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Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce the size of enlarged male breasts, consequently creating a more masculine-looking chest contour. Scarless gynecomastia is a particularly appealing variant of this surgery, as it is minimally invasive, requiring only minuscule incisions that result in nearly undetectable scarring post-procedure.
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At Centre for Surgery, we are a specialist plastic surgery clinic based in London, UK. Our experienced surgeons have been trained in the innovative, scarless gynecomastia technique, a method initially developed by a renowned Plastic Surgeon in North America. This advanced technique focuses on the removal of excess breast tissue and reshaping the male chest, all without the need for the traditional, larger incisions associated with standard gynecomastia surgery. As a result, the scars are practically imperceptible, providing a smoother aesthetic outcome.
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This approach is not only low-risk but also consistently produces high satisfaction rates due to its superior aesthetic results. In the following sections, we will delve into the numerous benefits of scarless gynecomastia surgery and shed light on how our skilled surgeons carry out this unique procedure.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia, also known as “man boobs”, is a prevalent condition characterised by the enlargement and swelling of male breast tissue. This condition can manifest in either one or both breasts.
Gynecomastia is distinguished by excessive growth of breast tissue in males, resulting in a pronounced nipple and surrounding area rather than a flat contour against the chest. The degree of tissue excess varies significantly among individuals; while some men may exhibit a minor surplus of breast tissue around the nipples, others may have notably prominent breasts.
The presence of gynecomastia can induce a more feminine appearance of the male chest. This can potentially lead to feelings of discomfort or embarrassment, significantly impacting a man’s self-confidence and overall well-being.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia arises due to an imbalance in the levels of certain sex hormones, namely oestrogens and androgens, crucial for sexual and reproductive development. Although both sexes generate these hormones, females tend to have higher oestrogen levels, while males produce more androgens.
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In a typical male body, although a certain amount of oestrogen is produced, the predominance of androgens usually inhibits excessive breast tissue growth stimulated by oestrogen. When this delicate balance is disrupted, and oestrogen outweighs androgen levels, gynecomastia can occur. This hormonal imbalance triggers the overgrowth of breast tissue, leading to swelling and enlargement of the male breasts.
Several factors can contribute to such a hormonal imbalance, inducing gynecomastia. These include:
- Obesity: Overweight individuals often have elevated oestrogen levels.
- Puberty: This is a time of hormonal fluctuation, which usually stabilises as boys mature, resolving any transient gynecomastia.
- Ageing: Androgen production tends to decrease with advancing age.
- Certain medications: Some drugs, such as anti-ulcer drugs, heart medications, anabolic steroids, and even cannabis, can disrupt hormonal balance.
- Cirrhosis: Liver disease can interfere with hormone regulation.
- Kidney disease: Renal conditions can disrupt the body’s hormone balance.
- Idiopathic gynecomastia: In some cases, the cause of gynecomastia remains unknown.
For some individuals, lifestyle changes like weight loss or medication that adjusts hormone levels can reduce gynecomastia. However, these solutions are not universally effective. For many men, gynecomastia surgery represents the most efficient treatment option for addressing overdeveloped or enlarged breasts.
What Is Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery?
Scarless gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, is a cosmetic procedure that primarily aims at eliminating excess fat and glandular tissue from oversized male breasts.
Traditional gynecomastia surgery often involves the creation of extensive incisions to remove the breast tissues, and subsequent stitching, resulting in discernible scars on the chest post-procedure.
Contrarily, scarless gynecomastia surgery is a minimally invasive approach, necessitating only minimal incisions (approximately 4mm in length). This markedly reduces scarring and facilitates a quicker recovery period.
At Centre for Surgery, our proficient surgeons employ the “pull-through technique” when performing scarless gynecomastia surgery, encompassing the following steps:
- Utilising Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL) for the extraction of fatty breast tissue.
- Implementing the Pull-Through Technique for the removal of fibroglandular breast tissue.
- Harnessing Power-Assisted Liposuction once more for the purpose of contouring and reshaping the chest tissue.
By adopting this method, the surgeon is able to proficiently remove the surplus breast tissue around the nipple-areola complex, address other chest areas harbouring excess fat and glandular tissue, and simultaneously sculpt and contour the chest to enhance its aesthetic appearance.
Benefits of the Scarless Technique for Gynecomastia Surgery
The Scarless Technique for gynecomastia surgery offers numerous advantages to patients. These include:
- Minimally invasive: The procedure is less intrusive, meaning a quicker recovery period.
- Effective reduction: It significantly decreases the size of enlarged male breasts.
- Nipple-areola flattening: This technique effectively flattens the nipple-areola complex.
- No skin removal: Unlike traditional methods, this approach does not necessitate the removal of chest skin.
- Nearly invisible scarring: Since the incisions made are akin to tiny puncture wounds, the resulting scars under each breast are barely discernible.
- Natural contouring: The method leads to a naturally contoured, more masculine chest.
- No need for drains: Postoperative drains are not required with this procedure.
- Lower complication rate: The Scarless Technique has a lower risk of complications compared to traditional methods.
Am I Suitable for Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery?
The ideal candidate for scarless gynecomastia surgery should fulfil the following conditions:
- Overall Health: You’re generally in good health without any medical issues that might interfere with receiving anaesthesia, having liposuction, or undergoing surgery.
- Smoking: You’re either a non-smoker, or if you do smoke, you’ve abstained from smoking at least a fortnight before the surgery.
- Age: You should be at least 18 years old.
- Weight: You should maintain a healthy and stable weight.
Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery using the Pull Through Technique – Step by Step
Before commencing the surgery, your surgeon will demarcate your chest while you’re standing, indicating the incision site.
Anaesthesia will be administered for your comfort and to ensure a pain-free procedure. Following anaesthesia, your surgeon will execute the scarless gynecomastia surgery using the Pull through Technique as follows:
Initially, the surgeon creates a small puncture wound, approximately 4 mm long, underneath the breast at the inframammary crease. The next step involves injecting a tumescent solution into the breast, which serves to numb the area, cleanse bacteria, and minimise bleeding. To protect the surrounding skin from injury due to friction, a small skin protector is stitched to the incision. Power-Assisted Liposuction is performed next. A thin, hollow tube is inserted through the incision and a power-assisted liposuction device is used to extract surplus fat from the breast. This includes fat beneath the nipple-areola complex and ensures that the skin conforms to the new chest shape post-surgery. After this stage, the skin protector is removed.
Then comes the Pull-Through Technique. The surgeon inserts surgical forceps by pinching the skin around the same incision used for liposuction. Maintaining the pinch, the forceps are used to grasp the excess tissue within the breast and a back-and-forth motion is utilised to dislodge the breast tissue and remove it. Subsequently, another round of Power-Assisted Liposuction is performed to contour the chest and blend the nipple-areola complex with the rest of the breast tissue. This final contouring is critical to remove any additional fatty breast tissue that might have been dislodged during the pull-through technique, thereby ensuring a flat, uniform appearance of the chest.
Lastly, the incision is closed using two sutures. Your wounds will be dressed with dry gauze by the nursing team and your chest will be wrapped in a compression garment. Once the anaesthesia subsides, you’ll be moved to our dedicated recovery room. Patients are typically allowed to return home for recovery on the same day as their surgery.
Recovery after scarless gynecomastia surgery – what to expect
Recovery after scarless gynecomastia surgery is typically straightforward due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. Here’s what you can expect during the recovery period:
- Immediate Post-Surgery: Following surgery, you will rest in the recovery room until the effects of anaesthesia have diminished. You will be able to go home the same day of your surgery but will need someone to drive you due to the effects of the anaesthesia.
- At Home: Once at home, you should rest and avoid any strenuous activities for the first few days. Some swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common, but these should decrease over the next few days.
- Dressing and Compression Garments: Your chest will be covered with gauze and wrapped with a compression garment to help reduce swelling and support your new chest contour. You should wear this garment as directed by your surgeon, typically for several weeks.
- Pain Management: Any discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication as directed by your surgeon. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions on medication use.
- Activity Levels: You will be encouraged to walk around as soon as you feel able to help promote circulation and prevent blood clots. However, rigorous activities, heavy lifting, and any exercise that strains the chest should be avoided for about 4-6 weeks, or as advised by your surgeon.
- Follow-up Appointments: You will have follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress and remove any sutures if necessary.
- Final Results: The results of your surgery will become more apparent as the swelling decreases over the weeks following the procedure. Most patients can see their final results after about 3-6 months.
Remember, recovery can vary from person to person, and your surgeon will provide you with personalised aftercare instructions. Always follow these guidelines closely and contact your surgeon if you have any concerns during your recovery.
RELATED: What Do Gynecomastia Scars Look Like?
Risks and Complications of the pull-through technique for Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery
While the pull-through technique for scarless gynecomastia surgery is considered safe and effective, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications. These include:
- Bleeding: Although rare, there is a risk of bleeding during or after the surgery.
- Infection: Proper care and hygiene of the surgical site are critical in preventing infection. If you notice increased redness, warmth, swelling, or pus, you should immediately notify your plastic surgeon as these may be signs of infection.
- Scarring: Although the technique is referred to as “scarless,” there will be a tiny scar at the incision site. However, the incision is very small, and the scar is often barely noticeable and fades over time.
- Asymmetry: There’s a chance that the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical after surgery, although this is rare with skilled surgeons.
- Altered Sensation: Some patients may experience changes in nipple or breast sensation. This is usually temporary, but in rare cases, it could be permanent.
- Contour Irregularities: There might be some minor contour irregularities or unevenness, which typically improve over time as swelling subsides.
- Adverse Reaction to Anaesthesia: Some patients may have an adverse reaction to the anaesthesia used during the procedure, including allergic reactions or other side effects.
- Need for Revision Surgery: In some cases, further surgery may be required to correct any complications or to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
RELATED: Crater Deformity After Gynecomastia
Can You Combine Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery With Other Procedures?
At Centre for Surgery in London, we provide an extensive range of surgical procedures that you may opt to combine with your scarless gynecomastia surgery. Some of the popular adjunctive surgeries include male abdominoplasty – commonly known as tummy tuck, particularly beneficial for men who have undergone substantial weight loss, and male liposuction targeting various areas of the male body.
Pairing procedures offer a plethora of benefits. Firstly, it is cost-effective as you will be paying for a single surgical session rather than multiple ones. Secondly, it is time-efficient as you’ll only have to schedule and recover from one surgery rather than several.
Besides the time and financial benefits, there is a significant advantage in terms of reducing exposure to potential risks. By undergoing a single surgical session, you minimise your exposure to anaesthesia and inherently reduce the risk of any associated complications. Thus, you will only have to navigate through one recovery period, minimising the impact on your day-to-day life.
Always remember that the decision to combine procedures should not be made lightly. You must discuss your options thoroughly with your surgeon at the Centre for Surgery, who can guide you through the potential benefits and risks associated with your individual circumstances.
How Much Does A Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery Cost Near Me?
The cost for scarless gynecomastia surgery may vary and is influenced by several aspects, such as:
- Consultation charges
- Fees for the surgical facility
- Duration of the surgical procedure
- The complexity of the surgery and the extent of breast reduction necessary
- Whether you choose to combine gynecomastia surgery with other procedures
- Post-operative care requirements
- Surgeon’s fees, which may differ from one professional to another
- Anaesthesia fees, which vary based on whether local or general anaesthesia is used
During your consultation at the Centre for Surgery, our surgical team will give you a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with your gynecomastia surgery, and discuss potential financing options. Please bear in mind that each case is unique, so the total cost can only be determined once a full assessment has been made during your consultation.
Is Scarless Gynecomastia Surgery Worth It?
Based on patient feedback and reviews on Realself, over 90% of men in the UK who underwent gynecomastia surgery believe that the procedure was worth the investment in terms of finances, time and the recovery process.
Gynecomastia surgery, specifically the scarless variant, has been reported to significantly enhance the contours of the male chest, carrying minimal risks. Furthermore, the outcomes are permanent, provided you maintain a stable body weight.
The surgery has been credited with boosting self-confidence in men, and is often rated highly in terms of patient satisfaction.
Scarless gynecomastia surgery, being minimally invasive, results in only a virtually unnoticeable scar beneath each breast. It effectively corrects the condition of enlarged male breasts, resulting in a more traditionally masculine chest appearance.
The pull-through technique, used in gynecomastia surgery, has a low rate of complications. According to one study, this method was successfully employed in over 90 cases of gynecomastia with minimal complications. The rare complications that did occur, such as seromas, were effectively treated with needle aspiration in a clinical setting.
Importantly, none of the patients experienced undesirable chest contour or nipple deformities, nor was there a need for any revision surgery.
Patients universally expressed extreme satisfaction with the results of their scarless gynecomastia surgery using the pull-through technique, and were very pleased with their overall aesthetic appearance post-surgery.
To explore your options for addressing enlarged male breasts, we recommend booking a consultation at the Centre for Surgery. Our experts can provide detailed information and guide you on the most suitable path for you.
FAQs about Scarless Gynecomastia
Can gynecomastia surgery result in a more masculine-looking chest?
Indeed, gynecomastia surgery is instrumental in removing surplus fat and tissue from the male breasts, which in turn imparts a flatter and more typically masculine contour to the chest. The removal of the excess fat and tissue makes the underlying chest muscles more pronounced. Moreover, when utilising the scarless gynecomastia approach using the “pull-through” technique, additional power-assisted liposuction is conducted to contour and further define the chest area.
Is there a possibility of feeling numb in the chest area after scarless gynecomastia surgery?
It is possible that post scarless gynecomastia surgery, patients may experience a sensation of numbness or tingling in the chest region. However, owing to the minimally invasive nature of this specific procedure, the likelihood of experiencing such sensations post scarless male breast reduction is lower compared to conventional gynecomastia surgery.
Does scarless gynecomastia surgery contribute to skin tightening?
While scarless gynecomastia is primarily designed to achieve a flatter, more masculine chest, it does not explicitly involve the removal or tightening of skin. Nonetheless, our expert surgeons proficiently apply the “pull-through” technique. This technique not only removes excess tissue but also prompts the skin to naturally conform to the new, reduced chest shape post-surgery.
Is it possible to get rid of gynecomastia without undergoing surgery?
Gynecomastia caused due to hormonal imbalances or obesity can potentially be mitigated through hormone therapy or weight loss strategies. However, these methods do not guarantee success and may not be effective in all cases. Surgical intervention, specifically male reduction surgery, remains the most effective solution for correcting gynecomastia.
Why Choose Centre for Surgery?
Choosing Centre for Surgery for your gynecomastia treatment or any other cosmetic procedure offers numerous advantages:
- Highly Specialised Surgeons: Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced in scarless gynecomastia surgery and other cosmetic procedures. They are dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care to all our patients.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Centre for Surgery utilises cutting-edge technology and operates in modern, well-equipped facilities. This ensures that we provide the highest quality treatment and patient safety.
- Comprehensive Care: We believe in providing a comprehensive service to our patients. From the initial consultation through to aftercare, our team is there every step of the way to support and guide you through the process.
- Patient Satisfaction: We place patient satisfaction at the forefront of everything we do. Our team is committed to ensuring that every patient feels comfortable, informed, and satisfied with the outcome of their treatment.
- Innovative Techniques: We constantly strive to innovate in our field. Our surgeons are trained in the latest techniques, including the minimally invasive “pull-through” technique for gynecomastia surgery, which results in less downtime and minimal scarring.
- Transparent Pricing: We believe in transparency when it comes to costs. After your consultation, we provide a comprehensive estimate of the total cost of your treatment, with no hidden fees.
Choosing Centre for Surgery means choosing a clinic dedicated to offering the highest quality of care and the best possible results. We understand that choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery is a significant decision, and we are committed to making the journey as smooth and positive as possible for each patient.
