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Male Breast Surgery—it’s a thing, but should you get it?
Like any cosmetic procedure, some people feel a degree of stigma if it’s ‘only’ for aesthetic purposes. The role of men to be the rugged providers may be evolving in many societies, but often a gap remains between the acceptability of investing in your appearance as a male as versus a female. Each to their own, but when you look a little deeper, the complex psychological relationship we have with our bodies can have a profound effect on our sense of self and ultimately our medical health. In addressing this aspect of your appearance is something that will improve your quality of life in terms of aesthetics and mental health, it’s well worth looking into and seeking high quality, professional advice specific to your physical circumstances.
But what is it exactly?
Male breast surgery is more common than what most people are aware. The clinical presentation is referred to as gynecomastia. What is simply meant by this, is that there is a presence of excess fat or sometimes glandular tissue in the chest. It might occur unilaterally (on one side) or bilaterally (both sides). If non-surgical treatments are deemed unsuitable for your requirements, surgically removing this excess tissue can be performed as a day procedure or short hospital stay.
There will be incisions used in this procedure under either a local or general anesthetic, depending on the extent of your condition. In some instances, a process of liposuction will be used to suction the fat, removing it from the chest, while an incision below the nipple might be required for the surgeon to manually remove breast tissue. You might even undertake a combination of both of liposuction and excision techniques.
You may also need an additional procedure to remove some skin if there is sagging after fat/tissue removal.
What else do I need to know?
Recovery will involve a degree of bruising, swelling and sometimes numbness. Pain relief remedies can be prescribed by your surgeon, but many patients do not require this. You will likely wear a compression garment for several weeks after your procedure which is an important part of recovery, and with certain treatments, drainage tubes may be required immediately after the treatment. Like any surgical treatment, you’ll need time to recover, but the fitter and healthier you are, the easier this process will be. There will be several follow up checks to attend to make sure you’re healing properly.
Is it right for me?
Consult a medical professional regarding your suitability for this procedure, however general guidelines around gynaecomastia include waiting until the breasts are fully developed and addressing underlying causes such as excess weight before undertaking the procedure. Typically, a stable weight is also a prerequisite for this procedure to get the best results, as well as the absence of some medications in your system, including steroids. If you’re seeking more proportion or a flatter chest, male breast surgery might just be the way to go.
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