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Gynecomastia San Francisco Bay Area: Male Breast Reduction
Male breast overdevelopment, technically
known as gynecomastia, affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent
of men! It may affect only one breast or both. Though certain
drugs and medical problems have been linked with male breast
over development, there is no known cause in the vast majority
of cases.
The Best Candidates For Gynecomastia
Surgery to correct gynecomastia can
be performed on healthy men of any age. The best candidates
for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the
body's new contours.
The Procedure For Gynecomastia Correction
If your gynecomastia consists primarily
of excessive fatty tissue, (this is the most common), Dr.
Rajagopal will likely use liposuction to remove the excess
fat. A small incision, less than a half-inch in length, is
made around the edge of the areola- the dark skin that surrounds
the nipple. Alternatively, the incision may be placed in the
underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula, which
is attached to a vacuum pump, is then inserted into the incision.
Using strong, deliberate strokes, Dr. Rajagopal moves the
cannula through the layers beneath the skin, breaking up the
fat and suctioning it out. Patients may feel a vibration or
some friction during the procedure, but generally no pain.
If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast
enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel.
The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with
Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL). In a typical gynecomastia procedure,
an incision is made in an inconspicuous location - either
on the edge of the areola or in the under arm area. Working
through the incision, Dr. Rajagopal cuts away the excess glandular
tissue, fat and skin from around the areola and from the sides
and bottom of the breast. Major reductions that involve the
removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin may require
larger incisions that result in more conspicuous scars. If
liposuction is used to remove excess fat, the cannula is usually
inserted through the existing incisions.
In extreme cases where large amounts
of fat or glandular tissue have been removed, skin may not
adjust well to the new smaller breast contour. In these cases,
excess skin may have to be removed to allow the remaining
skin to firmly adjust to the new breast contour. Sometimes,
a small drain is inserted through a separate incision to draw
off excess fluids. Once closed, the incisions are usually
covered with a dressing. The chest may be wrapped to keep
the skin firmly in place.
After the Gynecomastia Procedure
Whether you've had excision with a
scalpel or liposuction, you will feel some discomfort for
a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can be controlled
with medications prescribed by your surgeon. In any case,
you should arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery
and to help you out for a day or two if needed. You'll be
swollen and bruised for a while-in fact, you may wonder if
there's been any improvement at all.
To help reduce swelling after gynecomastia, you'll probably be instructed to
wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for six weeks.
Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in the
first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the
final results of the surgery are apparent. In the meantime,
it is important to begin getting back to normal.
You'll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of
your gynecomastia surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough-which
could be as early as a day or two after surgery. Any stitches
will generally be removed about 1 to 2 weeks following the gynecomastia
procedure. Dr. Rajagopal may advise you to avoid sexual activity
for a week or two, and heavy exercise for about three weeks.
You'll be told to stay away from any sport or job that risks
a blow to the chest area for at least four weeks.
In general, it will take about a month before you're back
to all of your normal activities. You should also avoid exposing
the resulting scars to the sun for at least six months. Sunlight
can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing the
scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong
sun- block.
If you have any questions regarding Male Breast Reduction,
or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rajagopal, please
call the San
Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center at 415-392-3333.
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