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What Is Gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is a common condition of the male breast involving an increase in the amount of breast tissue. It occurs very frequently during the hormonal burst of puberty and often spontaneously resolves. Occasionally, it fails to resolve or can come on at a later age. In most patients, there is no identifiable cause.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified practitioner.

What is the treatment?

The treatment for gynecomastia often involves a combination of surgical excision through an incision around the nipple and liposuction in order to remove the excess breast tissue and address breast shape. It is performed under general anaesthetic, generally as a day procedure.

Gynaecomastia Male Breast Reduction Photos

These before and after photos are of patients who have had surgery performed by Dr Craig Layt, our skilled plastic surgeon. These patients have consented to the photos being shown. These are actual photos and have not been altered or digitally enhanced. Every patient is an individual and therefore final surgical results will vary from patient to patient.

bna-sample Before
bna-sample After

What can you expect after the operation?

You will go home with a binder around your chest and sometimes some small drain tubes. If drains are used they will be removed a day or two after the surgery. For many patients, it is not a particularly painful procedure, with oral painkillers easily controlling the pain. You will be seen again in about a week to check on your progress. The binder should be worn at most times for about six weeks. Gentle exercise can be reinstituted about one week post surgery.

What are the potential risks?

There is no such thing as “risk free” surgery. The important thing is to understand any potential risks and minimise their occurrence by appropriate planning and management.

Specific Pre-Operative Instructions

WASHING:  Wash the evening prior to surgery and the day of surgery paying particular attention to the area being operated on. This decreases the bacterial count and should decrease the risks of infection.

PRODUCTS:  Do not apply moisturisers, make-up, perfume/deodorant, nail polish or hair products after washing. Remove all jewellery.

CLOTHING:  Wear loose, comfortable clothing and footwear. A shirt with a button or zipper opening is ideal for removal.

FASTING:  You should have nothing to eat or drink for six hours before your operation. If you are required to take medication during this time please speak with your physician to check if this can be taken before the six hour fasting period or after your procedure.

MEDICATION:  If you are having the operation as a day case, you will be given a script for antibiotics and pain relief tablets that you will need to purchase from the chemist and bring with you on the day of your procedure. Do not take these prior to surgery. The nursing staff will advise you and your carer after your procedure on how to administer them.

Certain over the counter products and prescription medicines can cause complications before and after surgery. They can reduce the ability of your blood to clot and could increase your tendency to bleed during and after surgery. Do not take any medication containing or related to aspirin two weeks prior to your procedure. This includes NSAID’S, anti-Inflammatory medications, blood thinning medications. Please contact your doctor regarding if and when to cease medication. *This is not an all inclusive list*.

Also avoid Vitamin E supplements and red wine. Stop all herbal medications before surgery. The most common herbs used are Echinacea, Ephedra, Garlic, Ginseng, Ginkogo, Kava, St. John’s Wort, and Valerian. They may adversely effect anaesthetic drugs, prolong bleeding and impair healing after surgery. Please consult your physician before ceasing any medication.

SMOKING: Smoking and vaping increases the risks of complications significantly and should be ceased 6-8 weeks prior to surgery.

ADMINISTRATION: Unfortunately, paperwork is a necessary evil. Each theatre complex has its own procedures. We have attempted to make it all easy by providing a simple series of steps to follow titled “THINGS TO DO FOR YOUR PROCEDURE” specific to the surgery centre you are attending. If you have any queries about this or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact us on (07) 5597 4100.

Specific Post-Operative Instructions

DRESSINGS:   Leave the dressings intact for the first 48 hours. We will see you and remove any drains and change dressings at this time.

SHOWERING:   You will need to have “bird baths” until the drains and bandages are removed. Thereafter, you can shower as usual.

SUTURES:   There are usually no sutures to be removed as dissolving sutures are used under the skin.

TED STOCKINGS:  You may be required to wear TED stockings for compression to prevent DVT (blood clotting) post-operatively.  If required these will be fitted at the hospital on your admission day.  The nursing staff will advise you on how long you need to wear these for.

MEDICATION:   Take your pain relief and antibiotic medication as directed.  Any medication you ceased prior to surgery must not be taken after your surgery until you are completely healed or as directed by your physician.

COMPRESSION VEST:   This will be fitted in theatre or at your post operative appointment when your drains are removed at 24-48hrs. The vest should be warn as much as possible for six weeks. You may remove this for showering.

The Layt Clinic offers a full range of surgical and non-surgical procedures that can be customized to an individual patient’s needs and goals. Options in addition to male breast reduction include facelift, wrinkle reduction, abdominoplasty, and many others. Contact us today for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

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