Male Breast Reduction Surgery with Dr. Guy Cappuccino

For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, male breast reduction surgery can help. This procedure removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured.

If you're considering surgery to correct gynecomastia, Dr. Cappuccino and his team are ready to walk you through this process and guide you to the results that will restore your ideal appearance and boost your quality of life to a significant degree. To learn more, reach out to our Mount Airy, Maryland location and set up your consultation.

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The Best Candidates for Gynecomastia Correction

Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy, emotionally stable men of any age. The best candidates for male breast reduction in Maryland have firm, elastic skin that will readily reshape and adjust to the body's new contours.

Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss. Also, individuals who drink alcoholic beverages in excess or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynecomastia. Therefore, patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is considered an option.

Before & After

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Potential Risks from Gynecomastia

When breast reduction for men is performed by a surgeon as highly qualified as Dr. Cappuccino, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are risks. These include infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and excessive fluid loss or accumulation. The procedure may also result in noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes in the breast area, or slightly mismatched breasts or nipples. If asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be performed to remove additional tissue.

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Planning Your Surgery

The initial consultation with Dr. Cappuccino is very important and will give Dr. Cappuccino the opportunity to look for causes of the gynecomastia, such as impaired liver function, use of estrogen-containing medications, or anabolic steroids. If a medical problem is the suspected cause, you'll be referred to an appropriate specialist.

In extreme cases, Dr. Cappuccino may recommend a mammogram or breast x-ray. This will not only rule out the very small possibility of breast cancer but will reveal the breast's composition. Once Dr. Cappuccino knows how much fat and glandular tissue is contained within the breasts, he can choose a surgical approach to best suit your needs.

You’ll receive specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking certain vitamins and medications. Smokers should plan to stop smoking for a minimum of one or two weeks before surgery and during recovery, as smoking decreases circulation and interferes with proper healing.

Where Will My Surgery Be Performed?

Surgery for gynecomastia is most often performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgery itself usually takes about an hour and a half to complete. More extensive procedures may take longer.

Type of Anesthesia

Correction of enlarged male breasts may be performed under general, or in some cases, under local anesthesia plus sedation. You'll be awake, but very relaxed and insensitive to pain. More extensive correction may be performed under general anesthesia, which allows the patient to sleep through the entire operation.

Dr. Cappuccino will discuss which option is recommended for you, and why this is the option of choice.

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The Male Breast Reduction Surgery

If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. In a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location, usually on the edge of the areola. Working through the incision, Dr. Cappuccino will cut 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. If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, your surgeon 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. Or, 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 the power-assisted Microaire liposuction system, Dr. Cappuccino will move the cannula through the layers beneath your skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out.

You may feel a vibration or some friction during the procedure if you are awake for the procedure, but generally no pain. In extreme cases where large amounts of fat or glandular tissue have been removed, the skin may not adjust well to the new smaller breast contour. In these cases, excess skin may have to be removed to allow the removing skin to firmly re-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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Recovering After Your Surgery

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 Dr. Cappuccino. 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.

Getting Back to Normal

To help reduce swelling, you'll be instructed to wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for a week or two, and for a few weeks longer at night. 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 your surgery are apparent. You'll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of 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 one to two weeks following the procedure, and Dr. Cappuccino will follow up with you accordingly.

You may be advised 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 sunblock.

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Your New Look: Life after Breast Reduction for Men

Male breast reduction is a procedure that enables patients to enjoy a flatter, more toned, and masculine chest. If you’re feeling bothered by the presence of enlarged male breasts, male breast reduction with Dr. Guy Cappuccino is the right procedure for you. This procedure can significantly improve your quality of life by enabling you to enjoy the contoured look you prefer. To learn more, reach out to our Mount Airy, Maryland office and set up your consultation today.

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