Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia in Plastic Surgery Tijuana is a disorder in men characterized by excess glandular tissue in the breast area, of the chest. Older adolescent boys and men with gynecomastia can feel self-conscious about their appearance and choose to have male breast reduction surgery.
At Plastic Surgery Tijuana Center, Dr. Rafael Camberos treats gynecomastia using liposuction and surgical excision.
Male breast reduction is not a weight loss treatment and is, therefore, most appropriate for patients who are close to their ideal weight but have a hard time reducing and firming the chest. Skin quality is also extremely important to the outcome of the procedure because firm, elastic skin shrinks more easily for tight and refined results.
In general, patients undergoing gynecomastia treatment should be in good overall health and not more than 20 pounds overweight.
Gynecomastia surgery can:
- Reduce the amount of excess fat in the pectoral area
- Excise excess skin when necessary
- Improve a man’s self-image and confidence
Understanding Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia can be caused by a number of factors, including certain medications and hormonal imbalances. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, gynecomastia accounts for more than 65% of all male breast disorders.
The best treatment approach to gynecomastia is male breast reduction surgery. While not considered to be a serious medical condition, enlarged breasts may cause men to experience mild physical discomfort, as well as emotional distress and social embarrassment.
Understanding The Procedure
Male breast reduction for gynecomastia is an outpatient procedure that is performed either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the size of the treatment area, the amount of fat to be extracted, and the liposuction technique used. Dr. Camberos performs gynecomastia surgery by combining excision and male liposuction to remove both excess fat and tissue.
An ultrasound-assisted liposuction technique is often used because the tissue in the breast area is often fibrous, and the ultrasound breaks up the fat before the gynecomastia treatment. This sometimes allows for smaller incisions. The surgery usually takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of the gynecomastia and the patient’s individualized treatment plan.
The incisions are generally placed on the edge of the nipple or in the underarm area. Major reductions may require more extensive incisions, but this is discussed with each patient in great detail prior to the procedure. After surgery, incisions are closed, and garments are wrapped around the chest to keep the treatment area protected.
Recovery
After waking up from surgery, you will remain under our care for a few hours prior to returning home. You will be given instructions for after-care, and we will prescribe pain medication, which you may need to ease discomfort during the first several days after the procedure.
Pressure garments will be applied and will remain in place for a few days. Light physical activity, including walking, is encouraged to reduce the risk of blood clots; however, you should not exercise for several weeks.
Most of our male breast reduction patients return to work within a week and achieve a full recovery within 3 weeks. Final results may not be visible for up to 3 months, however. To reduce the risk of complications, we advise you to follow all post-operative instructions provided by our team, including smoking cessation.
We are available throughout the recovery process, and you are encouraged to contact us with any questions and/or concerns you may have after your male breast reduction procedure.
Gynecomastia Surgery Information
For more information about gynecomastia surgery, request a consultation online. Or you can call our office at +1 (619) 598 – 2517 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
- STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. It is best to avoid smoking, second hand smoke and cigarette replacements, such as nicotine patches or gum, in the perioperative period. While you should ideally stop smoking for 2 weeks before and after your surgical procedure, YOU MUST NOT SMOKE FOR A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS BEFORE AND 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY.
- TAKE MULTIVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.
- TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.
- START TAKING AN IRON SUPPLEMENT: A good iron supplement, such as Feosol, is required starting one week before surgery and four weeks following surgery. Bowel movements may appear darker than usual as a result. Feosol is available without prescription.
- DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Review the list of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen carefully. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
- LIMIT VITAMIN E: Limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day.
- FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you.
- CONFIRM SURGERY TIME: We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us to confirm at +1 (619) 598 – 2517.
- PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions you were given and set the medications out to bring with you tomorrow.
- CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the surgical areas with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase II I.
- EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight except for a small amount of water to rinse your mouth while brushing your teeth.
- SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning.
- ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.
- CLEANSING: Shower and wash the surgical areas again with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase Ill.
- MAKE-UP: Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup.
- CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not go over your head. NO TIGHT PANTS. Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry. Please do not bring valuables with you.
- CHECK IN/PREPARATION: Surgery Time:
- You should plan to arrive 45 minutes earlier than your scheduled surgery time. Patients less than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. When you arrive at our office on the day of your surgery, give the receptionist the phone number of the pharmacy you would like us to call for any special medications our surgeon and associates might prescribe.
- CARETAKER: Someone must spend the first night after surgery with you.
ACTIVITY
- The first week you will need to rest frequently. You need to walk around the house every 2 hours as tolerated. Avoid stairs if possible.
- For the first week post-op, sleep on your back with your head elevated.
- Avoid picking anything up greater than 5 lbs for 4 weeks.
- DO NOT EXERCISE FOR 4-6 WEEKS.
- You may not drive the first week or while you are taking pain medication. After that it will depend on your ability to handle a car without causing any discomfort.
- Do not engage in sexual activity at least 4-6 weeks after your surgery.
- No smoking. This will interfere with your healing.
DIET
- Eat light the first 24 hours, clear liquids advancing to a regular diet as tolerated.
- If you have persistent nausea stick to a bland diet until it subsides.
- Avoid foods that can cause a lot of gas. This can cause abdominal distention and undue discomfort. Small frequent meals are best.
- The pain medicine may cause constipation. Drink plenty of fluids. You may take any over the counter laxatives or stool softeners as needed.
DRESSINGS
- It is normal to have numbness over the surgical sites for several weeks or months.
- Do not use a heating pad or ice around the surgical sites. It could cause a burn.
- You may shower on postoperative day 2.
- It is normal to see dried bloody drainage on the pads.
- Do not remove surgical tape under breasts.
MEDICATIONS
- Take your antibiotic until it is completed. Antibiotic should be taken with food at each dose.
- If the pain medication is a narcotic it should be taken as prescribed. Do not take any Tylenol while on pain medication. The medication we prescribe may already have Tylenol in it.
- Do not drink alcohol or drive a car while taking pain medication.
- The pain medication may cause nausea and should be taken with food at each dose.
- You may resume your regular medication after your surgery except for Vitamin E, Fish oil and Aspirin (wait at least 5 days post-op).
- If you take aspirin or coumadin check with the doctor to see when you may resume them.
CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU HAVE:
- A temperature greater than 101.5 degrees.
- Excessive bleeding from the incision.
- A sudden increase in drainage, pain, or swelling around the incision site or the surrounding area.
- If you have persistent vomiting.