The Best Candidates for Gynecomastia Correction

Male breast fat suction operations can be made for men of different age who are physically and emotionally healthy. Patients who have elastic and firm skin can expect the best results.

Before choosing an operation as an option in solving this problem patients are recommended to stop using these drugs in order to see if this will lessen breast fullness.

How do I prepare for surgery?

It is important to avoid taking any Aspirin or products containing Aspirin for 2 weeks either side of the operation since Aspirin has an adverse effect on bruising. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days at home, if needed.
If you are a smoker it is helpful to stop for two weeks before surgery and for a week afterwards so as not to restrict the circulation to the skin.

Where will my surgery be performed?

The surgery is usually performed at a clinic in the city of Buenos Aires where Dr. Freschi works with in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. You will usually be admitted on the day of surgery.

You will need a friend or relative to accompany you home when you leave hospital after surgery.

What type of anaesthetic will be used?

The procedure of correcting enlarged male breasts can be made by using a general, or sometimes, local anesthesia in combination with sedation. Longer operations can be performed under general anesthesia, it allows patient to sleep during all operation. Dr Freschi will discuss the type of chosen anesthesia with you and explain the reasons why this and not other type has been chosen.

What does the operation involve?

If excess glandular tissue is the main reason of the breast enlargement usually it will be excised or cut out with a scalpel. The excision can be done together with liposuction or alone. In most cases, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location - on the edge of the areola or in the under arm zone. In this case, the surgeon cuts away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin around the areola. Bigger reduction like the removal of a significant amount of tissue or skin may need bigger incisions which can leave bigger scars.
In special cases when a big amount of fat or glandular tissue is removed, skin may not adjust to the new breast contour. Then, unnecessary skin can be removed to firmly re-adjusting to the new breast contour.

How long will the surgery take?

The length of your operation depends on the extent of the procedure. On average this will take between two and about two and a half hours.

Is it painful?

Remarkably, pain after Gynecomastia surgery is not usually a problem. It is carefully controlled by pain killers in the first few hours following surgery and subsequently with a mild analgesic (pain killer) such as paracetamol or codeine as necessary.

What can I expect after the Surgery?

It does not matter if you had an excision with a scalpel or liposuction, you will feel a small discomfort for a few days after your operation. Nevertheless, discomfort can be controlled with medicaments that are prescribed by Dr. Freschi.

For some time you will be swollen and bruised. To reduce swelling, you can wear an elastic pressure garment for a week or two. However, it may be three months or more before the final results of your surgery will be in a perfect shape.

It is important to start walking as soon as you able to do it. Stitches will generally be removed about 1 to 2 weeks after the operation.

Your surgeon may advise you to avoid sexual relations for a week or two also, heavy exercise for about three weeks. In general, it will take about a month before you are ready to all of your usual activities.

You have to avoid exposing the scars to the sun for a six months. Sunlight can affect the skin's pigmentation and make the scar turn dark.

What are the scars like?

Breast scars, like others on the body, are noticeable when they are new but usually fade to become pale and flat.

What are the risks?

Complications after Ginecomastia surgery are not common but when they occur they are mostly a temporary nuisance rather than having a long term consequence.

• Excessive internal bruising (haematoma) occasionally occurs and may require removing some stitches to wash out the bruising from beneath the skin. This has no effect on the long term outcome of surgery.

• Alteration in nipple sensation is relatively common in the short term with patients experiencing decreased or increased sensitivity which can persist for 2-3 months. In the vast majority of patients this improves as the operation is designed to preserve some nerve supply which allows sensation to return.

• Wound healing is usually quick and uneventful but very occasionally in smokers the scar may take slightly longer to heal than the rest of the the patients.

Summary

Ginecomasti correction is usually an extremely successful procedure from the patient's point of view. It improves the shape of the breasts as well as increasing comfort. From the perspective of patient satisfaction it is amongst the most reliable of all cosmetic surgical procedures.