Gynecomastia Surgery Sydney
Gynecomastia, is a condition that affects many men. It can cause embarrassment, self-consciousness, and a negative impact on self-esteem. Fortunately, advancements in medical science have led to the development of effective treatments, including man boob surgery. Read on for more information on what gynecomastia is, the causes behind it, and how surgical intervention can provide a solution to those seeking to regain their confidence and masculine physique.
Understanding Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia refers to the enlargement of breast tissue in males, resulting in a more feminine chest appearance. It can occur during various stages of life, including puberty, middle age, and even in older men. While it is often harmless, gynecomastia can cause physical and emotional discomfort.
The causes of gynecomastia can vary, including hormonal imbalances, certain medications, obesity, genetics, or underlying medical conditions. In many cases, the exact cause may not be identifiable. However, regardless of the cause, gynecomastia surgery can provide an effective solution.
The Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery, technically known as male breast reduction surgery, is a procedure designed to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin from the male chest area. The surgery aims to create a more masculine chest contour and improve overall self-confidence.
One of the main benefits of gynecomastia surgery is the immediate and noticeable results it provides. By reducing the size of the breasts, the surgery helps restore a more masculine appearance, allowing men to feel comfortable and confident in their bodies.
Furthermore, gynecomastia surgery can significantly enhance a person’s self-esteem and body image. It can alleviate the anxiety and self-consciousness often associated with gynecomastia, enabling men to engage in social activities and relationships without hesitation.
Gynecomastia Surgery Before and After
This Mode Plastic Surgery patient was treated with liposuction and direct gland removal via an incision placed around the nipple. The patient stayed in hospital for one night, and the surgery was performed under a general anaesthetic.
An excellent outcome was achieved, and even with his shirt off, it is difficult to see whether any surgery has taken place.
Gynecomastia Surgery Procedure and Recovery
This surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and may involve various techniques depending on the severity of gynecomastia. Liposuction is commonly used to remove excess fat, while excision may be required for the removal of glandular tissue and sagging skin.
Following the procedure, patients may experience mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with pain medications prescribed by the surgeon. Recovery time varies from person to person, but most individuals can resume their normal activities within a week or two.
It is important to note that man boob surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries certain risks, including infection, scarring, and changes in nipple sensation. However, with a skilled surgeon and proper post-operative care, these risks can be minimized.
Male breast reduction, offers a viable solution for men suffering from gynecomastia. It provides physical and psychological benefits, allowing individuals to achieve a more masculine chest appearance and regain their self-confidence. By addressing the underlying causes of gynecomastia, such as excess breast tissue and fat, man boob surgery can provide lasting results and improve the overall quality of life for those affected by this condition. If you’re considering gynecomastia surgery, it is important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who can assess your individual case and guide you through the process.
- Anaesthetic: GA by accredited anaesthetist
- Time: 3 hours
- Duration of stay: Overnight night stay in hospital
- Hospital: Any of the hospitals where Dr Aggarwal works. This is usually Sydney Adventist or Hunters Hill Private Hospitals.
- Medicare/Health fund rebate: Gynaecomastia surgery is covered by a Medicare item number which means with appropriate health fund cover, some rebates may be claimable from Medicare and the Health Fund, therefore reducing out of pocket costs.
- Recovery: Most people stay in hospital for 1 night and this can be slightly longer in the event that a drain needs to stay for longer. In most cases drains are removed the following day with patients going home without a drain. Heavy lifting or upper body exercise is disallowed for 8 weeks and for this period you are required to wear a chest compression garment. You can shower after 48 hours, but avoid swimming in a pool or beach for 2-3 weeks until all wounds have healed, and all drains are out.
- Results: One of the most satisfying procedures for patients but it is important to note that results vary from patient to patient.
Cosmetic Concerns
- In most cases scars from surgery involve:
- Small stab incisions for liposuction cannulas to remove the fat. These are barely perceptible long term
- Scars are placed around the areola of the nipple. This means they are well hidden. This incision is to remove the glandular tissue behind the nipple.
- This means that excellent are achievable with minimal scars on the chest.
- In a small minority of patients, skin must also be excised in addition to fat and gland removal. These are patients with severe gynaecomastia or have lost a lot of weight.
- Dr Aggarwal will discuss with you if skin needs to be excised – in general our approach at Mode in such cases is to stage the procedure: we will aim to achieve as much as possible with minimal scars and see how much the skin shrinks over time. If skin excision (and therefore additional scars) are required by delaying this, the scar length is often shorter than it would have been had skin been excised in the first procedure.
- Most cases of gynaecomastia have no known cause.
- It is very common in boys undergoing puberty and in most cases it spontaneously resolves.
- In some boys and men it can be due to endocrine (hormonal) causes, renal (kidney) or liver disease, obesity or due to some tumours. There are also many medications, and some illicit drugs that can cause the condition.
- Dr Aggarwal will always examine you thoroughly to rule out these other causes, and sometimes additional tests, and a visit to an endocrinologist (hormone specialist) may be necessary prior to embarking on surgery. It may also be necessary to rule out or cease drugs that may be contributory. If surgery is embarked upon without correcting an underlying cause it is possible for the condition to recur.
- In most cases where boys have passed puberty, stopped growing, have stable weight and there are no underlying causes – the results of surgery are permanent. However in a very small minority of these patients glandular tissue can regrow.
- Gynecomastia is not cancerous
- However every medical examination of the male chest area should exclude breast cancer as males (those with man boobs or not) can develop breast cancer. Dr Aggarwal will examine you at the time of consultation to exclude any suspicious lumps or masses.
- Furthermore surgery performed for gynaecomastia often includes excision of glandular tissue behind the nipple. This is sent for testing (histopathology) to ensure there are no causes for concern.
- In a genetic condition called Klinefelter’s syndrome where there are extra chromosomes in the body, there are a constellation of features associated with the condition include gynaecomastia. These patients are at increased risk of male breast cancer.
Procedure Information
The procedure is always performed under general anaesthesia given by an accredited anaesthetist in a fully accredited and licensed facility (usually one of the North Shore’s premier private hospitals). The procedure takes three hours and most patients will spend 1 night in hospital.
- A small incision is placed in the fold under the male breast and another on the edge of the nipple.
- This is used to infiltrate solution into the chest to reduce bleeding as well as the site for liposuction.
- Later in the procedure a scar is placed around the areola to excise glandular tissue behind the nipple that cannot be removed from liposuction alone.
- A solution containing adrenaline and local anaesthetic is infiltrated at the start of the procedure in both sides of the chest.
- Liposuction is then carried out to remove as much of the fat from the chest to restore a normal masculine chest contour.
- If required, glandular tissue is removed through an incision around the areola. This tissue is located directly behind the nipple and care is taken to maintain some tissue behind the nipple in order to prevent a sunken nipple after surgery.
- The wounds are then closed and a drain is placed.
- In general 1 drain is placed on each side of the chest.
- Whilst in hospital the drain outputs are recorded, and the drains removed once fluid drainage is minimal. In most patients the drain comes out the next day
- In a small number of cases, if the drain is not ready to come it is possible to either stay in hospital till drain removal, or go home with the drain and see Dr Aggarwal or his staff in rooms to have the drain removed after discharge from hospital.
- Dr Aggarwal will place waterproof dressings over the incisions.
- You will be able to get all areas wet after 48 hours. However you will not be allowed to swim in a pool or beach for at least 2 weeks after surgery or until all drains are removed (whichever is later).
- You will be given a script for antibiotics by Dr Aggarwal which you must continue for 1 week or until all drains are removed. You will also be given appropriate pain relief medications.
- When you go home it is best to have someone look after you as you recover.
- While most sedentary activities can be resumed when you go home, you must lay low and not exert yourself. You will also not be allowed to do any heavy lifting or upper body exercises for the first 8 weeks. During this period you will also be required to wear a chest compression garment (a tight vest).
- Dr Aggarwal will see regularly after your discharge from hospital.
Risks & Complications
Every surgery carries risks, and therefore one must consider if risks outweigh the benefits for your own personal situation. If they do then the surgery may be well worth it. Dr Aggarwal will discuss the pros and cons of surgery with you during your consultation.
- Risks of anaesthetic – there are general risks of going under an anaesthetic such as a mild stress on the heart and lungs, risk of reaction to anaesthetic drugs and risk of blotting in the legs. These risks are generally low in patients who are otherwise fit and healthy.
- Bleeding (1-2%) – any bleeding is controlled during surgery however unexpected bleeding can occur in the immediate postoperative period. If this occurs it will necessitate a return to theatre to control the bleeding.
- Infection (<1%) – this is very rare. However you are given antibiotics during induction (when you are going to sleep), as well as a course of oral antibiotics after your surgery to keep this risk to a minimum.
- Seroma (2-5%) – Gland excision behind the nipple as well as liposuction leaves an empty space where the body can collect fluid after surgery. This space is emptied by a drain placed there overnight but occasionally may need to stay in for longer. Keeping a chest compression garment on after surgery, as well as reducing movement is also essential to avoiding the risk of a fluid collection. If a fluid collection develops after removal of drains it may need to be removed via a needle through the skin. The fluid is removed as if it accumulates there is a risk of it getting infected
- Nipple compromise – this is a very rare complication. By cutting around the nipple, its blood supply is reduced and it gains it nourishment through small blood vessels from underneath. However glandular excision behind the nipple can reduce the blood supply further. To maintain good blood supply the incision only goes half way around the nipple. The risk of nipple compromise increases with diabetes, and smoking. Usually this settles with dressings.
- Change in nipple sensation – due to surgery around and behind the nipple the sensation of the nipple can be altered. If the nipple sensation decreases it gradually returns over a few weeks after surgery.
- Chest asymmetry – asymmetry before surgery is very common. Therefore often asymmetrical amounts need to be removed from each side of the chest to restore symmetry. While due care is taken to achieve as symmetrical result as possible, small degrees of asymmetries may still persist. Sometimes asymmetries of the ribs or bony skeleton can create the perception of asymmetry not related to the soft tissues.
- Hypertrophic or poor scars – How one’s body behaves to scarring is individual and largely genetic. Some types of skin are more prone to hypertrophic or keloid scarring, and some individuals and families are more prone to this. We will routinely advise you on how to improve the quality of scars over time. You should also discuss any history of abnormal scarring with Dr Aggarwal preoperatively.
Procedure FAQs
- We advise patients to get a referral for gynaecomastia surgery.
- It is possible to claim a Medicare rebate of approximately $73 for the consultation if you have a referral
- Furthermore, gynaecomastia surgery is associated with a Medicare Item Number which means with appropriate health insurance, rebates may be possible through Medicare and the health fund, reducing out of pocket costs for surgery.
- You can see us at our main practice at Gordon, or at our other locations at Hornsby, Hunters Hill or Camperdown.
- Please scroll to the bottom of the page to find out more information about these locations.
- Any of the hospitals where Dr Aggarwal works – but more commonly at Hunters Hill Private or Sydney Adventist Hospitals.
- Cease fish oil, and other supplements such as Ginkgo, Ginseng.
- Please discuss with Dr Aggarwal if you are on blood thinning medications as to when you should stop and recommence those.
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery – Dr Aggarwal does not offer gynaecomastia surgery to patients who are actively smoking.
- You will be required to wear a chest compression garment for 8 weeks.
- Heavy lifting and upper body exercise will need to be avoided for 8 weeks to allow the chest tissues to heal.
- Heavy gym exercise may need to be discontinued for 3 months.
- Dr Aggarwal will provide you with the necessary scripts for antibiotics and pain relief. The antibiotics need to be continued for a week or until when the drains are out.
- No.
- Yes
- However we always encourage patients not to be away overseas shortly after having a procedure, so that we can closely follow your recovery and address any concerns that may arise.
- You may do gentle swimming in a pool or beach after 2-3 weeks once all wounds have healed and all the drains are out.
- It is best to not drive for the first 1-2 days after an anaesthetic. To reduce upper arm movements it may be best to avoid driving for the first week after surgery.
- No, patients will require a general anaesthetic in an accredited private hospital.
- Patients also need to stay in hospital for 1 night to allow drain monitoring, pain control.
- Not usually.
- However it is possible that surgery can temporarily change the sensation of the nipple.
- If affected, this gradually recovers over the weeks following surgery and can take up to 12 months.
- Diet and exercise is best to try to lose as much weight as possible.
- However in patients affected by gynaecomastia it may not reduce the chest despite weight loss.
- However results can be unpredictable and require multiple treatments with non-surgical means. Non-surgical techniques cannot reduce the glandular tissue that often accompanies gynaecomastia. Patients, especially those with moderate to severe excess fat and glandular tissue, will achieve the best results with surgery
Procedure Pricing
- A quote for this procedure will be provided to you after a consultation with Dr. Aggarwal. You can also call or email our office for our current indicative pricing.
- This includes
- Surgical fees
- Hospital and theatre fees
- Anaesthetist fees
- Chest Compression Garment
- Follow up
- Please note that the above prices do not include
- Preoperative consultation fees
Why Choose Us
Highly Skilled
Highly skilled Fellowship Trained Plastic surgeon – know you are in the safest of hands with a Plastic Surgeon who is experienced, highly respected, and appointed at premier Sydney hospitals- including the SAN, RPA, POWH and RHW.
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If sedation or general anaesthetic is required, it is delivered by an accredited anaesthetist
Accommodation
Have your surgery at premier, accredited Sydney private hospitals
Upfront Costs
We provide written quotes, so there are no surprises.
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We make you our top priority. Need to ask a question, worried about dressings or something else post op? We will always be at your beck and call.
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Mode Plastic Surgery
924 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW 2072
Consulting time
Multiple options throughout the week
Address
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
Level 2, Clinic D
119-143 Missenden Road
Camperdown NSW 2050
Consulting time
Alternate Thursdays
Address
Hunters Hill Clinic
Level 1, 6 Ryde Road
Hunters Hill NSW 2110
Consulting time
Once a month Thursday morning.
Address
St Luke’s Private Hospital
18 Roslyn Street
Potts Point, NSW, 2011
Consulting time
One Friday each month.
Address
Hornsby Medical Specialists
Suite 1 / 49 Palmerston Road
Hornsby NSW 2077
Phone:
info@modeplasticsurgery.com.au
Suite 13, 924 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW 2072, Australia
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