By plastic surgeon Dr Dirk Kremer. 

It’s a statistic that some may find hard to believe, but up to 70% of all men will experience some form of enlarged breast tissue at some point during their lives. This common condition is called gynecomastia and can occur in males from a young age through to older adults. For the majority of males, gynecomastia is a temporary condition that is related to either the natural process of puberty or a poorly kept diet and lack of exercise. For the others, gynecomastia can prove to be a chronic condition that can not be resolved naturally and instead requires gynecomastia surgery.

An explanation gynecomastia surgery

The gynecomastia procedure removes unwanted excess fat and problematic glandular tissue from the male chest area. The surgery can also reduce the size of the areoles and nipples where necessary. The overall goal of gynecomastia surgery is to achieve a flatter, firmer and more aesthetically masculine looking chest area - while also helping to restore a patients confidence in their own appearance.

There are many reasons as to why men develop gynecomastia, ranging from certain medicational use, to natural hormonal irregularities or simply poor habits in their lifestyle. Males of any age can develop gynecomastia and fortunately male breast surgery can be safely performed on teenagers and adult men alike.

Why should male breast reduction surgery be considered?

Gynecomastia doesn’t hamper males with medical issues, therefore it’s the physical appearance that becomes bothersome enough to drive them towards seeking corrective surgery. If a patient weighs up the pros and cons of the surgery and believes that the benefits are well worth the recovery time, then chances are male breast reduction surgery could be the perfect solution.

Because gynecomastia can be often be caused by poor lifestyle habits such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, it’s important to first figure out the root cause of the condition with each patient before simply jumping straight into gynecomastia surgery. If poor lifestyle habits are improved yet an improvement isn’t echoed in the gynecomastia condition, then this may be the time to turn to surgery.

Preparing for your male breast reduction surgery

If much deliberation and research has led you to deciding that male breast surgery is the right choice for you, there are steps you should take beforehand as well as advice you should pay attention to from your plastic surgeon.

Decide on a realistic end goal

The removal of breast tissue is going to be the main goal of your surgery, but think about other things you may also want to address. Perhaps there are excess skin concerns, or the reposition of the nipples or the size of the areoles and nipples. You may also want to consider whether performing a combination of procedures at the same time would be beneficial, such as combining liposuction with your gynecomastia procedure. You ideal end goal should be discussed in great detail with your surgeon.

Choose the right plastic surgeon

It’s vital you invest an adequate amount of time in researching and selecting the right plastic surgeon for you and your procedure. You’ll want to ensure your surgeon is board-certified and highly skilled and experienced in performing gynecomastia surgery so that you can be sure they fully understand how to safely reduce male breast tissue and reshape the chest.

Make appropriate lifestyle changes

Male breast surgery may not be the perfect permanent fix you’re hoping for if the correct lifestyle choices aren’t made post-surgery - it is possible for the condition to return. Making the appropriate changes long before your surgery takes place will help you get used to your new improved lifestyle and find it far easier to continue as soon as you’ve recovered from your surgery.

You may want to consider the following changes or improvements:

• Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Reduce sugar intake
• Quit smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid hormonal supplements or steroids

Gear up for recovery

Researching, deciding and then actually undergoing surgery is only three quarters of the battle towards combatting your gynecomastia condition - the final quarter is a succesful recovery. You’ll need to make arrangements for enough time off work to fully heal and will most probably need assistance from family or friends with most chores in the immediate days following the procedure.

With the correct preparation beforehand, your male breast surgery should all go as planned and you’ll be able to appreciate achieving the best results possible.

If you’d like to discuss gynecomastia surgery in more detail don’t hesitate to get in touch to book your initial consultation. I offer a wide range of cosmetic surgeries here at Harley Street Aesthetics in the heart of London. Call 0845 519 7232, e-mail info@harleystreetaesthetics.com or simply complete our online contact form.