What is Gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is a common condition that causes men's breasts to swell and become more prominent than usual. It is sometimes referred to as 'man boobs'. Gynaecomastia can be caused by a hormonal imbalance, weight gain, hereditary conditions, disease, or the use of certain drugs that can interfere with hormone production. 

Gynaecomastia can develop in men of any age. Signs vary from a small amount of extra tissue around the nipples to more prominent breasts, which can affect one or both breasts. 

Surgical Treatment for Gynaecomastia.

Sometimes gynaecomastia will resolve on its own or with conservative interventions. However, it is important to understand all your options if you have persistently enlarged male breasts. If you would like to find out if you are a good candidate for this surgery, you can book a confidential consultation with Dr Alex Turner.

If conservative interventions have not addressed gynaecomastia, there are surgical treatments available. The surgical procedure used to treat gynaecomastia is called male breast reduction surgery. Breast reduction surgery can be performed at any age, however it is best done when the breast tissue is fully developed. 

Reasons to have Male Breast Reduction Surgery.

Men undergo gynaecomastia surgery to restore a masculine shape to their chest and to obtain a firmer chest contour. As a result, they are often inspired to participate in physical activities they have previously avoided.

Men who have undergone significant weight loss may also consider breast reduction surgery to correct sagging skin around the breast area. 

Male Breast Reduction Surgery Procedure

Before undergoing male breast reduction surgery, you will have a pre-surgical assessment with Dr Alex Turner. She will assess your suitability for surgery and take your complete medical history. She will also discuss the procedure in depth with you, including the risks and possible complications.

Male breast reduction surgery is done under a general anaesthetic. The procedure typically takes about two to three hours, and patients are required to stay in the hospital overnight.

During the procedure, the surgeon will make an incision around the nipple to remove excess fatty tissue. The fatty tissue may be removed with a scalpel, or in some cases, by using liposuction or a combination of both. 

Recovery After Male Breast Reduction Surgery

It can take several weeks to fully recover from male breast reduction surgery, and you should take ample time off work to rest appropriately. It is common to experience localised pain, swelling and bruising for a few weeks after the procedure. 

There are some important things you should do following your surgery to ensure a smooth recovery. For the first one to two weeks, you will need to wear a compression garment day and night to support the chest while it heals. Your stitches will either dissolve or be removed after a week or two.

You should avoid stretching, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for about three weeks after the operation. You can expect to return to normal activities after about six weeks. 

Call Dr Turner's office today to book an appointment to discuss whether surgery is the right option to treat gynaecomastia for you.

Read further information about male breast reduction surgery on the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons' website here

To watch a video on the gynaecomastia treatment procedure please see below.