MALE BREAST REDUCTION
Male Breast Reduction in Washington, DC
Gynecomastia or male breast enlargement is the overdevelopment of one or both breasts in adolescent and adult males. This condition can negatively impact self-esteem and quality of life, making it difficult for men to go shirtless or engage in intimacy with confidence. Male Breast Reduction in Washington, DC involves removing excess breast tissue and restoring masculinity to the chest.
Almost half of all men will experience enlarged male breasts during their lives. Many young men have temporary gynecomastia during puberty, but you can develop it anytime. There are numerous causes of gynecomastia including hormonal changes, genetics, disease, or substance use. It is most commonly seen in adolescent males as an imbalance of male hormones (testosterone) and female hormones (estrogen). However, certain illnesses or drug use, such as anabolic steroid use, can sometimes cause male breasts to enlarge. For obese patients, losing weight can alleviate gynecomastia symptoms, but in many cases, excess fat and skin remain even after reaching a healthy body weight.
Even though gynecomastia does not affect overall health, those who experience gynecomastia may develop a negative body image, poor self-esteem, and even depression. They may even withdraw from typical activities, like sports or socializing. At Peel Haus, our board-certified plastic surgeons understand the frustration and embarrassment that can come from this condition and can deliver results that will help men feel much more confident in their appearance. If you’re an adult male who wants to learn more about our treatment for gynecomastia, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a common condition that affects men of all ages and is usually due to a decrease in testosterone. Common causes of enlarged male breasts include:
- Genetics
- Health conditions, like hyperthyroidism
- Weight gain
- Obesity
- Weight loss
- Steroid use
- Alcohol abuse
- Marijuana use
How Male Breast Reduction Works
Male Breast reduction in Washington, DC ——also known as Gynecomastia Surgery — is an outpatient procedure used to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breasts. It involves making an incision on your chest to remove excess fat using liposuction to reduce the size of each breast. If both fat and glandular tissue need to be removed, your plastic surgeon may combine liposuction with surgical tissue excision. Incisions for this procedure vary depending on the extent of tissue removal needed and your particular situation
Severe gynecomastia may require additional incisions, either along the fold underneath the natural breast area, or extending from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breast fold, as well as skin removal. Depending on your situation the nipple-areola complex may be repositioned on the chest to restore a balanced appearance. Your plastic surgeon will advise you as to what technique will help you reach your desired outcome.
Male Breast Reduction Risks
Risks associated with gynecomastia surgery are uncommon. Some complications that may occur with any surgical procedure are:
- Asymmetry
- Abnormal reaction to anesthesia
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Changes in sensation
- Scarring
Ideal Candidate for Male Breast Reduction in Washington, DC
Gynecomastia surgery candidates include:
- Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Nonsmokers and non-drug users
- Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia
- Physically healthy men and of relatively normal weight
- Men who have realistic expectations
- Men whose breast development has stabilized
- Men who are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large
Male Breast Reduction Surgery results are permanent as long as there are not extreme fluctuations in weight. Gynecomastia can reoccur if substance abuse continues or treatment of a congenital condition is discontinued. Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.
Male Breast Reduction Recovery
After a male breast reduction in Washington, DC, you will be taken to post-op where you will come out of anesthesia and be on pain medication. Depending on your situation, you may be kept overnight at the hospital or may be able to go home. You will need someone to drive you home afterward and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
At the time of surgery, you will either be wrapped in an elastic bandage or placed in a surgical bra over gauze dressings to support and protect your breasts. The elastic bandage and dressings will be removed in a couple of days. In addition, a small tube may be placed in each breast to collect blood and fluids for the first two days following surgery. Your plastic surgeon will send you home with detailed instructions for changing bandages, cleaning incision sites, showering, and other post-op activities.
Pain Medication
Your plastic surgeon will give you a prescription for pain medicine preoperatively. You will be on narcotic pain medicine for around 2 to 3 days following the surgery. Tylenol is used to transition off narcotics, and NSAIDs (Motrin, Advil) can be used after the first two weeks. You will be able to drive once you have stopped taking narcotics.
At Home
It’s essential to line up help for at least two or three days once you’re home following surgery. You will be prescribed pain medications and have somewhat limited mobility. Having someone to help around the house during the initial period after surgery can make recovery significantly easier.
Plan to take a week off work and other responsibilities after your surgery. You will need this time to rest and recover. You will need to rest and sleep at an angle for the first few days of recovery and will be given instructions to move about to help prevent any blood clots.
Male Breast Reduction Recovery Complications
As with any surgery, there is a risk that a complication may develop. For breast reduction surgery, these risks include excessive bleeding, infection, anesthesia reaction, impaired breastfeeding, slightly asymmetric breasts, sensation loss, poor scarring, and fat necrosis which resolves in most at six months but may require ‘excision’ in a second surgery. Your plastic surgeon will provide a list of guidelines to follow to reduce the risk of complications. These instructions will include information on exercise and medications in the weeks before and after surgery. Complications can usually be managed, but it is important to follow your plastic surgeon’s pre-and post-operative instructions to reduce the risk of complications.
The most common complication is an infection of the incision site. Your plastic surgeon will discuss how to minimize the risk of infection during your consultations. If you think your incisions may be infected, call us immediately. To lower your infection risk, avoid bathing, swimming, or using hot tubs for the first two weeks post-surgery. You’ll be able to shower the day after your surgery. You might have an infection if you have a fever or notice warmth and redness in your chest. If this happens or you have shortness of breath or chest pain, please get in touch with our office as soon as possible. You’ll have a post-op appointment with your plastic surgeon one week after surgery.
Resuming Normal Activities
During the first two weeks, patients will want to take it easy and must avoid strenuous activity to facilitate healing and prevent complications. During the first few weeks, a compression vest will be worn to help the skin retract and prevent fluid accumulation. Substantial swelling and some bruising are to be expected during this time, and any pain can be controlled with prescribed medication. If you have a physically demanding job, it’s crucial to take plenty of time off so you don’t jeopardize your recovery.
After the first one or two weeks, patients can begin to resume some normal activities, such as returning to work and light exercise. Bruising and swelling will resolve gradually until final results can be seen over six months post-op.
Male breast reduction patients are usually eager to hit the gym after surgery. Still, you must take it easy for six weeks and allow your body to heal before returning to any strenuous activity. This is especially true for exercises that affect the chest and pectoral muscles, such as upper body weights, planks, and push-ups. Light activity can be resumed after the initial healing period (about two weeks), but strenuous exercise should wait at least six weeks on average. Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions, depending on the nature of your procedure and incisions.
When Should I Schedule My Gynecomastia Surgery?
This breast reduction timeline can help you make an informed decision about when to have surgery. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when making your surgery plans, and it can be helpful to think about what works best for you, as well as for anyone who will be helping you during the healing process. This can help you plan the ideal time for your breast reduction and recovery.
There are many important factors to consider when scheduling breast reduction surgery:
- If you work, how much time can you take off? Is there a slower time of the year for your work that might be best for your surgery?
- Do you have a desk job or something more physical? This will factor in to when you will be ready to return to work.
- Do you have someone available to help you the first week after surgery? Will they need to take time off work?
- If you have a big event coming up (wedding, reunion, vacation), give yourself extra time to heal. You will need at least six weeks, but a few months would be even better.
- Do you want to have surgery before summer? If so, winter or early spring is the best time to have breast reduction so that you will be fully healed and ready by summer.
Learn More About Male Breast Reduction in Washington, DC
If you are self-conscious about your chest, then male breast reduction may be an excellent option for you. Take the first step by reaching out to Peel Haus today to schedule a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. They can answer any additional questions you have about this procedure.
Enhance Your Look with Male Breast Reduction in Washington DC
Our plastic surgery team is widely recognized as one of the best practices for body and facial implants in Washington DC. Our expert staff includes the plastic surgeon Vikisha Fripp, MD, FACS and as well as Kristen Coffield Diet & Weight Loss Consultant. Our team is uniquely qualified to prepare you for surgery, to get you the optimal results and maintain those results post-surgery.
Vikisha Fripp, MD, FACS
Dr. Fripp has a stellar educational background and achievements as a medical student, she had the distinction of a general surgery residency at Howard University Hospital and pursued a fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training at Cornell University – New York Presbyterian Hospital. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Fripp has honed her exceptional skills as a plastic surgeon. Her dedication to achieving results that appear remarkably natural has contributed to her outstanding reputation with patients. Dr. Fripp’s patients appreciate her expertise to bring their envisioned aesthetic to life, including personalized procedures such as male breast reduction in Washington DC.
It’s her mission to provide the best possible outcome for her patients. She follows the highest standards of plastic surgery, utilizing cutting-edge techniques in every procedure to bring the patient’s envisioned aesthetic to life, including male breast reduction in Washington DC.
Kristen Coffield Diet & Weight Loss Consultant
Every plastic surgery patient has the option of working with Kristen Coffield as our Diet & Weight Loss Consultant. She teaches proven practical techniques that allow people to achieve optimum wellness and slow down the aging process by harnessing their own bodies’ abilities to heal. Using effective pre and post treatment lifestyle changes, Kristen helps cosmetic treatment patients improve outcomes, create lasting change and be happier in their bodies. Kristen is an author, content creator and regular contributor on local television shows.
Schedule a consultation with our expert team today to create your unique treatment plan for male breast reduction in Washington DC.
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MALE BREAST REDUCTION
