Many men agonize over their bodies when there is an excess of breast tissue. They commonly feel inhibited and embarrassed and tend to wear loose clothing to disguise the body. This condition, in medical terms, is called "gynecomastia." Some men have an extreme case and have woman-like breasts, while others are just unhappy with the look of the upper chest and have a smaller quantity of excess breast tissue and fat. For a more masculine, trim, athletic-looking chest, a surgical procedure can be performed to remove the unsightly breast tissue and fat.
Excess breast tissue in men is not related to being overweight but is often genetically programmed. While it is true that added weight worsens the condition, even the most dedicated adherence to exercise and diet will not resolve it – and many men turn to a surgical procedure to finally achieve a masculine, firm upper body.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Baby boys who are breast fed are getting estrogen from mother’s milk, and commonly develop little breast buds that disappear later. Many boys going through puberty develop a mild case of gynecomastia which diminishes as puberty progresses. Adult men with the problem may have inherited it through genetics. Others develop it later in life due to taking certain medications, including:
- Steroids
- Ulcer medications
- Epilepsy medications
- Heart medications
- Chemo drugs
- Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications
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The Steps for Male Breast Surgery
When a surgical procedure is needed, the steps of the process are as follows:
- A full medical history is evaluated, including all medications for patient safety.
- Certain medical tests are performed to ensure patient is safe to undergo a surgical procedure.
- The surgical appointment is scheduled.
- The patient is put under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
- The excess breast tissue and fat is removed through an incision. Excess fat may be extracted with liposuction as part of the procedure.
- When necessary, the nipple location and size will be altered.
University Plastic Surgery for Male Breast Surgery
Our team of plastic surgeons brings the highest level of experience and qualifications to the table. Each of us serves on the faculty of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis and is engaged in the education of others entering the field of plastic surgery. You can expect that your male breast surgery will be performed by a plastic surgeon who has access to the most advanced surgical techniques and who is recognized as being at the top of the field.
Male Breast Surgery Recovery
When the treatment requires excising glandular tissue, the recovery time is longer than when only liposuction is used. After the surgery is complete and you return home, it is normal to feel some discomfort, which can be managed with prescription pain medication for the first few days. It is advised that you plan to have a friend or member of your family stay with you the first night, as you will be tired and your motions restricted.
In the first stage of healing, your breasts may even appear larger due to swelling. This will slowly reduce. A pressure garment will be provided that should be worn for the advised period of time, usually a few weeks. As the treated zone heals, it slowly shrinks and flattens, with the final results becoming evident in about three months. To aid in recovery, follow all aftercare instructions carefully.
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(901) 866-8525University Plastic Surgeons 1068 Cresthaven Rd, Suite 500 Memphis, TN 38119
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