Excessive breast tissue on men is remarkably common. At least one in three have some noticeable excess, affecting either one or both sides of the chest. In the vast majority, the cause is harmless, being due to local tissue hormone sensitivity and excess fat deposition. However, it may occasionally be due to medical problems or certain drugs. Your doctor or plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with an assessment. Medical causes if present need to be corrected before any type of breast reduction procedure is performed.
Treatment Options
The excess fat in smaller male breasts may be removed by liposuction alone. This technique involves the aspiration of breast fat via tiny incisions. Liposuction alone is very effective in mild to moderate cases, but one needs good quality elastic skin, to get the best result. When there is poor skin elasticity, then the excess skin may need to be surgically removed in addition to the underlying breast tissue. Very large breasts are best dealt with surgical reduction, or at least in combination with liposuction. This entails creating a certain amount of permanent scarring on the chest, however this is often much preferred to large breasts. Your plastic surgeon will be able to make a full assessment and recommend the most appropriate treatment option with the least amount of associated scarring.
Post Operatively
Irrespective of the procedure used, the chest will be bruised and swollen for several weeks. Pressure garments are recommended to reduce the swelling and bruising, and facilitate healing. Most patients return to their work within one to two weeks and gradually increase their physical activities as the chest becomes more comfortable. However, it may take two to three months before the chest fully settles down and you see the final result.
The results are significant and permanent. Normally, there is a high level of patient satisfaction with reduction of male breasts. Therefore, if your expectations are realistic the chances are good that you will be very satisfied with the procedure and your new look.
