Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast Reduction For Men

Also known as gynecomastia surgery, breast reduction for men is performed to correct over-developed or enlarged breasts.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

A safe and successful gynecomastia depends very much on being completely candid during your consultation. Be sure to address any problems, concerns and questions with Dr. Van Natta. He will ask you a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be Prepared to Discuss:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs including steroids
• Previous surgeries

Dr. Van Natta May Also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Perform diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of gynecomastia; this may include testing of your endocrine function
• Examine your breasts and take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss the likely outcomes of gynecomastia correction and any risks or potential complications
• Discuss the use of anesthesia during your surgery

Preparing For Surgery

Prior To Surgery, You May Be Asked To:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special Instructions You Receive Will Cover:

• What to do the day of surgery
• Post-operative care and follow-up

Your breast reduction surgery will be performed at Meridian Plastic Surgery Center, an accredited office-based surgical center, utilizing seasoned, board certified anesthesiologists from St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You’ll Need Help

Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

What Happens During Gynecomastia Correction Surgery?

Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia is technically called reduction mammaplasty, and reduces breast size, flattening and enhancing your chest contours.

In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases, the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved, and excess skin may be reduced.

Step 1 – Anesthesia

You will have a general anesthetic administered by a board certified anesthesiologist.

Step 2 – Liposuction

In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, ultrasonic assisted liposuction techniques alone may be used. Dr. Van Natta uses the tumescent technique, filling the area to be treated with intravenous fluid containing adrenaline. This is followed by treating the area with ultrasound to break up or loosen the fatty area.

The actual fat removal requires insertion of a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) through several small incisions. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction.

Step 3 – Excision

Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced, or the nipple repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference.

 Often, gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision. What About Scars?

(Illustrations courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

What About Scars?

Any surgical treatment to correct gynecomastia will require incisions. While most incision lines are concealed within natural contours, some may be visible and are permanent, but will fade over time. This is a necessary result of breast reduction surgery.

Important Facts About Gynecomastia Surgery Risks and Complications

The decision to have gynecomastia surgery is extremely personal. You’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Dr. Van Natta and/or his staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

The Risks of Gynecomastia Surgery Include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots (Rare)
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent
• If liposuction is used, additional risks include uneven contours, rippling or loose skin, irregular pigmentation or fluid accumulation
• Anesthesia risks
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
• Damage to deeper structures can occur – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles and lungs – and may be temporary or permanent.
• Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
• Breast asymmetry
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis).
• Fluid accumulation
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications (extremely rare)
• Pain, which may persist
• Possibility of revision surgery

Where Will My Surgery Be Performed?

Your surgery will be performed at Meridian Plastic Surgery Center, an AAAHC accredited facility utilizing seasoned anesthesiologists from St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Van Natta and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.

When You Go Home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek immediate medical attention. If any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure. Another surgery may be necessary to:

• Perform additional tightening or repositioning of the breasts
• Treat any complications that may occur

Your Recovery

Following Dr. Van Natta’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Dr. Van Natta will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress. So, be sure that you address all your questions directly with him.

After surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied to your incisions, and an elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support your new chest contour as it heals. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Most gynecomastia surgeries take between 1 ½ to 2 hours and are done as an outpatient. Absorbable sutures are used and the knots will be clipped at your first follow-up visit, usually about one week after your surgery. It’s very important to follow Dr. Van Natta’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled. If you have any questions or concerns after your surgery we want you to call our office: 317-575-0330 or toll-free, 800-345-1962.

Specific Instructions May Include:

• How to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with Dr. Van Natta

Long-Lasting Breast Reduction Results

Your improved upper body will likely enhance your self-image and confidence, whether in a shirt and tie, a t-shirt, or baring your chest in the summer at the pool.

The final results of breast reduction in men are permanent in many cases. However, if gynecomastia resulted from weight gain or the use of certain prescription medications or drugs including steroids, you must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight in order to maintain your results. Please discuss this with Dr. Van Natta before making changes to your prescription medications.

Gynecomastia Surgery Costs

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for gynecomastia can vary widely. The cost for surgery will depend upon the exact procedure being done and the amount of time your particular case may take. We will give you an exact quotation of your costs for surgery at the time of your consultation with Dr. Van Natta. We do offer patient financing options which we can discuss during your appointment as well.

Costs May Include:

• Surgeon’s fee
• Surgical facility costs
• Anesthesia fees
• Prescriptions for medication
• Post-surgery garments
• Medical tests

In nearly all cases, correction of gynecomastia is not eligible for insurance coverage. Each insurance policy varies greatly. In addition, Dr. Van Natta does not participate with any insurance plans as an in-network provider.

Your Satisfaction Involves More Than a Fee

When choosing a plastic surgeon for gynecomastia surgery, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Dr. Van Natta is nationally recognized as an expert in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery.

Gynecomastia Glossary

Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.

Bilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men affecting both breasts.

Endocrine system: A group of glands that make hormones which help to control activities in your body such as reproduction, metabolism, growth and development. Testing of your endocrine system may be done to look for signs of diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, hypertension and obesity.

Excision: To remove the skin.

General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.

Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.

Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.

Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.

Reduction mammaplasty: The surgical removal of breast tissue to reduce the size of breasts.

Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

Unilateral gynecomastia: A condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men affecting just one breast.

Questions To Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Is the office-based surgical facility where you perform surgery accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me in order to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• Is there a specific surgical technique recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my breasts to look over time?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my breast reduction?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure, and what results are reasonable for me?

Use This Checklist As a Guide During Your Consultation:

The following points are important relative to Dr. Van Natta:

• He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
• He was trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery and had 5 years of general surgery training as well as 2 ½ years of plastic surgery training.
• He has been in practice more than 20 years.
• His surgical facility, Meridian Plastic Surgery Center, is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and it is state-licensed and Medicare-certified.
• He also has hospital privileges to perform this procedure at St. Vincent Hospital.
• He is known both locally and nationally as an expert in breast surgery.

How are complications handled?

If you experience a rare complication requiring reoperation, Dr. Van Natta often won’t charge for his services, but you may well have additional expenses for the operating room as well as anesthesia.

You may wish to see our before and after photos of gynecomastia surgery.

If you are in Indiana, please visit our male breast reduction in Indianapolis page.