Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for this type of surgery?
Surgery to correct gynaecomastia can be performed on healthy, emotionally stable men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours.
Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss. Also, individuals who drink alcohol beverages in excess resulting in impaired liver function or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynaecomastia. Therefore, patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is considered an option.
If certain chronic conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity or respiratory illnesses are poorly controlled, or you are immunocompromised, require anti-coagulants (blood thinners), or you are an active smoker, you may not be a safe candidate for this procedure. See also: Smoking and BMI.
What kind of scars will I have and where will they be located?
Your scars will usually be located where your nipple meets your chest wall skin to camouflage them. There may be one or two other smaller scars (approximately ˝ cm) on the chest wall if liposuction is to be a part of your procedure. If there is excess skin, your incisions may be larger.
Your scars will initially be red and a little raised, but over three to six months they usually get lighter in colour and flatten out although they will never disappear completely. They may remain the same size for several months, or even widen.
Although the scars are permanent, the contour changes in the chest wall are usually so dramatic that most of our patients no longer feel self-conscious baring their chests in public settings.
How long is the operation?
The actual surgical time varies depending on the amount of surgery necessary for each patient, but usually is about two to three hours.
How long is the hospital stay?
Gynaecomastia surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anaesthesia or sedation if only liposuction is being performed. This means you can go home the same day once you have recovered from the anaesthetic.
How much pain should I expect?
This is a difficult question to answer definitively. Every patient has a different pain tolerance. However, we will prescribe sufficient pain medication throughout your recovery period to ensure the discomfort you feel is manageable.
Most people feel tender and bruised after surgery, but are not in a great deal of pain.
What happens after the surgery?
You will be able to shower lightly as soon as two days after your surgery.
Massage of the treated areas will begin 7-10 days after surgery to help decrease the swelling faster and to smooth out any irregularities.
We use dissolving stitches that do not have to be removed.
When can I go in the sun?
You should avoid exposing your new scars to the sun for at least six months or until they have matured well. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing the scars to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun block.
Will I need to wear a support garment?
A support garment is worn for six weeks - night and day continuously for the first four weeks, except while showering, and then during the day for another two weeks. This garment will help reduce swelling and conform the skin to your new shape.
When will I be able to go back to work and resume my normal activities?
You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. You can generally return to work after 7-10 days, depending on how you feel and the type of job that you have. In general, it will take about a month before you're back to all of your normal activities.
We encourage you to start walking almost immediately after your surgery to diminish the risk of blood clots in your legs, as a result of immobilization from the anaesthetic. Even while you are resting, you should be moving your feet and ankles frequently to promote circulation in your legs. In our experience, this will help you will recover much faster, and with fewer complications.
Avoid lifting heavy objects for 3 weeks. Walking is encouraged immediately post operatively. Strenuous aerobic activity or weightlifting can be resumed at approximately four weeks post operatively. For the first four weeks, you should stay away from any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area. By and large, you should let your body be your guide. If it doesn’t hurt, go do it. If it does hurt, stop.
How long will the results last?
This is impossible to answer definitively. Factors affecting the length of the result include age at the time of operation, physical condition before and afterwards, quality of skin, and alterations in weight.
The procedure re-contours the breast by reducing the number of cells. This is permanent. If one does gain a significant amount of weight, however, the cells that do remain can enlarge diminishing the benefits. Overall contour, however, remains improved.
The vast majority of people do not require a second gynaecomastia correction surgery in their lifetime.
