Who is a good candidate for male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia)?

Male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) will improve the contour of your chest by reducing prominent breast tissue, allowing you to wear the clothing you desire and to participate in activities such as swimming normally.

Is there an ideal age for male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia)?

Male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) can be performed at any age after puberty, whenever you have prominent breast tissue that is bothering you

What does the operation do?

Male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) removes fat, glandular tissue, and sometimes skin from the breasts, making the chest contour flatter.

How long does a male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) last & can my breasts regrow?

A male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) is usually permanent if your weight is stable. Your breasts are made up of hormonal breast tissue and fat, and changes in either of these can change the size of your breasts. Even if your weight is stable then hormonal changes can occasionally cause your breasts to enlarge again, possibly requiring another operation.

What techniques of male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) are there and can you minimize the size of the scars?

Most patients who have male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) only have a scar around the lower half of the areola. Some patients with very fatty breasts can have the breast reduced by liposuction alone, leaving one 2 small (5mm) scars in the crease below the breast – however, this often does not reduce the breast as well as excising the breast tissue – for the best improvement in contour you need to accept larger scars. Patients with large and very droopy breasts (where skin needs to be excised as well as the fat and breast tissue) need larger scars on the chest wall.

Are there any alternatives to male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) with scars?

Liposuction (with only two 5mm scars per breast) can be used to reduce your breasts, with the risk of having slightly droopier breasts afterwards, but a large reduction is not possible just with liposuction.

Is there a Medicare rebate for male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia)?

There is a Medicare rebate for reduction where breast tissue is excised (but not for liposuction alone), which means that if you are insured your health fund may cover the hospital bed fee and theatre fee costs (depending on your level of insurance)

Where is male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) performed?

Male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia) is performed as a day-surgery or overnight stay procedure in an accredited hospital, depending on what you are like with anaesthetic recovery. Occasionally if the amount of breast tissue is very small then the operation can be performed under local anaesthetic in the office.

How can I get the best possible scars after male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia)?

It is normal for scars to be red, lumpy and obvious for 6-8 weeks after surgery. After this they gradually fade, with most people’s scars being white by one year, although uncommonly this process can take 2 or more years. The simplest way to help this process is to keep tape such as Micropore tape on the scars for the first 3 months or so, but an alternative to this is to massage the scars. Most correction of gynaecomastia scars are hard to see once they fade.

What will I be able to do in the first week after surgery & when can I return to work?

During the first week after surgery you need to rest and take things quietly at home. When you go home there will be waterproof dressings covering your breasts, which normally stay on for one week, allowing you to shower normally. You should wear your compression garment the whole time, which needs to be worn for at least two weeks after the surgery. Most people feel well enough to drive to the postoperative visit, which is usually 5-7 days later, and most people return to office work 10 days after male breast reduction (correction gynaecomastia).

When will I feel completely normal and be able to play sport?