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.
How to Prepare for Gynecomastia Surgery? The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is an educational organization. The purpose of the society, whose members are all board certified plastic surgeons, is to sponsor scientific meetings with the most up to date advances in cosmetic plastic surgery.
ASAPS has a guide called “The Smart Beauty Guide” that was created to help patients make informed decisions regarding cosmetic plastic surgery.
In the section for gynecomastia surgery, the guide recommends the following steps should be taken to prepare one’s self for gynecomastia surgery:
Avoid getting your chest sun tanned two weeks before surgery as it is possible to increase permanent scarring.
Stop smoking or using any nicotine products at least four weeks before surgery. Nicotine can delay healing.
Stop taking any medications and supplements that contain blood thinners such as aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, St, John’s Wort, Gingko, green tea, etc., for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
Be sure to stay hydrated before and after surgery for a safe recovery.
Keep your surgeon informed if you develop a cold, illness, or skin infection in the surgical area a week before surgery.
Be sure to get your lab test results to your surgeon promptly.
Plan to take at least one week off work or more if your job is labor intensive.
Arrange to have a responsible adult drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Plan to have comfortable clothing available, preferably shirts that open in the front.
No heavy lifting is allowed for several weeks after surgery.
Organize reading material, movies, and laptop projects, to keep you occupied during recovery.
Be sure to get prescriptions filled in advance.
Making sure you are prepared in advance for your surgery will ensure a stress-free recovery.
25 Questions to Ask at Your Gynecomastia Consultation, When a man decides to get a consultation for gynecomastia, it is understandable that he is somewhat anxious. He is admitting that he has a condition that causes him extreme embarrassment. It would be wise to write down all questions and concerns in advance, as it is easy to forget what you want to ask once you are at your appointment.
In addition to your questions, here are some suggestions you may want to consider:
Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Will I need a compression vest? If so, for how long?
What will my recovery be like?
How much time will I need to take off work?
When can I resume exercise?
What risks are associated with my surgery?
If I have a complication, how will it be handled?
Do you have before and after pictures for me to view?
What is the cost?
Can my male breasts grow back?
Thats are the 25 Questions to Ask at Your Gynecomastia Consultation When you are choosing your gynecomastia surgeon, be sure you feel comfortable not only with your surgeon but the entire staff.
If you’re in the process of learning more aboutgynecomastia, you’ve likely come across information about gynecomastia surgery and how it can help reduce breast tissue and fat. Plastic surgery can be a big commitment for anyone, so it’s normal to feel hesitant about going through with such a life-changing experience. One thing we recommend to be part of your research process is reading more about other men’s experiences with gynecomastia surgery. By reading firsthand accounts of men who have undergone gynecomastia surgery, you can get a trustworthy look at the whole experience from the first consultation to the operation to the final result. Here are a few reasons to explore testimonials andpersonal experiences as you consider your options with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Miguel Delgado.
They Spread Awareness
Many men go throughlife with gynecomastia and excess breast tissue without realizing that there are treatment options. Although “man boobs” are the butt of many jokes, gynecomastia is a medical condition that can be a serious detractor from your self-confidence. It’s normal for men to think they’re alone in being worried about the appearance of their chest until they encounter other men online who face the same problems. The more men learn about gynecomastia, the less likely they are to experience emotional distress and self-consciousness about it – especially after cosmetic surgery.
They Can Boost Your Courage
Learning more aboutgynecomastia surgery can be one thing, but going through with a consultation can be another. For many men, opening up about being self-conscious of enlarged breasts can cause embarrassment – especially when gynecomastia is already met with ridicule. Reading other men’s experiences with gynecomastia surgeons who understand the unique challenges of life with male breast tissue can help steer you in the right direction and boost your courage when it comes to scheduling an appointment.
They Help Build Community
Men with gynecomastia can feel extremely isolated for a lot of reasons. For some men, their self-consciousness prevents them from engaging in social activities with friends or family. Others may feel alone in their emotional discomfort of living with gynecomastia. Reading or watching other men’s experiences with male breast reduction surgery can help you feel a sense of community. By learning more about other men facing similar issues or even interacting on online forums, you can find answers and get support for your next steps.
They Help Manage Expectations
There’s a huge amount of information available about gynecomastia and male breast reduction surgery, but it’s not always relevant to your experience and expectations. Testimonials and reviews from other gynecomastia patients can help you understand the ins and outs of gynecomastia surgery with specific plastic surgeons you may be considering. You can find recommendations, advice, and tips from actual patients so you can better understand what to expect. And you can also see firsthand the life-changing results that can boost well-being and confidence.
Read Real Gynecomastia Stories
If you’re exploring your options with gynecomastia surgery, then Dr. Delgado can help. We maintain the largest online community of gynecomastia patients dedicated to offering support and helping men learn more about their options. The Dr. Delgado YouTube channel is an additional resource where you can find patient stories and experiences that you may find relatable to your gynecomastia journey. Visit ouronline forums and schedule avirtual consultation with Dr. Delgado in San Francisco or Novato, CA today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gynecomastia surgery worth it?
The vast majority of men who undergo male breast reduction surgery remark that they should’ve decided to go through with gynecomastia treatment years ago. For most of Dr. Delgado’s gynecomastia patients, the procedure and its confidence-boosting results are a complete success.
Can you get rid of gynecomastia without surgery?
This answer will be unique for each person. In some cases, gynecomastia can go away by simply waiting or implementing lifestyle changes. In other cases, surgical removal is the other way to get rid of male breasts.
Should I worry about gynecomastia?
Most often, gynecomastia is not harmful to your health (unless there are underlying health causes). However, many men still experience symptoms like anxiety and depression – in which case, plastic surgery with a qualified and experienced gynecomastia doctor can be beneficial.
My Gynecomastia Story, In looking for information on gynecomastia; reading reviews, searching websites for articles are all good, but when you get an opinion from a patient that has experienced gynecomastia surgery, that is invaluable! Miguel Delgado, M.D. has a patient that recently made a video of his experience to share with other men who are contemplating male breast reduction surgery.
The out of town gynecomastia patient starts his story from his arrival at his hotel to his third day postoperatively. You may find the video is not a state of the art production; however, it lends to its authenticity.
Our patient, who we will call Matt, explains how he is feeling at the time of his arrival, and while he is slightly nervous, he is mostly anxious because he is very hungry! All patients that undergo surgery with general anesthesia need to be NPO for several hours’ prior surgery. NPO is Latin for nil per os, which means no food or drink. Matt’s surgery is going to be in the afternoon, so he is focusing more on his hunger than being nervous for surgery. He also states that he is very excited to be finally having his surgery.
Matt displays all of his medications and explains what they are for, starting with his VitaMedica vitamins, which he started two weeks before surgery. VitaMedica are high quality vitamins that Dr. Delgado believes are of great benefit to his surgery patients. Next, Matt shows his antibiotics and anti-nausea medications, and then for after surgery, he has pain medication. It is recommended to write down when medications are taken as it is easy to forget what you took and when.
After taking a preoperative shower, our patient heads off to the surgery center for his much awaited procedure. After his pre-operative work up, Matt is taken to the operating room. The video then goes to three days after surgery when Matt arrived at the office to get his drains taken out. Still in recovery mode, it is obvious that Matt is very happy with his decision to have male breast reduction surgery and states he is ready to live life!
Gynecomastia surgeons all agree that male breast reduction surgery is very rewarding not only for the patient but for the surgeon who impacts men’s lives in such a positive way!
