Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments

Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions will be suitable candidates for Gynecomastia procedures.

Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health and examine your breasts, take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, and placement of your nipples and areolas. It is important to discuss your expectations with your surgeon and to listen to his or her professional opinion. The procedure will describe the procedure in detail, explaining the risks and limitations, making sure you understand the procedure as well as the scarring that will result.

Gynecomastia procedures are performed at the Centurion Day Hospital under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. We advise that you need to stop smoking two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. This will help to expedite your recovery period and encourage better healing on cellular level and to avoid unforeseen complications. After your consultation, you will be provided with a personalised quotation based on the recommendation of your surgeon. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days.

Gynecomastia procedures can take between an hour and an hour and a half in theatre. Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision.

Liposuction Technique

In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction. There are various liposuction techniques that may be used; the technique most appropriate in your case will be defined prior to your procedure.

Excision Technique

Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference. Gynecomastia procedure may also be a combination of liposuction and excision depending on what your surgeon recommend.

Drainage tubes may be used for several days after surgery, depending on your surgeon’s observation in theatre.

You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days after surgery but you will be able to mobilise post-operatively. You should be able to return to work within a week or two, depending on the level of activity required. The first follow-up appointment usually takes place between seven and ten days after surgery with a second to follow at six weeks.

Prescribed medication can control most of your discomfort. You may experience a burning sensation in your nipples or breasts but this will subside as the bruising fades. The self-dissolving sutures will dissolve gradually over time, but swelling in your breasts may take three to six weeks to disappear.

It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.

Gynecomastia surgery results are immediately visible. The final results of your gynecomastia surgery may take three to six months to achieve. Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time.