Gynecomastia
Male Breast Reduction by Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills & Las Vegas
What is Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Male breast reduction surgery, or Gynecomastia, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess breast tissue and fat from the male chest. It is a common procedure for men who are unhappy with the size or shape of their breasts and can improve self-esteem and quality of life.
Contrary to what most people might think, breast reduction isn’t exclusively for women. Some men suffer from enlarged breasts or gynecomastia, which can be painful or sensitive. Thankfully, you can rectify the situation through breast reduction for men
Gynecomastia surgery can vary depending on each patient’s specific situation. Some patients as determined by their mammogram may require only a liposuction type of procedure while others may need removal of excess skin and unwanted breast tissue.
With deep experience in the industry, Dr. Peter Fodor is an internationally recognized aesthetic surgeon, double board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has served as President of The Semmelweis Scientific Society, Chairman of the Board of Trustees in the Lipoplasty Society of North America, and President of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Length of Surgery – Usually one to three hours.
Anesthesia – Twilight (sedation) anesthesia, or general anesthesia. On the cutting edge and preferred by Dr. Fodor is TIVA, which is a combination of the two. It diminishes bleeding and post-operative nausea. Dr. Fodor has used this method for many years.
Recovery – Initial no or only mild discomfort easily controlled medication; back to work in two to three days; swelling minimal, bruising generally subsides in one to two weeks; avoid chest weight lifting for one month.
Scars – Although scars are permanent and can remain noticeable, by far most scars fade over time; poor healing with raised or wide scars a possibility.
Types of Male Breast Reduction
The correction of gynecomastia is frequently performed under general anesthesia and sometimes under sedation (twilight) anesthesia, in which both a local anesthetic and sedation are used to the patient is awake but largely unaware of what is going on.
- Liposuction Only Male Breast Reduction – In cases where the breast enlargement is primarily caused by excess fatty tissue, liposuction may be the only treatment necessary. In cases where liposuction is necessary, usually a small incision about an eight of an inch in length is made in the armpit, breast fold, or around the edge of the areola. Skin that is healthy and elastic will then shrink to the new chest contour.
- Minimal Incision Male Breast Reduction – If large qualities of fat need to be removed and the skin is not elastic enough or the patient presents with excess skin, then additional incisions will be necessary to achieve the desire result. Sometimes the incisions can be minimal, requiring incisions around the areola to remove the excess skin. These incisions usually heal quite nicely and hide within the darker skin of the areola.
- Traditional or Full Male Breast Reduction – If the patient presents with not only excess fat and skin, but also the need to remove glandular tissue, then a traditional male breast reduction may be recommended. A pre-operative mammogram will determine in most cases if this is necessary. The traditional male breast reduction includes larger incisions that include around the areola, a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease, and an incision along the breast crease. Removal of the glandular tissue is often necessary to prevent a protruding nipple.
View Dr. Fodor’s Before and After photo gallery.
Preparing for Gynecomastia Surgery
Dr. Fodor will give you instructions about how to prepare for surgery. These instructions will include guidelines for eating, drinking, and medications, such as avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications that promote bleeding.
You will need to arrange to have someone drive you to and from the surgery center the day of your procedure and possibly stay with you for the first night.
What is Gynecomastia Recovery?
You can expect to feel no or mild discomfort for a few days following surgery. Pain medications are prescribed as needed. Swelling and bruising are normal. These should dissipate within 7-10 days. The final results of your surgery may not be apparent for 2-3 months.
You may be instructed to wear a compression garment following surgery to help reduce swelling and bleeding. Superficial stitches will be removed in 7-10 days.
Additionally, you will need to avoid exposing your incisions to the sun for six months.
Your recovery from male breast reduction will depend on your specific procedure to address your cosmetic needs. Most patients experience no to mild pain for a few days following surgery and are able to return to work after a week or less. Male breast reduction patients are able to get back in the gym in 3-4 weeks at the direction of Dr. Fodor.
What is the Cost of Gynecomastia?
Otherwise known as reduction mammaplasty, male breast reduction is a surgical procedure involving removing excess fat and glandular tissue to restore a flatter, firmer, and more masculine contour to the chest. When a highly recommended surgeon conducts this particular surgery, this procedure can cost from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the patient’s specific needs.
What Factors Affect the Total Cost of a Male Breast Reduction?
- Type of procedures required. Before the procedure is done, Dr. Fodor recommends how much work you would require in order to achieve the chest you want. This procedure is usually done on men with enlarged breasts due to obesity, excessive alcohol intake, or poor health. Ultimately, every case has different surgical requirements, which can affect the overall surgery costs.
- Procedure location. The location of the clinic you’re looking to get the procedure done will ultimately affect the final costs. Getting the procedure conducted in cities like New York or Los Angeles usually costs more than your average male breast reduction. Dr. Fodor practices in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas.
- Post-procedure costs. You have to bear in mind that male breast reduction doesn’t end with the main surgery. Post-procedure, you have to return to the clinic to check your chest area’s condition and get all the necessary medical tests done. You also have to factor in the cost of prescription drugs and surgical garments.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Fodor
During your consultation, Dr. Fodor will be happy to discuss your options and cost based on your needs. Excellent surgical procedures come with a price, especially if not done correctly the first time. Hence, it would be best to have your surgery performed by an expert with vast experience in male breast reduction and other cosmetic procedures. Dr. Fodor has an established presence in Las Vegas and Beverly Hills and has worked with thousands of major plastic surgery patients, solidifying his stature as a leader in the industry. He also authored Be Your Best, the first book to combine the insights of over 150 board-certified plastic surgeons. Schedule an appointment with us today to help determine how much getting male breast reduction done will cost you.
Your Favorite Version of You Begins Here
Call today to schedule your confidential in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Peter Fodor to discuss your cosmetic goals.