Maintaining a masculine silhouette can sometimes be difficult in an environment where you are always on the go, and even a healthy diet and exercise may not be enough to give you the body you want. When that is the case, one of our plastic surgery procedures for men could help you achieve a more masculine appearance.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, you may experience overdeveloped or enlarged male breasts. The medical term for this is gynecomastia, and the treatment is a male breast reduction in Parker County done by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Steele.
Gynecomastia is the medical term used to describe male breast enlargement. Excess breast tissue can cause them to sag and, may make the skin around a man’s areola, the dark skin around the nipple, to stretch. Most cases of gynecomastia are bilateral, but occasionally it may only affect one side.
True gynecomastia is an enlargement of the breast tissue and can be caused by an underlying medical condition or medication, which may resolve on its own when you stop taking the medicine. Gynecomastia is typically associated with fatty deposits in the breast as well, and the patient may notice enlargement with weight gain and a reduction with weight loss.
It is important to understand the underlying condition that causes gynecomastia before surgery. When you do not treat the underlying medical condition, there is a much higher likelihood the enlarged breast tissue will recur.
Men who are good candidates for gynecomastia surgery or male breast reduction in Parker County have identified the underlying condition that caused enlarged breast tissue, are healthy, and are non-smokers.
Nicotine increases the risk involved with anesthesia, impairs healing after surgery, and can increase the risk of infection, which can cause healing issues and poor scars. It is important to stop smoking and using nicotine products such as vaping, nicotine patches, and nicotine gum at least four weeks before and after surgery.
Dr. Steele will often combine liposuction with direct excision of breast tissue when needed. Liposuction may be used when the majority of the enlarged breast is from excess fatty tissue. In this technique, a small metal cannula is inserted into the area and suction is used to remove the fat tissue. You will have small discreet scars where the cannula was inserted.
When surgical excision is the better choice, Dr. Steele will typically utilize a small incision around the areola to remove breast tissue. In patients with significant skin laxity, skin excision may be necessary with or without a free nipple graft. The location of the incisions depends on the extent of the surgery required. Typically, the incisions are made around the edge of the areola or within the natural crease of the chest.
In some cases, Dr. Steele will choose to excise tissue, as well as remove excess fat. The procedure chosen depends on your anatomy, the extent of overdeveloped breast tissue, and how much excess fat is in the area.
Typically, you will see an immediate improvement in the appearance of your chest after surgery. Every person’s healing process is unique, but after some soreness and minimal pain, most men feel able to return to office work after just a couple of days after liposuction. Men whose jobs require manual labor may need more time to recover.
After surgery, you will go home with postoperative instructions that you must follow closely to reduce the risk of complications after surgery, including infection. You may notice temporary areas of numbness in the breast area, which typically resolves in several weeks or months.
Avoid heavy lifting or any physical exercise until we have cleared you. You will also need to wear an elastic garment for several weeks to aid in healing, reduce swelling, and achieve the best results.
You do not have to experience the psychological and emotional distress that often accompanies gynecomastia. Call our office today to schedule a consultation for male breast reduction in Parker County, where you and Dr. Steele can discuss your options and the potential results. Men do not have to experience the stress and frustration of enlarged breast tissue. Call us today to ask questions and check your insurance coverage.