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!
Have you ever heard of the term “man boobs”? Many people who use this term are not aware that there is often a real medical condition connected to it. Gynecomastia is a fairly common condition that causes males to experience excess breast tissue. It can affect males of all ages and can occur in one or both breasts. While some may notice their gynecomastia symptoms resolve on their own during adolescence, some men live with this condition into adulthood. In these cases,male breast reduction surgery is often required to achieve the masculine chest contours that are desired. Gynecomastia surgery is an effective treatment for those who wish to eliminate their excess breast tissue.
What is Gynecomastia Surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction surgery, is an effective solution to male breast enlargement due to gynecomastia. For the majority of males, this procedure is performed under light general anesthesia. During this procedure, excess glandular tissue is excised and liposuction employed to eliminate excess fat and excess breast tissue from the chest area for a more masculine chest appearance. However, there are an array oftechniques that can be employed during this procedure depending on the patient and desired outcomes. As an outpatient procedure in most cases, patients are free to return home during the healing process. This surgical procedure should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon for optimal results.
The Lateral Pull Through Technique
The Lateral Pull Through technique is an alternative to treatment of the large majority of patients with gynecomastia. In Dr. Delgado’s experience, it routinely includes traditional liposuction, ultrasonic-assisted liposuction, and direct excision all through a 4-millimeter opening along the lateral areola placed on the side of the chest. It avoids the use of a lower peri-areolar scar. (Not that there is anything wrong with a peri-areolar scar, for in fact the vast majority of surgeons still use them today.) He believes the advantage is that there is a smaller scar with the lateral pull-through because there is less direct cutting.
While peri-areolar scars generally heal very well, the scars that sometimes show near the nipple could make the patient feel a little self-conscious if visible.
Also similar to peri-areolar techniques, the Lateral Pull-through technique has a quick and relatively easy recovery. In the end, the technique that the surgeon is most comfortable with, and can deliver consistent, predictable results is the one that should be used.
Schedule a Consultation in the San Francisco Bay Area
If you are interested in learning more about gynecomastia surgery and if it is right for you, pleasecontact Dr. Delgado in San Francisco or Novato today. During your one-on-one consultation, Dr. Delgado will discuss your medical history and perform a physical exam to determine the best surgical technique for your case.
Gynecomastia Surgery San Francisco FAQs
What are some of the most common causes of gynecomastia?
There is not just one cause of gynecomastia. Hormonal imbalance, anabolic steroids, certain drugs, and some medications can all lead to the formation of gynecomastia. Moderate breast enlargement in males can occur at any age.
What is false gynecomastia?
False gynecomastia, also calledpseudogynecomastia, is characterized by enlarged male breasts due to excess fatty tissue in the chest. This is common in males who are overweight or have experienced significant weight gain. Weight loss is often an effective solution. An initial consultation with Dr. Delgado can help determine if you have false gynecomastia and what your treatment options are.
What is a compression garment?
Following surgical correction of gynecomastia, patients will need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling in the treatment area. It is imperative that you wear this garment as instructed by your surgeon for optimal results.
Is gynecomastia surgery safe?
As with any plastic surgery procedure, there are some risks involved with gynecomastia surgery. However, when performed by a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, these risks are diminished. Some risks may include visible scarring, breast shape and contour irregularities, bleeding, and more.
