Male breast reduction for gynecomastia has become incredibly popular over the years, and it is now the 4th most commonly performed surgery for men in the UK.
With this recent uptick of breast reduction surgeries amongst men – and considerable exposure of the procedure in the media – Dr John has received an array of questions from interested candidates who would like to know more about the surgery.
So, for you, we thought we’d collate all of the burning questions surround gynecomastia reductions.
What causes gynecomastia?
Like we noted in a previous article, gynecomastia is generally created by a higher percentage of estrogen that causes your pre-existing breast tissue to swell. Other elements may also factor in, such as diseases or medical conditions, cancer, congenital or thyroid disorders. Gynecomastia can also be a side effect of certain medicines or drugs.
Will exercise get rid of my gynecomastia?
Unfortunately, not really. If you are already of a healthy weight, active and in generally good shape and still have enlarged breasts, then it is unlikely that exercise will tackle gynecomastia. This is because exercise merely eliminates fat, while gynecomastia is made up of glandular tissue. Only surgery can correct gynecomastia.
What is involved in the procedure?
The surgery typically involves making an incision and removing the excess gland from underneath the nipple, and sometimes removing any loose skin in the area. You can watch a livestream of the procedure here, where Dr John operates on Love Island’s Thomas Powell.
Do you remove all of the gland?
Yes, Dr John removes all of the gland — and you can even hold it, too, and take part in our #holdthegland movement, if you’re not too squeamish!
What about scarring? Is this noticeable?
Healed breast reduction scars usually aren’t noticeable, so most patients are pleased with their results. Minimal scarring is achieved by making the incision in the skin’s natural folds or around the areola.
Does it hurt?
Although all surgeries come with a degree of discomfort, most men would agree that breast reduction procedures aren’t very painful, and the benefits outweigh any potential discomforts within the short time span of the procedure. The surgery is also usually performed under local anaesthetic and doesn’t typically require sedation.
Will it come back after surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery has long lasting results, and it is permanent. However, the enlarged tissue may come back if you continue to use medications that were the cause of your gynecomastia, or if you don’t maintain your weight. The procedure is largely beneficial, and almost 90% of men don’t see their gynecomastia return after surgery.
When can I return to work?
Typically, we would advise that you allow yourself 2 weeks recovery time, unless your occupation is particularly strenuous — your doctor will be able to inform you of this.
Did we answer all of your questions? If you’re interested in ridding your man-boobs, why not reach out to Dr John today?
