MALE GYNECOMASTIA AND LIPOMASTIA
What are the benefits?
Enlarged male breasts caused by the presence of mammary glands (gynecomastia) or fat (lipomastia) is an unfortunate issue for some men. A mastectomy (if gynecomastia or mammary glands are present) or liposuction (if lipomastia or bloated tissue are present) can help reduce the problem and improve appearance of the thoracic area.
Is it for me?
A mastectomy or liposuction can improve your physical appearance as well as your confidence in yourself, but it won’t necessarily change how others behave towards you. Before opting for this type of procedure, examine your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Duclos. She’ll be happy to answer any questions clearly and provide information on the type of procedure that’s best for you, including the pros and cons.
What techniques are used?
A mastectomy consists of removing the mammary gland through a very small semi-circular incision on the edge of the areola. If there’s excess skin and sagging, a larger excision may have to be made, either at the same time, or at a later date. Liposuction removes the fat by aspiration (more details can be found in the liposuction section). In some cases, if gynecomastia and lipomastia are both present, the two procedures are combined.
What should I expect?
During your consultation, Dr. Duclos will evaluate your health and your expectations. She will examine your breasts, skin quality, how much fat and/or gland need to be removed, and check for asymmetry.
She may also refer you for a medical evaluation and blood tests in order to confirm that your condition is indeed caused by gynecomastia. In some instances she will ask you to take a mammogram or a breast ultrasound to make sure that breast cancer is not an issue (1% of all breast cancers are found in men). She will show you exactly where the incisions will go, explain the inherent risks of the procedure, explain each step of the procedure itself, and discuss pre and post operative care.
Before the procedure, you will have to purchase a chest support for the day of the operation. The procedure takes place under local anaesthetic, local anaesthetic and narcosis or general anaesthetic. You will then remain under observation until the doctor decides you may leave the clinic. Painkillers will be prescribed and the date of your next appointment will be given to you before you leave. Make sure you ask someone to accompany you back home.
After the procedure you’ll experience some light to moderate pain, which is usually relieved by the prescribed medication.
Keep your bandage and support on until your follow-up appointment, taking care not to get them wet (Dr. Duclos will let you know when you can take a shower). You must wear the support at all times for the next two weeks, and then ten hours a day for the following two weeks. You may wear deodorant the day after your surgery.
Avoid any intense physical activity for four weeks and avoid exposing your scars to sunlight or in any kind of tanning salon for 6 months.
What are the risks?
A subcutaneous mastectomy is relatively safe, however, any surgical procedure carries some risks of which you must be aware. For example, bleeding (haematoma), infection, conspicuous or painful scarring, asymmetry, and irregularities may occur.
You may also experience temporary diminished or loss of sensation of the skin in the chest area, areola and nipple, which can, in extremely rare cases, become permanent.
Necrosis (loss of blood to the skin) may affect the areola or nipple and create a deformity that can sometimes be difficult to correct.
Excess skin can also require additional corrective surgery.