Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia)
Package (GST exempted)
Between $7,000 (private health fund needed) to $8,500 which includes:
- Surgeon's Fee (Dr Tavakoli, Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon) and Assistant Fee
- Anaesthetic Doctor's Fee
- Theatre fee
- Hospital Bed Stay
- 12 month post-op visits
In Dr Tavakoli's busy plastic surgery practice, Gynaecomastia correction and Rhinoplasty (nosejob) are the commonest procedures in Australian men seeking cosmetic surgery.
Gynaecomastia, a medical term from the Greek words for "woman-like breasts", affects as many as 30% of men to varying degrees.
Enlarged breasts on young boys last only a few years and are generally resolved by age 18. Enlarged breasts on a man , however, can be uncomfortable, as well as socially and psychologically devastating.
Gynaecomastia may be associated with obesity, hormonal metabolism imbalance, liver disease or medicinal causes. Prior to choosing a surgical solution to gynecomastia, a period of diet and exercise is recommended. Should that fail, surgical intervention may be indicated. One of the commonest identifiable causes in Sydney of this condition is probably due to the use of anabolic steroids by body builders. There are other hormonal causes that need to be ruled out prior to embarking on this procedure.
Is male breast reduction surgery for you?
During your consultation with Dr Tavakoli , explain your goals and expectations of the surgery. It is absolutely imperative that you communicate the degree of flatness you would expect from this operation. Photographs and other tools may be used in order to establish your expectations prior to any sugery.
Dr Tavakoli will assess the nature of your breasts and the elasticity of your skin to determine the cause of your breast enlargement. It may be caused by fatty tissue and/or glandular tissue. Mostly, it will be a combination of the latter.
What are the procedures available?
Male breast reduction is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis using a light general anaesthesia. The procedure can last from one to two hours depending on the extent of correction.
1. Liposuction If your gynecomastia is primarily caused by fatty tissue, liposuction is usually the procedure of choice. Liposuction surgery is a procedure used to actually remove unwanted localized deposits of fat cells from the body. A cannula is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location (usually in the armpit) on the skin. Using a vacuum system attached to the cannula, excess fat cells are sucked out. The result is a resculpting of bulging breasts into more attractive contours.
2. Traditional Surgical Excision will also be used if your gynecomastia is the result of a glandular enlargement, where liposuction alone is not likely to be adequate.. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. Typically, the surgical incision is placed on the edge of the areola (colored area of the nipple) and in the underarm area (for liposuction). Your surgeon will work through these incisions to cut away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from the breast.
- Please note that if your male breast reduction requires the removal of significant amounts of tissue, larger skin incisions may be required. This in particular is true in patients who have experienced massive weight loss and are therefore left with abundance of saggy skin.
Can the condition return?
Although the plastic surgery procedure for gynaecomastia is highly successful with high patient satisfaction, in some patients with poor dietary programmes or some with ongoing medicinal use the gynaecomastia can return. This is especially common in marijuana and anabolic steroid users.
What is recovery from male breast reduction surgery like?
Bed rest is recommended for the first day. You will experience some pain for several days. Following your surgery, you will wear surgical dressings and a special compression garment. This garment is needed to be worn for about four to six weeks.
There may be a drain tube coming out from under the armpit, which usually remains in place for 24-48 hours. The purpose of this drain tube is to create a means of sucking fluid out of the operated region.
Most discomfort associated with breast surgery can be controlled with oral medication prescribed by your surgeon. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. Most men experience some degree of swelling, bruising and tenderness. These symptoms should subside in a short time.
Within about 10 days, all sutures are removed. Dr Tavakoli will advise you on a proper schedule for returning to your normal activities. Most patients are back to work within 7-10 days.
In order, to maximize the result of your operation, Dr Tavakoli requires you to attend a physiotherapist who would use massage and ultrasound technique to facilitate the removal of lumpiness and uneven areas in your breast. All up 4-6 sessions of physiotherapy is recommended.
Surgical risks may include: infection, bleeding, asymmetry, poor scarring, and nerve damage.
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