Gynecomastia Surgery - Types, Procedure & Recovery

Gynecomastia surgery is breast reduction surgery for men who have unwanted “excess” breast tissue. A plastic surgeon can offer a flatter chest by removing excess breast tissues, fat and skin from the area, also enhancing the pectoral contours. The procedure can be done on one or both sides of the chest, generally in the same surgical operation.

People go through this procedure to improve their self-image and confidence. They also go for this procedure to enhance the way their body look. Reducing the breast tissue can help people get their self-esteem back. Some people also choose this procedure so as to reduce pain and soreness that results from excess breast tissue. 

Gynecomastia, also known as man boob surgery, is very common and affects more than half the male population. In India, around 29,532 people opt for this surgery every year. It is an elective procedure.

Different Types of Gynecomastia Surgery

There are 3 different types of gynecomastia surgery. The surgeon usually recommends the best technique for you. Some of them are: 

Liposuction

If your gynecomastia is caused by extra fatty tissues, you will be going through a liposuction surgery. It involves taking out the fat in the chest tissue from the chest cavity. At the same time, leaving the gland tissue intact. To achieve this, a cannula, a small hollow tube, is inserted through several tiny incisions. It is done under local anesthesia. The cannula is moved back and forth carefully to loosen the extra fat, which is then suctioned out. 

The main advantage of this procedure is that there are little to no scars behind which are undetectable once fully healed. It can also sculpt the chest to look more defined and masculine. Liposuction offers noticeable improvements, often immediately after the procedure. It can leave behind swelling and bruising for a few weeks. 

The cost of liposuction gynecomastia surgery ranges from INR 45,000 to INR 80,000.

Excision

Excision involves larger incisions in the affected area. It involves the removal of the glandular breast tissue or excess skin to correct the gynecomastia. The length, location and pattern of the incisions generally depend on the chest size and the desired results. It also depends on the surgeon’s preferences. 

If the areola, the dark skin around the nipple, is to be made smaller or moved to a more natural position, excisions have to be made again. For cases where there is too much excess skin, surgeons may also perform skin tightening techniques such as skin lifting to achieve a smoother and tighter chest contour.

The cost of excision gynecomastia surgery in India ranges from INR 40,000 to INR 85,000, depending on factors such as the surgeons expertise, the complexity of the procedure, and the location of the clinic or hospital.

Combination

For unwanted excess chest fat removal, surgeons go for a combination of liposuction and excision. In cases where the excess tissue causes sagging, pulling the nipple downwards can result in the skin around the nipple making it look larger. Here, the surgery for gynecomastia also involves resizing, adjusting, and repositioning the nipple. 

This procedure is more invasive, hence requiring additional healing time. Since the surgeon will inject general anesthesia, you wont feel any pain during the surgery. It would take time for your breast tissue to fully heal and for swelling to reduce, but the results, once they appear, remain permanent. You may or may not require more than one surgery to get the desired results. 

Who is eligible for the gynecomastia surgery?

According to the surgeons, anyone with any level of gynecomastia - stage 1 gynecomastia to stage 4 - is eligible for the surgery. But some requirements should be met by the candidate to go through the surgery:

These are: 

• Managing underlying health conditions like diabetes, thyroid, etc.
• Not consuming tobacco, nicotine, or alcohol during the preparation of the surgery and until the recovery is complete.
• Turning down immune-suppressing medications
• Not suffering from any blood disorder
• Having one or more people as caretakers until your recovery
• Being mentally strong enough to go through the surgery
• Must be at least 18 or at maximum 65 years of age

Procedure

The gynecomastia surgery procedure begins with a consultation with the best cosmetic surgeon Dr. Ritesh Anand who specialises in plastic and cosmetic surgeries. He reviews your medical history and discusses with you the approach to achieve your desired results. 

In most of the cases, surgeons prefer performing liposuction to remove the breast tissue. It is done by making various small incisions and inserting a suction hose, a cannula, to remove the excess fat. The patient is given anesthesia to ensure comfort and safety as well as to reduce the pain. The surgeon beforehand marks the area to be treated. The patient is then prepped for surgery by sterilizing the area to minimize the risk of infection. Small incisions are made, generally around the areola, to minimize visible scarring. 

The cannulas are inserted into the body through a 3 mm areolar incision or an incision in the anterior axilla along the pectoralis major tendon. If you have excess skin, fats, and tissue, your surgeon will recommend an excision, where larger incisions are made to remove the breast tissue. Incisions of 5-7 mm in size are made using this technique. 

Using the cannula, the excess fat and tissue are carefully broken down and suctioned out. The cannula is then moved back and forth to ensure even fat removal to get a smooth, natural chest contour. 

Once the desired amount of tissue and fat is removed, the incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape. In some cases, drainage tubes may be inserted to prevent fluid buildup. 

Full recovery and the outcome are generally visible within a few weeks. 

Gynecomastia treatment without surgery includes hormone therapy, medications, and a few lifestyle changes.

Recovery 

Male Gynecomastia surgery is often an outpatient surgery, which means you are discharged and allowed to go home on the same day. The surgeon will provide you with bandages and will make you wear a supportive garment around your chest to heal. This garment will support your chest and reduce swelling. 

You will be provided with medications to relieve pain and also to decrease the swelling and lower the risk of infections. Your surgeon may place some thin tubes under your skin during the surgery to drain fluid and blood during the healing process. They will be removed when they are no longer needed.

Here is what you can expect during the recovery period: 

Immediately after the gynecomastia surgery, you may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the chest area. 

During the first week, it becomes important to prioritize rest and avoid strenuous activities to promote healing. The compression garment will be recommended. 

After two to three weeks, swelling and bruising start to subside, and you may feel more comfortable. However, wearing a compression garment is still essential to aid in skin retraction. 

After four to six weeks, most patients can resume light activities and work post-surgery. However, strenuous activities should still be avoided to prevent complications and promote proper healing.

After three to six months, the majority of the swelling should have resolved, and you can reintroduce more vigorous physical activities into your routine. You would be required to follow the surgeon’s guidelines.

Full recovery and the final results of gynecomastia surgery are typically visible within a few weeks. Scarring will fade over time becoming less noticeable with proper care. 

When should you see your surgeon after your gynecomastia surgery?

After your gynecomastia surgery, its crucial to contact your surgeon immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms. Look out for bleeding from the incision or pus around the incision sites, as these could indicate an infection. If the incision opens up or if you experience redness and swelling around the area, these could be signs of a problem that needs prompt attention. Severe pain in your chest region should not be ignored, as it may indicate a complication. 

Additionally, if the scars are not healing properly or if you develop a high fever, it might suggest an infection that requires medical intervention. Difficulty breathing is a serious symptom that needs urgent attention and should be reported to your surgeon right away. Pay attention to any numbness or tingling in the operated area, as well as any irregularities or deformities in your chest, as these could be signs of improper healing. Notifying your surgeon immediately can help address these issues promptly and ensure a smoother and safer recovery process.

Conclusion

Hence, gynecomastia surgery is the surgery done to enhance your masculine contours to provide you with your desired appearance, reducing your unwanted breast tissues. Though gyno surgery requires a long healing time, it is an effective cosmetic treatment. 

With experienced cosmetic surgeons like Dr. Ritesh Anand, who is also known as one of the best cosmetic and plastic surgeons in Delhi NCR, you can have a safe and smooth gyno removal surgery with the best outcomes. You can rely on his 16+ years of amazing experience for any cosmetic procedure. Visit him today for all your aesthetic concerns!