Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia refers to the appearance of breast tissue in men. It is extremely common and all men do have some degree of breast tissue and in most cases this is perfectly normal. In some men the amount of breast tissue (or fatty tissue) is quite substantial and the appearance can make people feel self-conscious. There can be underlying reasons why breast tissue develops in a man, for example hormonal factors and there is also the rare possibility of breast cancer (and if there is a family history of breast cancer then this risk is increased to a degree). Often however there is no identifiable cause for the condition.
GYNAECOMASTIA SURGERY
How long will the operation take?
About 1-2 hour.
Will I need a general anaesthetic?
Yes, you will need to be asleep for the surgery.
How many nights will I have to be in hospital?
Usually you can go home the same day, although some patients prefer to stay one night.
How long will I need to take off work?
Generally, patients need about 1-2 weeks off work.
What should I avoid after the operation?
Patients should avoid heavy lifting and high impact exercise for about 4-6 weeks.
What are the risks of the operation? All operations carry some risks. Bruising, swelling and a tight sensation around the chest are quite common after this type of surgery. Rarely infection, bad scarring, asymmetry, bleeding and permanent numbness of the skin or nipple can occur. There is often some degree of residual lumpiness and the result is invariably not perfect.
During your consultation, all the risks of surgery will be explained to you in much more detail.
When will I need appointments after the operation?
You will normally be seen for an appointment at 1-2 weeks and at about 3 months after surgery to ensure that you are recovering well. The scars continue to settle and improve over time and typically fade to the normal skin colour after about 1-2 years.
