Am I a Candidate for Surgery?

Any male who is in otherwise good health but has enlarged breast tissue causing him embarrassment is a good candidate for this surgery. If your breast enlargement is caused by a medical condition, this condition should be treated first before undergoing the surgery.

When gynecomastia develops in older males, it is usually caused by another condition, such as liver or lung cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, overactive thyroid, or by hormone problems, such as cancer of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, or testicles. Alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin use also may cause gynecomastia.

Use of certain medicines may also cause gynecomastia, including:

• Steroids
• Medicines used to treat ulcers (such as cimetidine)
• Medicines used to treat epilepsy (such as phenytoin Dilantin])
• Digitalis and other heart medicines
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Antiandrogen drugs (such as flutamide, cyproterone, and spironolactone)
• Antianxiety and antidepressant medicines (such as diazepam Valium] and tricyclic antidepressants)
• Products containing tea tree oil or lavender oil

Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia Surgery)

Gynecomastia reduction is a procedure to reduce and excise excess breast and fat tissue from male breasts. At Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute, Dr. Jugenburg specializes in a minimal scarring technique that leaves only an inconspicuous scar, unlike the traditional techniques which required an incision around the nipple. This is a technique developed to improve on the existing surgery

• Smaller, hidden scars
• Quicker recovery
• Lower risk of bleeding after surgery
• Better cosmetic appearance

Traditional Gynecomastia Surgery

The traditional technique for gynecomastia uses a cut around the areola to open up the skin and remove the underlying breast gland tissues. This procedure is designed to remove breast gland mostly, and a little bit of fat. Although the procedure is not complex and generally very safe, after the surgery you have to avoid exercise and physical strain for two weeks in order to minimize the risk of developing bleeding in the surgical site and to allow for the skin to heal nicely.

Gynecomastia Surgery Outcomes

You can expect a significant reduction in the volume of your breast. If you had significantly enlarged breasts, you may be left with excess skin that will not shrink with time and will require excision.
Following surgery you will experience discomfort and tightness around your chest which will resolve over time. You may also find that your chest skin and nipples are numb. This usually resolves over time.