecomastia surgery is right for me?
Overall, treating gynecomastia effectively depends on the underlying cause. Meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is a great chance to discuss your treatment options. Those with true gynecomastia often find that breast surgery is an effective option for them.
Do all males with a hormone imbalance develop gynecomastia?
No, not all men with hormonal imbalances will acquire gynecomastia. Though, those with certain changes in testosterone levels and estrogen levels may develop this condition. Individuals who take certain medications such as those to treat prostate cancer may also experience gynecomastia. The best way to determine if you have gynecomastia is to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Do all surgeons perform gynecomastia surgery?
No, not all surgeons perform male breast reduction. To ensure that you employ the best possible surgeon for your individual case, you must be sure to do your research. Specifically, seek out board-certified plastic surgeons who have experience performing techniques to correct gynecomastia.
A major concern of many men contemplating male breast reduction surgery is, “Will my excess breast tissue grow back after being surgically removed?” The answer is that it is very rare, but it can happen. Read on to learn more about gynecomastia and the possibility of regrowth.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that results in male breast enlargement in boys and men in one or both breasts. The main cause of this condition is changes or fluctuations in hormone levels.
Understandably, this condition can take a toll on a male’s self-esteem and confidence, making it difficult to maintain a sense of well-being. Thankfully, gynecomastia surgery is an effective solution to help males achieve the flat, masculine chest contour they desire.
When is Male Breast Reduction Surgery Needed?
When boys go through puberty, 65% will have some breast development due to their fluctuating hormones. Within a few months and up to 2 years, about 95% will see their chests return to normal without any intervention. For the remaining 5%,male breast reduction surgery will be the
option.
Gynecomastia surgery is often performed under light general anesthesia and involves the excision of glandular tissue along with liposuction. For severe cases of gynecomastia, excess skin, and tissue may also need to be removed for optimal results. In order to determine if you are an ideal candidate for this procedure, it is recommended that you seek out and schedule a consultation appointment with a skilled gynecomastia specialist like Dr. Delgado.
When Does Gynecomastia Recurrence Occur?
When boys have severe psychological repercussions from excess male breast tissue, surgery may be warranted. If surgery is done before the end of puberty, there is a small risk of regrowth. Weight gain and excess fatty tissue is also a possible reason for the recurrence of the male breast enlargement. During surgery, most of the fat cells will be removed, but some remain to sculpt the chest. Significant weight gain can also cause the remaining fat cells to expand.
Other possible sources for the regrowth of breast tissue may be:
Marijuana and other recreational drugs • Certain medications • Anabolic steroids • Hormonal imbalance • Decrease in testosterone • Psychological stress • Scar tissue build-up
In all cases, the chance of regrowth is so low that it should not be a factor in a man’s decision to have a normal chest. When seeking a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, you will be asked detailed questions by the surgeon to determine the cause of your male breasts to prevent recurrence.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering gynecomastia surgery to combat excess breast tissue,contact Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Delgado in Novato and San Francisco, CA today. With over 30 years of experience successfully treating patients with gynecomastia symptoms, you can trust that you are in skilled hands under his care.
Gynecomastia Surgery FAQs
Is gynecomastia surgery permanent?
In the majority of cases, the results of gynecomastia surgery are permanent. In order to ensure optimal results, seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in gynecomastia surgery.
After gynecomastia surgery, can the male breasts grow back?
While rare, there are some instances where enlarged breasts return following gynecomastia surgery. During your consultation appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon, they will ask you questions to best pinpoint the cause of your male breasts to prevent the chance of recurrence.
Can gynecomastia surgery remove breast cancer?
No, gynecomastia surgery is not the appropriate surgery to remove breast cancer.
Around the World, Men Suffer From Gynecomastia, Yearly statistics reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), show gynecomastia or male breast reduction surgery has increased each year since the reporting began in the year 2000. The development of female type breasts in men is not confined to the United States.
Stories emerge daily regarding men around the world who have gynecomastia. Recently an article was published about a man from Singapore who we will call David. David dealt with man boobs for over 20 years and may have continued to do so if it weren’t for the fact that he also had chest pain. He sought medical advice because he was concerned he might have a heart problem. Thankfully after seeking medical advice, the tests proved he and his heart were healthy.
David decided to try losing weight by diet and exercise to see if that would reduce his breasts. He did lose weight, but his breasts and chest pain remained. Determined to find a resolution David started researching on the internet. His search results revealed that he might have gynecomastia. He found a gynecomastia surgeon who confirmed his suspicions and recommended surgery. With encouragement from his wife to proceed, David scheduled surgery, and he hasn’t looked back since! After his recovery he stated that he feels like a “real man” and his chest pain disappeared!
David shares his personal experience with the goal that it will encourage other men to take action and not wait 20 years for a resolution like he did.
In another part of the world, Scotland reported cosmetic surgical procedures are on the rise. Gynecomastia is one of the top procedures requested by men; statistics showed an increase of 13% over 2014. Cosmetic surgery clinics are popping up throughout major cities in Scotland due to increased demands.
Gynecomastia.org has been providing men worldwide with the best source of information and forums since its inception in 1998. One of the choices under the forums tabs is “International Forums” representing multiple choices of different countries where men can interact with men from their own country, getting support, asking questions, and obtain reviews on surgeons who perform gynecomastia surgery in their area.
An essential step of any surgical procedure and effective treatment is a preoperative appointment. During this appointment, you and your plastic surgeon will go over preparations and details for surgery. Most plastic surgeons tend to follow the same preoperative protocols, but each also has their own way of preparing for surgery. If you’re considering plastic surgery forenlarged male breasts, then this appointment will be an essential step in your journey here in San Francisco. This article is a guide to what you can expect from your preoperative gynecomastia appointment with our board-certified plastic surgeon,Dr. Miguel Delgado.
Gynecomastia Consultation Vs. Preoperative Appointment
It’s important to note that a surgery consultation and a preoperative appointment are two separate things. A consultation is where you’ll meet with Dr. Delgado to discuss your concerns (i.e. male breast tissue or excess fat) and what’s bringing you to consider plastic surgery. Dr. Delgado will perform a physical exam of the chest area to determine the type of tissue causing your gynecomastia. He will also discuss what factors could be causing gynecomastia or male breasts, such as hormonal imbalance. He’ll also determine if you’re an ideal candidate by going over your medical history and ensuring you’re in good health. If he determines that you can benefit from a gynecomastia procedure, you’ll learn more about the advanced techniques that can be used, such as liposuction, to achieve a more notably male chest. If you and Dr. Delgado decide to go ahead with surgery to correct gynecomastia, then a preoperative appointment is scheduled.
What is a Preoperative Appointment?
In general, the preoperative appointment takes place approximately two weeks prior to surgery. The purpose of this appointment is to ensure patients have directions on preparing for gynecomastia surgery, including the days leading up to surgery and the surgery date itself. You’ll meet with Dr. Delgado and our patient care coordinator and will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about your preparation, male breast reduction procedure, and recovery. Finally, you’ll complete the paperwork and go over payment. In short, a preoperative appointment is designed to help your surgery go smoothly by ensuring you have all the information you need – and the chance to ask questions of Dr. Delgado and our team.
What Happens During a Preoperative Appointment?
At your preoperative gynecomastia surgery appointment, you’ll first meet with Dr. Delgado to review all details of your procedure and how it will be performed. This will include every step like creating a small incision, removing glandular tissue, and lifting excess skin. This is a great opportunity to ask Dr. Delgado any questions or state concerns you have about your gynecomastia surgery. Preoperative photos will be taken so you can later compare your before-and-after images.
Next, you’ll meet with our patient care coordinator. You’ll be given a surgical information booklet that contains all your preoperative and postoperative instructions. You’ll review these instructions in detail with our coordinator to ensure all your questions are answered and that you understand them.
Some of the most important topics at this point include:
Blood Thinners and Medications
Certain medications like blood-thinning pain medications (ibuprofen and aspirin) must be discontinued for a few weeks prior to surgery. You’ll confirm this with our patient coordinator, as well as review all current medications and supplements you take. This is an essential step as it maintains a safe and risk-averse surgical procedure. You’ll be given information about your anesthesiologist who will call to review your medical history the day prior to surgery.
Fasting
Your instructions for fasting before surgery will depend on the type of anesthesia used. If your procedure will include general anesthesia, then it’s essential to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before male breast reduction surgery. This is one of the most important pre-operative steps as it means surgery can’t be performed if not followed.
Prescriptions and Blood Tests
Our patient coordinator will go over your prescribed medications and review the instructions on how to take them. These medications typically include antibiotics, anti-nausea, and pain meds. We recommend filling these medications ahead of your surgery date so you have them on hand when you get home. Dr. Delgado will also order blood tests for medical clearance and our coordinator will review the process for completing this.
Recovery Preparation
You’ll discuss your recovery and how to prepare for it – most importantly, confirming that you’ll have a responsible adult available to bring you home afterward. Additionally, you’ll be fitted with a compression garment that fits snugly over the chest area to help reduce swelling and boost your healing process. You’ll be given directions on wearing it after surgery.
You’ll also go over instructions on recovering successfully. This means things like limiting physical activity, managing pain, how to minimize swelling, and more. You’ll also go over how to maintain your results for the long term, like taking steps to avoid exposing your incisions to sunlight and living a healthy lifestyle to prevent weight gain.
Payment and Consent Forms
You’ll review patient consent forms with our coordinator and have the opportunity to ask questions. Once these are signed and filed away, you’ll get a detailed quote for yourmale breast reduction cost and we’ll collect payment.
Tips for a Successful Preoperative Male Breast Reduction Appointment
The best way to ensure a successful preoperative appointment is by doing a little preparation. Make sure you have your complete medical history and the names and dosages of any medications. If you have any medical conditions, make sure to bring the details of your diagnosis. The more detailed information you can supply, the better our team can help you prepare for surgery.
Before your appointment, we recommend spending some time writing down questions you have. Most patients forget important questions in the moment because of the amount of information you’ll receive throughout your appointment – having a quick list to refer to can help get your questions answered. Make sure to also write down details during your appointment so you don’t forget.
Although it may seem overwhelming, Dr. Delgado takes every step to ensure patients make an informed decision. If you forget questions or need more information about your pre-operative appointment or surgery date, don’t hesitate to call our office. Dr. Delgado’s main goal is for you to have a safe, stress-free, and successful surgery.
Contact Us
Male breast reduction remains the best way to achieve a more masculine chest and boost self-esteem. To learn more about gynecomastia treatment and your male breast reduction options in San Francisco, contact Dr. Delgado today by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I shave my chest before gynecomastia surgery?
Yes – the night before, please shave your chest and trim your armpits for easier access during the procedure.
What tests are done before gynecomastia surgery?
Dr. Delgado will order blood work ahead of your procedure to ensure you’re in good overall health. In the case where your gynecomastia might be caused by hormone imbalance, he may order tests to check your hormone levels.
Is there pain after gynecomastia surgery?
As with general surgery, there will be some degree of pain after gynecomastia treatment. Dr. Delgado will prescribe pain medications ahead of your procedure.
How long before surgery do you have a pre-op assessment?
Pre-operative appointments are usually scheduled two weeks in advance of your surgery date. This allows you time to complete any pre-operative steps and ensure you’re ready for your procedure.
