Male breast reduction surgery remains a taboo conversation topic, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are many adult men and teenaged boys who are in need of this important procedure. Enlarged male breasts can be cumbersome, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. Adding liposuction to the male breast reduction is a key way to provide more effective results under the right circumstances. If you’re troubled by your overly large male breasts, consulting with a plastic surgeon can help you determine if liposuction, breast reduction, or a combination of the two surgeries would be the best choice for you.
What Is Male Breast Reduction?
Male breast reduction is fairly similar in concept to a female breast reduction. The procedure is formed to reduce the size of the breasts by removing fat and/or glandular tissue from the area in order to create a flatter, firmer chest. While breast tissue is left behind in the female version, a male reduction typically aims to remove as much as possible, leaving very little, if any, behind.
The breast reduction for men has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to the increase in cases of gynecomastia among adult and young men. The issue is rarely discussed because of the embarrassment it can cause to patients. Yet, it’s important for men with gynecomastia to realize that they are not alone: roughly 40 to 60 percent of men are affected by this condition, which can be caused by hormones, certain medications, and some medical conditions. Through male breast reduction, the unwanted breast growth of this condition can be reversed almost completely.
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction is a versatile procedure that is designed to remove unwanted pockets of fat from various locations of the body. Typically, liposuction is used to eliminate fat cells that have not responded to diet and exercise. In the case of breast reductions, the fat that collects around breast tissue tends to be somewhat resistant and difficult to reduce with traditional methods. For this reason, liposuction is often paired with breast reduction surgeries.
There are two main methods used for performing liposuction: suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) and ultrasonic-assisted lipectomy (UAL). Both procedures begin in the same way, with the injection of a saline, lidocaine, and adrenaline formula that will decrease bruising and bleeding in the area. A tiny incision will then be placed near the treatment area and in the least visible location. The SAL procedure continues with the use of a cannula or small tube, which is inserted into the incision and manipulated back and forth to break apart the fat cells and suction them out. For UAL procedures, ultrasonic energy is uses to liquefy the fat cells before they are suctioned out with the cannula.
When Is Liposuction Added to Male Breast Reduction?
Liposuction can be added to many different surgical procedures, including male breast reduction, as an effective and thorough way to remove unwanted fat cells. In most cases of gynecomastia, a combination of fat cells and breast tissue occurs to result in a larger, more bulbous chest. Removing the breast tissue is part of the surgery, but when patients have large areas of fat surrounding the area, a more direct approach is necessary. Either the SAL or UAL type of liposuction may be used to suction away the fat accumulations in the breast area. By using this proven method of fat removal, your surgeon can design the best procedure for you and deliver your optimum results. Removing the fat in this manner will leave the chest flatter and firmer.
What Results Can Be Expected?
While every different body and every single procedure is unique, you should expect your male breast reduction to eliminate a large amount of mass from your chest. During your consultation, you should discuss the results your surgeon sees for you and your body. Many men can achieve a flatter, more muscular-looking chest after a male breast reduction. In other cases, a very small amount of tissue may be left behind. Either way, you should expect your male breast reduction results to be dramatic and noticeable, eliminating much of your embarrassment and discomfort right along with it.
Where Can I Schedule a Consultation?
To learn more about male breast reduction and liposuction procedures, book your consultation with an experienced plastic surgery. Contact the office of Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech, a fully trained plastic surgeon Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, to book your consultation today. He will be happy to walk you through what you should expect from a body lift procedure or any other surgery that might address your areas of concern. A specialist in Minimally Invasive Aesthetics, he incorporates this philosophy into all of his surgical and nonsurgical procedures, while aiming to get you the best results possible. Dr. Steinbrech has been selected by the Consumers’ Research Council of America as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons. Contact his office, located at 60 East 56th Street, Suite 3A, in New York City, by calling (212) 750-0070.