Gynaecomastia (sometimes referred to as “man boobs”) is a common condition that causes boys’ and men’s breasts to swell and become larger than normal. It is most common in teenage boys and older men.
Breast reduction surgery is usually carried out under general anaestheic. The operation takes about 90 minutes.
There surgery involves, making a cut (incision) around the nipple, using liposuction to suck out excess fatty tissue and extending the cuts and repositioning the nipples if there is a lot of tissue to remove.
Complications of mastectomy may include hematoma, surgical wound infection, breast asymmetry, changes in sensation in the breast, necrosis of the areola or nipple, seroma, noticeable or painful scars, and contour deformities.
Gynecomastia surgery is a low-impact procedure normally using twilight sedation, which typically requires only a couple of hours for recovery. The patient can return home after the surgery, and often resume normal activities after a few days. Swelling after a gynecomastia treatment subsides after a few weeks, and after a few months, there is normally no noticeable scarring. You will need to wear an elastic garment day and night for a few weeks after the operation. You should avoid stretching, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for up to six weeks after the operation. You can drive again when it’s no longer painful to wear a seatbelt, which may be several weeks.
Immediately after surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area for close monitoring. You may be permitted to go home when you are stable for discharge, typically after an hour or so. During the recovery the nurses will measure your Blood pressure through a cuff. She will also attach a monitor to your finger to check your pulse and level of Oxygen in your blood to ensure you are fully oxygenated. Before leaving, you will be given specific postoperative instructions for your recovery and a follow- up appointment with your plastic surgeon. You may also receive medications or a prescription, but many plastic surgeons prescribe postoperative medications in advance. Your prescribed medications may include pain pills and an antibiotic to prevent infection. We advise no showering for one week which is a very difficult task for anyone. We advise that it is ok to have regular hand showers with lukewarm water and ensuring no water is submerged onto the incisions. We will advise you of this before you leave the hospital.
You will return to the hospital for your post-operative review, in which any stitches are removed. Though the surgeon uses dissolvable stitches, we will check to make sure your incisions have healed. You will also be assessed with any leftover swelling and any advice to help improve your recovery time.
As apart of your aftercare, we advise all patients to book in once a year to see their surgeon for a brief assessment of the consistent results.
We recommend taking 7 days off of work following your breast enlargement procedure. In this case I can supply you with a medical certificate for your employer.
Post-operative follow-up is of paramount importance. Each patient undergoing any Cosmetic Surgery will be given post operative appointments for wound management and suture removal.
Post-operative instructions are vital and we consider it very important that you adhere to them.
Failing to follow these guidelines and attend your appointments can adversely affect the outcome of surgery and put patient safety at risk.