Gynaecomastia / Man Boobs Surgery

Gynaecomastia is abnormal growth of breast tissue in a man – even in Kenya this is a very common problem. We have seen many patients who have come for surgery which changed their lives – now they are more happy to wear a T-shirt, or even walk bare chested on the beach. Our approach to surgery for large man boobs is safety first – to get as little scarring as possible, low complications, and natural, enviable results that are permanent.

Gynaecomastia Surgery

Gynaecomastia is a common condition characterized by the benign enlargement of breast tissue in males and can occur at any age. It may occur transiently in newborns. Half or more of adolescent boys have some breast development during puberty. Newborn males frequently experience temporary gynaecomastia due to influence of maternal hormones, male adolescents also frequently experience a temporary form of gynaecomastia during puberty, and older males often experience a longer-term form of gynaecomastia.

The condition can be the result of hormonal changes or an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone, heredity, obesity, or the use of certain drugs.

Gynaecomastia may arise as an abnormal condition associated with disease, such as metabolic disorders, as a side-effect of medication such as anti-ulcer drugs or medication for heart disease, illegal drugs, such as cannabis or anabolic steroids, drinking too much alcohol, a health abnormality such as kidney failure or liver disease, lumps or infection in the testicles or Klinefelter syndrome.

Patients who undergo gynaecomastia surgery frequently are seeking relief from emotional discomfort caused by overly large breast. Gynaecomastia surgery usually can solve these problems. The surgery will improve your overall body proportion and increase your social confidence.

Summary

  • General or Local anaesthetic with Sedation.
  • Operating time about 2-3 hours.
  • Hospital stay Daycase or 1 night in hospital.
  • Back to work within a few days.
  • Compression support garment for 6-12 weeks.
  • Full exercise after 4-6 weeks.

Am I A Good Candidate For Gynaecomastia Surgery?

Gynaecomastia is characterized by:

  • Excess localized fat around the breasts.
  • Excess glandular breast tissue development.
  • Sometimes excess breast skin.
  • Presence unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts).

You may be a good candidate for gynaecomastia surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:

  • Your condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments.
  • Healthy individual who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing.
  • Non-smokers and non-drug users.
  • You have a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynaecomastia.
  • You are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight.
  • You have realistic expectations.
  • Your breast development has stabilized.
  • You are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large.

Gynaecomastia surgery can be performed at any age, adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue. Commonly you will have experienced a life-long struggle with all the problems associated with overly large breasts, and now you feel it is time to do something about it. Ideally, you should have stabilized your weight.

During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from your gynaecomastia surgery. This will help us to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.

Preparing For Gynaecomastia Surgery

In preparing for gynaecomastia surgery, you may be asked to:

  • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation.
  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.

The success and safety of your gynaecomastia procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle.

Dr. Stasch might ask you to get the following results from your blood test that you can do with your GP or endocrinologist: These blood test will help to rule out any treatable causes for male breast development:

  • Renal function, Liver function test.
  • T4, TSH.
  • Hormone profile: Estradiol, Testosterone, Prolactin, Beta-hCG level, Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Luteinising hormone (LH).

Other tests you might be asked to do after the initial consultation are:

  • Ultrasound of breasts in all cases of suspicious or unilateral breast enlargement.
  • Ultrasound of testes if there is any abnormality on examination or if there is a raised beta-hCG or AFP.
  • CXR if a lung lesion is suspected.

Gynaecomastia – The Operation

There are a number of different techniques used to perform a gynaecomastia surgery, depending on the size, amount of ptosis and your expectations of the results; the technique most appropriate in your case will be defined prior to your procedure.

Water Assisted Liposuction Technique (using the BodyJet®)
In cases where gynaecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through 2 small incisions on your chest

Using the minimally invasive technique of WAL, excess breast and fat tissue in abnormally enlarged male breast can be removed gently, effectively, safely, and with practically no scarring. Because of the firmer connective tissue it is recommended that the high precision power of the water jet be used for men to maximize the removal of breast and fat tissues while minimizing damage to the nerves and blood vessels.

Excision Technique: Glandular Tissue
Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynaecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference. Most of the time the scar is avoided altogether, and you will only have the circular scar around your areola.

Combination of liposuction & excision techniques
Most commonly, gynaecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision.

After The Gynaecomastia Surgery- Your Recovery

  • You will be admitted on the day of surgery, and your length of stay depends on your recovery. Usually, you will stay in the hospital for a day or 1 night.
  • You will have tape dressings applied to stabilize your breasts. A small drain (plastic tube attached to a suction bottle) might have been placed to drain excess wound fluid and blood. This is not always necessary (especially when liposuction technique is used). The drains will usually be removed after 2-3 days.
  • Most people do not find gynaecomastia surgery to be painful and discomfort is managed with pain medication.
  • On the day following surgery, we will encourage gentle movements. You will also be fitted with a special support garments which you will be encouraged to wear for 12 weeks following the operation to minimize swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals after surgery.
  • You will be mobile from day one and should be back to full exercise within six weeks. Stitches will NOT be removed as they are absorbable.
  • Most people have a few days off work following a gynaecomastia surgery, depending on the type of work you do. It is important in the first 4 weeks to avoid any strenuous activities, which can cause stretching to the incisions and disturbance of the new shape.

We will keep a close eye on you after your surgery and would normally see you for your follow-up appointments at regular dressing clinics every 2-3 days, 6 weeks and then 3 months following surgery, at which point your post-operative photographs will be taken.

Gynaecomastia Surgery Results

Gynaecomastia surgery results are immediate. Most men feel very pleased with the results of surgery, they often start to exercise again and enjoy new hobbies. Satisfaction will continue to grow as you recover from the surgery.

Gynaecomastia surgery is considered a permanent solution unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight. Your improved upper body will likely enhance your self-image and confidence, whether in a shirt, T-shirt, or baring your chest at the beach or gym.

Gynaecomastia Before & After

View Gynaecomastia Before & After Photos

Gynaecomastia Surgery Risks & Safety

Whille these operations are generally safe in the hands of a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon and regarded to be highly successful, there are, as with any operation, risks involved and the possibility of complications that patients need to consider.

  • Reactions to tape, suture materials, topical preparations or injected fluids.
  • Anesthesia risks.
  • Bleeding (hematoma).
  • Blood clots.
  • Breast asymmetry.
  • Breast contour and shape irregularities.
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent.
  • Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles – can occur and may be temporary or permanent.
  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.
  • Fatty tissue found in the breast might die (fat necrosis).
  • Fluid accumulation (seroma).
  • Infection.
  • Persistent pain.
  • Poor wound healing.
  • Possibility of revision surgery.
  • Unfavorable scarring.

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Smokers are strongly advised to discontinue smoking several weeks prior to surgery and after the operation, as smoking increases the risks of complications and delays wound healing by altering blood circulation in the skin. You can reduce your risks of complications by closely following our instructions before and after the surgery.