The condition is called gynecomastia. It’s usually caused by a combination of excess skin, fat and glandular tissue. Some cases can be traced to endocrine imbalances or drug side effects, but for most men the cause is unknown.
Do you dread removing your shirt? Embarrassed when you exercise? If you feel self-conscious about your chest, male chest reduction surgery can help.
An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Bartell can remove fat and glandular tissue from the chest as well as excess skin, if necessary, to create a more natural and masculine appearance.
Don’t be embarrassed or suffer in silence. Take the first step to making your life better. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Bartell.
Best Candidates for Male Chest Reduction
The best candidates for male chest reduction are healthy and maintain a relatively normal weight, but have well-localized areas of fat deposits. Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final chest contour.
If you are obese or overweight, the first step is to try to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss. Excessive alcohol, marijuana and anabolic steroid use may cause gynecomastia. If you use any of these drugs, stopping use may diminish chest fullness and should be tried before considering surgery.
While male chest reduction surgery can enhance your appearance and boost your self-confidence, you may not be able to achieve your ideal image. The best way to know if gynecomastia surgery is right for you is to schedule a free consultation. Dr. Bartell will discuss your needs and options, explain the procedure in more detail, and share male chest reduction before and after photos from his practice. He can also provide a firm quote for your male chest reduction procedure.
Potential Risks of Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Thousands of gynecomastia procedures are performed successfully every year. Most surgeries go very smoothly and complications are rare, but you should be aware of the risks before surgery.
Complications that can occur include:
- Bleeding or infection. Possible in any surgery, but extremely unusual.
- Hematoma. A collection of blood under the skin that must be aspirated with a needle.
- Contour irregularities.
- Reaction to anesthetic.
The scars are a little red initially, but are small, well hidden and should fade with time. Loss of breast sensation or numbness is a temporary effect of male chest reduction surgery and may last up to a year.
Please feel free to talk with Dr. Bartell about the risks and consequences of male chest reduction surgery. One of the best ways to decrease your risk is to choose a surgeon who is highly experienced in performing gynecomastia corrective surgery and is a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Bartell.
Planning for Male Chest Reduction Surgey
A chest reduction consultation with Dr. Bartell, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is free. There’s no obligation.
At your free consultation, Dr. Bartell will listen to your concerns, describe the procedure, and show you numerous gynecomastia before and after photographs of previous patients. He will provide a firm price quote for the procedure, including all related fees. Financing information is also available.
If you decide to have chest reduction surgery, Dr. Bartell will meet with you to perform a history and physical examination. Be sure to inform Dr. Bartell if you:
- Have allergies
- Take any medications (prescription or over-the-counter)
- Smoke
Dr. Bartell will give you prescriptions for any medications you may need before and after the surgery. You will receive a printed set of pre- and postoperative instructions. These will prepare you for what you should do before surgery, what to have on hand at home for afterward, and what to do on the day of your surgery. Dr. Bartell will review these instructions with you, but it’s important to read these instructions carefully on your own and keep them accessible for easy reference.
The Male Chest Reduction Surgery
The gynecomastia procedure is performed using a general anesthetic, so you’ll sleep through the entire operation. Surgery usually lasts about one hour. Once you’re asleep, Dr. Bartell makes a few small incisions where the scars won’t be seen. He often begins the procedure with some liposuction. Fluid is introduced into the areas to be treated to decrease bleeding and aid in the sculpting of fat. Next, Dr. Bartell uses a variety of cannulas (hollow tube instruments) to vacuum the fat layers under the skin. Then glandular tissue is removed through a small incision made at the border of the areolas. If excessive skin exists, this is removed as well. Finally, Dr. Bartell closes the incisions with sutures. An elastic compression garment is placed to help the swelling go away as quickly as possible.
Most patients spend a short time in the recovery area and go home after only a few hours. You will need to arrange a ride home from the surgery center. Make sure you have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours.
Dr. Bartell performs most of male chest reduction surgeries at his Madison office. Take a tour of Dr. Bartell’s fully accredited, private surgery suite and meet his topnotch surgical support team.
After Male Chest Reduction Surgery
After your gynecomastia surgery, you will feel some discomfort for a few days. This can easily be controlled with medications prescribed by Dr. Bartell. You will also be swollen and bruised for a while and will need to wear a compression garment as much as possible for about three weeks. Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in the first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the final outcome of your surgery is apparent.
You will be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of the surgery. You can return to work when you feel well enough, which could be as early as a day or two later. Any stitches will be removed about one week following the procedure.
Avoid any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area for at least three weeks after surgery. It will take about a month before you’re back to all of your normal activities. You should also avoid exposing the resulting scars to the sun for at least six months. Sunlight can permanently affect your skin’s pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun block.
Almost all patients are extremely pleased with their decision to undergo gynecomastia surgery. Your decision is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If the results meet your goals, then your surgery is truly a success.