Gynaecomastia or male breast reduction surgery involves removal of unwanted breast volume to resolve volume related symptoms but also to improve the shape of the male chest and the position of the nipple areola complex (NAC) in some instances. The areola size can also be reduced in a gynaecomastia reduction.
The type of surgery depends on the degree of excess fat, excess breast gland and also the degree of any excess skin.
If there is simply excess fat, liposuction can be performed alone. If there is fat and excess breast tissue, then the breast tissue is removed through a semicircular incision in the junction between the areolar and the skin.
Gynaecomastia or male breast reduction surgery involves removal of unwanted breast volume to resolve volume related symptoms but also to improve the shape of the male chest and the position of the nipple areola complex (NAC) in some instances. The areola size can also be reduced in a gynaecomastia reduction.
The type of surgery depends on the degree of excess fat, excess breast gland and also the degree of any excess skin.
If there is simply excess fat, liposuction can be performed alone. If there is fat and excess breast tissue, then the breast tissue is removed through a semicircular incision in the junction between the areolar and the skin.
If there is additional loose skin additional scars will be required. The procedure involves making incisions around the areola and also to varying degrees on the breast skin to rearrange skin, tissue and the NAC. The scars range from just around the areola (like an areola reduction), to around the areolar vertically down (like a lolly pop) to around the areola, vertically down and in the fold underneath the breast (like an anchor). Another pattern is just a horizontal scar and a scar around the areola. The degree of scarring is determined by the degree of excess skin removed.
The surgery is carried out under a general anaesthetic and if performed alone can be conducted as a day surgery, meaning you go home the same day as your surgery.
What is the aim of the gynaecomastia reduction surgery?
Gynaecomastia or male breast reduction surgery involves removal of unwanted breast volume to resolve volume related symptoms but also to improve the shape of the male chest and the position of the nipple areola complex (NAC) in some instances. The areola size can also be reduced in a gynaecomastia reduction.
How long will the results last?
There are changes in the male breasts, areolar and nipples with age, weight fluctuations, chest muscle bulk, hormonal influences and drugs. Therefore, surgery timing should be considered carefully if any medicines or weight fluctuations are planned.
The results of gynaecomastia reduction surgery will withstand but the above factors will inevitably have effects on the tissues over time.
This varies from patient to patient and can be difficult to predict.
What happens on the day of surgery?
Prior to the day of surgery you will be given the following information and it is critical to know these details ahead of time:
On the day of surgery you will be checked in by a nurse and all your details will be confirmed and you will be changed into a surgical gown.
Dr Rory will see you before your surgery to run through all the details of the surgery, the consent forms as well as performing all your surgical markings. Your implant sizes will be once again confirmed. Multiple ID checks and procedure confirmation will be performed prior to your operation as safety is a priority.
After your surgery Dr Rory will notify your friends or family to let them know the procedure has finished and put thieir mind at ease. Depending of the procedure he will see you after the surgery and discuss the procedure.
When you are feeling comfortable, the team will then allow you to be discharged as planned that morning. All medicines and instructions will be given to you on your discharge.
You will be discharged from hospital with a soft vest like like surgical support garment.
How long will the surgery take?
If done in isolation, the surgery takes approximately two hours but depends on the extent of the gynaecomastia.
This does not include anaesthesia time. In total, the whole procedure may last longer.
Will the procedure be painful?
One of the primary aims of any procedure performed by Dr Rory is to create a pain free experience.
A long acting local anaesthetic agent is placed into the surgical area at the end of the procedure. To make you comfortable a garment or specialized supportive dressings (with nipples exposed) will be applied to help support your new chest shape.
In terms of recovery, there will be some tenderness in the surgical area and some discomfort on movement.
Dr Rory does not used drains which again makes the procedure more comfortable
What is the recovery period?
This is a major procedure and so the recovery is one week.
During this time you can fully use your arms and are encourage to do so with care. The golden rule is no heavy lifting for one month following the surgery.
What should I consider when recovering from the procedure?
There will be a specialized skin glue place on the surgical area and a splash proof dressing. This will allow you to shower with care. The garment should be removed before showering.
No heavy exertional activity that will cause excessive sweating. No jerking chest or arm movements in the first seven days. The golden rule is no heavy lifting for one month following the surgery.
The specialized skin glue will peel off at week three to four. At this time, a silicone based strip or gel should be applied to the dry healed scar in order to minimize the final appearance of the scar.
The garment should be worn for four to six weeks after your gynaecomastia reduction surgery to help reduce swelling.
The final results in terms of shape will be at approximately four months.
As you attend your wound check appointments you will see the skin glue as purple and very often the skin can appear gathered. This gathering of the skin will flatten over time.
No swimming until all scars are fully healed at approximately four weeks.
The final appearance of your scars will be at eighteen months.
What is the cost of the procedure?
If performed alone, the cost of the procedure starts at 40,000 AED but thus can be variable. The cost largely depends on the extent and nature of the gynaecomastia.
The final cost is determined on a case by case basis dependent on degrees of size, complexity and additional procedures. Combination surgeries will lower the price of individual surgeries if done together.
A full surgical no-commitment consultation with Dr Rory will provide all the necessary details for your particular case and comprehensive size planning in terms of % reduction.
What are the risks of the procedure?
These include some discomfort, infection, nipple sensation change, alteration of blood supply to nipples, risk of bleeding, fat necrosis, degrees of asymmetry and delayed wound healing.
Your nipple sensation may increase or decrease, and each side may act independently. Sensation recovers over time. This varies between patients.
As the nipples and areola can be moved on their blood supply there is theoretical risk of interruption of blood supply that can lead to some or all of this area dying (undergoing necrosis). This is very rare but more common in smokers. The other problem smokers face is delayed wound healing and poorer quality scars.
Fat necrosis is a phenomenon of fat loosing its blood supply and the oily content of the fat cells can collect or cause firm painful lumps. Again, this is more common in smokers.
Dr Rory is therefore very strict when it comes to smoking and gynaecomastia reduction surgery. You are advised to stop smoking one month before and after this surgery.
There is also the risk of stretching of the scar and excessive scarring such as hypetrophic or keloid scarring.
Anything in particularly important I should know about the procedure?
It’s a straightforward procedure with very high satisfaction rates if you are willing to accept the potential scarring which will fade over time. It can completely resolve breast size related symptoms.
Final appearance takes approximately four months.
It is most commonly performed in conjunction with other body contouring surgeries.
What is the follow up after the procedure?
Each patient has a follow up schedule that is different.
You will be advised by Dr Rory and his team your particular follow up journey.
Typically it involves seeing the team a week after surgery for a wound check, then protective dressings until the glue falls off.
Thereafter, scar checks are performed at the six week point. Follow appointments are then at four and twelve months. This schedule will differ between individuals.
Who is involved in my care?
Dr Rory is the primary physician in charge of all your care. He performs all procedures himself and is meticulous about every aspect of your care.
Once he has performed a procedure on you he is available for you as your on-call doctor.
He will provide you with contact details and will be available for you. If you have any questions or concerns at any time he is available to support you.
He has trained his team around him to an exceptionally high standard from his aesthetic coordinators to aesthetic nurses.
In some instances, for example, for photography, garment fitting, wound dressings, checks or removal of stitches, his highly trained team will perform the care liasing directly with Dr Rory with real time updates.
