Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia) in the San Francisco, Bay Area

Dr. Rajagopal and San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center are the Bay Area’s established leaders in breast reduction. We’re proud to offer gynecomastia procedures using the latest technology and medical techniques.

Why Male Breast Reduction?

Male breast reduction has become sensationally popular in the United States. Of the 68,106 cosmetic breast reduction surgeries performed in 2015, over 40% were for men: the highest percentage men have accounted for in the history of plastic surgery.

Male breast reduction (gynecomastia) is a procedure to remove tissue and fat in the breast area. Men facing challenges with the size and shape of their breasts, often from a genetic predisposition, turn to this surgery as a way to tone and tighten their body. Gynecomastia surgery both flattens and alters upper body contours through the removal of excess breast tissue. Advances in modern medicine make the surgery straightforward and often quick, with a reasonable recovery time.

KRON 4 Body Beautiful: Dr. Rajagopal discusses gynecomastia / male breast reduction:

*Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person.

The Best Candidates For Gynecomastia

Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body’s new contours. You should be physically healthy, psychologically fit, and realistic in your expectations.

Gynecomastia Procedure

If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, (this is the most common), Dr. Rajagopal will likely use liposuction to remove the excess fat. A small incision, less than a half-inch in length, is made around the edge of the areola- the dark skin that surrounds the nipple. Alternatively, the incision may be placed in the underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula, which is attached to a vacuum pump, is then inserted into the incision. Using strong, deliberate strokes, Dr. Rajagopal moves the cannula through the layers beneath the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Patients may feel a vibration or some friction during the procedure, but generally no pain.

If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL). In a typical gynecomastia procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location – either on the edge of the areola or in the under arm area. Working through the incision, Dr. Rajagopal cuts away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from around the areola and from the sides and bottom of the breast. Major reductions that involve the removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin may require larger incisions that result in more conspicuous scars. If liposuction is used to remove excess fat, the cannula is usually inserted through the existing incisions.

In extreme cases where large amounts of fat or glandular tissue have been removed, skin may not adjust well to the new smaller breast contour. In these cases, excess skin may have to be removed to allow the remaining skin to firmly adjust to the new breast contour. Sometimes, a small drain is inserted through a separate incision to draw off excess fluids. Once closed, the incisions are usually covered with a dressing. The chest may be wrapped to keep the skin firmly in place.

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After the Gynecomastia Procedure

Whether you’ve had excision with a scalpel or liposuction, you will feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon. In any case, you should arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery and to help you out for a day or two if needed. You’ll be swollen and bruised for a while-in fact, you may wonder if there’s been any improvement at all.

To help reduce swelling after gynecomastia, you’ll probably be instructed to wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for six weeks. Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in the first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the final results of the surgery are apparent. In the meantime, it is important to begin getting back to normal.

You’ll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of your gynecomastia surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough-which could be as early as a day or two after surgery. Any stitches will generally be removed about 1 to 2 weeks following the gynecomastia procedure. Dr. Rajagopal may advise you to avoid sexual activity for a week or two, and heavy exercise for about three weeks. You’ll be told to stay away from any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area for at least four weeks.

In general, it will take about a month before you’re back to all of your normal activities. You should also avoid exposing the resulting scars to the sun for at least six months. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin’s pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun- block.