Gynecomastia Perth

Plastic and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Nathan Stewart, specialises in Gynaecomastia surgery in Perth.

Gynaecomastia is the swelling of breast tissue in men, and may be present in one breast or in both breasts. This is a very common condition among males that can be caused by a number of factors, including hormonal imbalances, weight gain, steroid use, genetics, or underlying medical conditions, like liver disease.

As a qualified plastic and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Nathan Stewart performs gynaecomastia surgery for suitable candidates in Perth. He will carefully analyse your medical history before making any recommendations for a male breast reduction surgical procedure.

What is Gynaecomastia Surgery?

Male breast reduction surgery (gynaecomastia surgery) is a procedure to correct gynaecomastia, which is the excessive enlargement of the male breast. While excess fat can sometimes be addressed through exercise, diet, and other methods, lifestyle changes alone won’t affect the hormone sensitivities and imbalances that can cause gynaecomastia. It’s in these situations that surgery can be a solution. The procedure removes excess glandular tissue and fat from the chest, creating a flatter, more contoured chest.

What Does Gynaecomastia Surgery Involve?

Gynaecomastia surgery typically involves surgical incision and liposuction to remove the excess glandular tissue and fat that has accumulated around the chest area. The procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation or general anaesthetic, and doesn’t require an overnight stay. Gynaecomastia surgery typically takes between 60 minutes and 2 hours.

Key aspects of the surgery include surgical incisions around the periareolar area to remove glandular or firm tissue, and the use of liposuction to remove fatty tissue. In cases of severe skin laxity, excess skin will also be removed, and the nipple-areola complex may need to be repositioned.

What Should I Expect After Gynaecomastia Surgery?

Recovery times for male breast reduction surgery vary from person to person, based on factors such as the amount of excess tissue removed, your age, and your health. On average, the recovery time for gynaecomastia surgery is 4–6 weeks, with the bruising and swelling in the immediate area mostly resolving over a period of about 2–3 weeks. Your surgeon will provide post-op instructions and may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication. Following the post-op instructions provided by your surgeon and allowing your body to rest as much as possible is important for the healing process.

Gynaecomastia (Male Breast Reduction) Surgery Faqs

Who’s a Good Candidate for Gynaecomastia Surgery?

Healthy men of any age who are looking for a permanent solution are generally considered to be good candidates for male breast reduction surgery. Ideally, patients also have good skin elasticity, as this can help skin to shrink to a firmer chest contour.

Patients with poor skin elasticity may require additional skin-tightening and removal procedures to address loose skin post-surgery. Additionally, as the enlargement of male breast tissue is common in adolescents, due to hormonal changes during puberty, gynaecomastia surgery isn’t recommended for young men undergoing such changes.

What Are the Risks of Gynaecomastia Surgery?

Your doctor will be able to tell you if the risk of a complication arising from the surgery is higher or lower for you. As with most surgical operations, some risks will be higher for individuals who are older, overweight, smoke or have other health issues, like heart, liver or lung disease, or diabetes.

Risks specific to gynaecomastia (male breast reduction) include minor scarring, developing seroma or haematoma under your skin, or an abscess, changes in nipple sensitivity, and irregular body shape where the fat has been removed. In extreme cases, liposuction surgeries, like gynaecomastia surgery, can cause a fat embolus, which can be serious. Please speak with your GP and your surgeon about any specific concerns you may have about the surgery.

Are the Results Permanent, or Will the Gynaecomastia Return?

The fat won’t grow back once it has been removed from your chest. For the best results, it’s advisable to maintain a healthy weight, as significant weight fluctuations can cause remaining fat cells to expand. While this isn’t the original glandular growth, it does result in the chest appearing less defined. The outcome of gynaecomastia correction surgery is permanent; however, to prevent the reappearance of fatty – rather than glandular – breast tissue, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight is essential.

Does Gynaecomastia Surgery Leave Scars?

Any breast reduction surgery to correct gynaecomastia will require incisions. While most incisions are hidden in the natural contours of the breasts, some scars may be visible after the surgical incisions have healed. Scars typically fade over 6–12 months, but some permanent scarring is to be expected with this surgery. Common scar types associated with gynaecomastia include periareolar, liposuction and inframammary fold scars. Proper wound care post-surgery will help the wounds to heal and scars to fade.

How Should I Prepare for Gynaecomastia Surgery?

To reduce your risk of complications and improve your recovery time and long-term health, try to maintain a healthy weight before the operation, and if you smoke or use nicotine products (like a vape), it’s advisable to stop at least 6 weeks before your surgery and for 6 weeks afterwards. Individuals who are overweight, smoke or have other health issues are typically at higher risk of complications than others.

Male Breast Reduction

Ready to see what a life changing difference a gynaecomastia procedure can make? Then make sure to view our gallery page. If you have any questions, or would like to know more about the procedure, contact Dr Stewart today

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Taking Care of Yourself After Surgery

After your gynaecomastia surgery, it is important you take as much time as you need to rest and recover. You will be provided with a number of information sheets and checklists to prepare you for your recovery, including any symptoms to watch out for and tips to keep you as healthy and comfortable as possible during this time.

Following the procedure, you will likely experience some moderate discomfort. Dr Stewart will discuss your pain medication needs with you and tailor a dosage and schedule to suit your individual circumstances. Symptoms should subside within a few weeks. You may need to wear compression garments for several weeks following your surgery.

Should you have any questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr Stewart or the team.!