Gynaecomastia surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes between 1 to 2 hours.
If excess glandular tissue is the cause, surgery will be performed to excise (cut out) the central part of the glandular breast tissue. It's not a straight forward technique as it can often fail to create a refined result. It also has an added risk of causing a depression in the central part of the chest and it can sometimes cause excess bleeding. A better technique is to use it along with liposuction. This techique involves sucking out the tissue through a small tube (inserted via a 3-4mm incision) over the whole chest giving better results. Under these circumstances less gland resection is needed and the results are more refined with fewer complications.
However, if there is predominantly a diffuse fatty enlargement of the breast then using liposuction on its own will often work best.
Vaser® liposuction surgery for gynaecomastia srurgery
Mr Chana is highly skilled in using a new procedure called VASER® Liposuction for Gynaecomastia. It liquefies the fat prior to extraction which creates a smooth extraction process and minimises adverse side-effects. VASER® makes use of a combination of ultrasound energy and gentle suction to provide a relatively comfortable procedure with short healing times.
The procedure involves the insertion of an ultrasound probe into the tissues of the breast through a small incision. The probe emits a very localised energy which dissolves the fat without causing damage to other important structures such as the blood vessels and nerves. The fat is then gently removed with a suction tube. The technique creates much tissue trauma so that recovery times are enhanced. There is less bruising and pain and there are fewer complications.
Occasionally, even with VASER®, the central part of the breast has such dense glandular tissue that it cannot be removed and needs to be done so surgically. But because all the surrounding fat has been completely removed by the VASER®, the surgery is a lot easier.
There is a great deal of misleading advertising around Gynaecomastia and many men are falling for high street clinics offering ‘minimally invasive VASER®’ treatments to solve their conditions. As a result they are discovering that these treatments don't always work and their condition actually needs much more specialist help. As one of the UK's leading practitioners in VASER® Liposuction, Mr Chana has seen a large increase in patients coming to him for corrective procedures following visits to such clinics. In fact so widespread is the problem that part of his practice is now solely focused on secondary corrective surgery.
You can watch the video of one of Mr Chana's patients undergoing a Gynaecomastia procedure which was shown on Sky by clicking the link below.
The gynaecomastia surgery correction proecdure
This corrective procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes between 1 to 2 hours. Patients are admitted as on a day case basis.
A number of methods are available for Gynaecomastia correction and sometimes a combination is used. With the advancement of surgical techniques and liposuction equipment, it is possible to break up and draw off excess fat and some breast tissue through a fine cannula. Mr Chana uses Vaser® Liposuction.
The breast is approached through a tiny incision hidden towards the armpit or in the darker skin around the nipple and Vaser® Liposuction liquefies the fat prior to extraction which creates a smooth process and minimises adverse side-effects. It makes use of a combination of ultrasound energy and gentle suction to provide a relatively comfortable procedure with short healing times.
If the breast tissue is severe and there is also a problem with excess skin, there may need to be some skin removal in order to provide an adequate chest reduction. In mild to moderate cases of skin excess, the liposuction and gland removal will be performed first and then left alone to wait and see how much skin shrinkage occurs over a six month period. If the skin does not retract a secondary removal of skin may be performed at a later date. This involves excising a donut of skin around the nipple and a scar will be left.
In very severe cases of breast development, a female breast reduction procedure may be necessary with a much greater chance of extensive scarring.
Recovery after gynaecomastia surgery
After surgery, you should avoid bending over or doing vigorous activity for a few days to reduce the swelling. It is also important to sleep in a elevated position at night to further help reduce the swelling. Bruising and discomfort are minimized with Vaser® Liposuction. Bruising may occur, but it should disappear in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Recovery is usually within a couple of weeks, but vigorous exercise should be avoided for at least a month.
Immediately after surgery, a new, flatter contour to the chest will be apparent, but it can often take a few months for the tissue to fully settle and for the final result to be seen.
The risks associated with gynaecomastia surgery
Serious complications following Gynaecomastia surgery are rare. Infection and bleeding can be risks as with any surgical procedure, but in most cases can easily be treated with antibiotics.
Delayed wound healing is a risk in smokers and therefore it is important to stop smoking as early as you can prior to surgery.
In rare cases, it is possible for an indentation to develop in the nipple area but this can be corrected with secondary surgery. There is occassionally a risk of loose skin, which if likely, Mr Chana will discuss with you during your initial consultation. A secondary skin excision may be needed six months after the first procedure.
Alteration in nipple sensation may occur with some patients.
Mr Chana will provide you with a comprehensive information leaflet on Gynaecomastia following your consultation.
