Male chest reduction (gynaecomastia) is a surgical procedure that flattens and reshapes the chest area by removing excess fat and/or glandular tissue.
Excess tissue on the chest is relatively common amongst men and can develop for a variety of reasons including hormonal imbalances/sensitivities, hereditary conditions or weight gain. Very rarely it can be associated with certain drugs in large quantities or organ disease. It can occur on one or both sides of the chest and can range from the size of a grape to woman-like breasts.
How is the tissue removed?
The technique depends on the amount and type of tissue to be removed and the quality of the skin. Excess fatty tissue is generally removed using liposuction, which involves suctioning the fat out using a vacuum device. Excess glandular tissue is manually excised (cut-out). Occasionally some form of skin removal and tightening will also be required.
Will I have scars?
You will have permanent scars, which may be barely visible or more extensive depending on the particular treatment required. Typically the scar is at the base of the nipple or around the nipple. Occasionally, the scar may extend further down the chest. If liposuction alone is sufficient, scars will be very small (3-4 mm in length) and in certain cases may even be confined to under the armpit.
Will the fat / glandular tissue come back?
No, when the tissue is removed it is gone forever. However, the procedure cannot prevent enlargement of the remaining tissue. If you consume more calories than you expend, the remaining fat cells in your body will get larger. This will typically affect a different area of your body, but may affect the chest. Where the treatment involves the removal of glandular tissue it is extremely rare for the condition to reappear as most of this tissue has been removed.
What are the risks?
Like all cosmetic procedures there are risks involved. There are general risks associated with surgery as well risks specific to the particular treatment. Your surgeon will discuss these with you as part of your consultation. Overall chest reduction is a safe procedure with few complications. Potential problems include unevenness or asymmetry, skin looseness, excessive scarring, pigmentation changes and altered sensation. Other rare problems include fluid accumulation, bleeding, infection and reaction to anaesthesia. |
