Gynecomastia surgery can significantly improve the overall quality of life for men with enlarged breasts. At Hillcrest Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kenrick Spence helps men achieve a more masculine, flat chest. He performs accurate gynecomastia surgery in Orlando and has assisted many men in enjoying activities with greater freedom and ease.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is often linked to hormonal changes experienced during infancy, puberty, and late adulthood. Often, swollen breast tissue goes away on its own — especially among infants and teenagers. A doctor can help monitor your condition with continual checkups, but if your condition does not improve on its own, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Apart from hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, illegal and recreational drugs as well as alcohol can cause gynecomastia. Certain health conditions may also lead to swollen breasts in men, such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, tumors and liver disease.
Evaluation for a Male Breast Reduction, Gynecomastia
Your doctor will conduct a detailed health evaluation to determine whether you're a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. You must be in good health and actively manage any underlying health conditions. Your doctor will investigate the cause of your gynecomastia. They might perform blood work, a mammogram, or a hormonal evaluation. However, a significant number of patients do not have any clear-cut cause for their gynecomastia. It can simply be fat and not breast tissue, contributing to gynecomastia.
After your health evaluation, your doctor will use drawings to determine the future shape of the chest.
Preparation for a Male Breast Reduction, Gynecomastia
To prepare for breast reduction surgery in Orlando, your surgeon will advise you to:
- Stop all blood thinning agents (e.g. aspirin, vitamin E, etc.)
- Stop all anabolic steroids or steroid-like supplements
- Stop smoking at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to surgery
Male Breast Reduction Procedure
Because there are various causes of gynecomastia, procedures vary. If there is a large, thick breastplate behind the nipple, our surgeons remove it with power-assisted liposuction, creating a smooth transition to the surrounding chest. When the nipple droops and sits below the fold, Dr. Spence prefers to perform a staged procedure — allowing the elasticity of the skin to take effect. Our surgeons can make a small incision that hides around the nipple.
Risk of Correction of Gynecomastia
Like any invasive surgery, gynecomastia carries risks like infection and bleeding. Risks pertaining specifically to gynecomastia surgery are rare but might include:
- Recurrence (with repeat steroid usage)
- Sunken nipple appearance
- Loss of sensation of the nipple
Recovery From Gynecomastia
Patients can usually return home on the same day as their surgery. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help manage pain and discomfort around the surgical site but recovery time may vary depending on the type of surgery.
- Liposuction treatment: Most patients are able to return to work in two to three days. A compression garment is worn for several weeks following surgery. The vest protects the surgical area, reduces swelling and minizes discomfort.
- Procedures done in stages: Recovery from these procedures may take slightly longer. No heavy lifting is recommended for 2 to 4 weeks following surgery.
It's best to avoid swimming for at least two weeks and vigorous exercise for about a month. Your doctor will advise you on how to care for your scar and reduce its appearance.
Book a Consultation for Gynecomastia Surgery in Orlando
Gynecomastia can be a troubling stigma for men of all ages. With the advent of new and improved surgical instrumentation, improvements in technique, and utilizing the elasticity of the skin, it is now possible to correct more cases of gynecomastia with less scarring. To schedule a gynecomastia consultation in Orlando with Dr. Spence at Hillcrest Plastic Surgery, call 407-999-2585 or request a consultation online.
To see payment options, please visit this website's financing page.
Gynecomastia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The cost of gynecomastia surgery in Orlando may differ depending on your treatment. Your surgeon can discuss fees during your initial consultation.
Enlargement of the male breast is quite common. The majority of these cases resolve shortly after the completion of puberty, if this persists into adulthood medical intervention may be needed.
Dr. Spence approaches the enlargement of the male breast so as to produce the shortest scars possible. This often involves the aggressive use of liposuction to minimize the amount of skin excision needed and therefore lessens the risk of visible scarring.
Yes, it is possible for some anabolic steroid like supplements to cause enlargement of the male breast.
If just liposuction is used weight lifting may be resumed within a matter of 2 to 4 weeks. When incisions are made it is better to wait 6 to 8 weeks; this should be determined on an individual basis, based on the advice of your surgeon.
Yes, the nipples and areolas in a male can be reduced. The scars are hidden at the junction between the light and dark skin around the areola.
Yes, this can be removed through an incision hidden around the nipple.
The responses to Frequently Asked Questions listed here are not intended to be medical advice, but are the practice of Dr. Spence and Dr. Ovalle and will vary from surgeon to surgeon and patient to patient.
Schedule a Consultation
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Spence and Dr. Ovalle at Hillcrest Plastic Surgery, call (407) 999-2585 or request a consultation online.
