Gynecomastia Surgery in Corpus Christi
Gynecomastia / Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is a common medical condition where men develop oversized breasts. The condition has multiple causes, from hormones to medication use to anabolic steroid abuse.
To treat gynecomastia, plastic surgeons like Dr. Vijay and Dr. Cassidy offer gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction). Gynecomastia surgery is a surgical operation that removes excess fat and glandular tissue from the chest, reducing the size of male breasts.
Table of Contents
Am I a Candidate For Gynecomastia Surgery?
What Are the Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery?
How Is Male Breast Reduction Performed?
Liposuction-Based Gynecomastia Surgery
Excision-Based Gynecomastia Surgery
Combination Gynecomastia Surgery
What Is Recovery Like After Gynecomastia Surgery?
General Recovery Instructions
Activity Restrictions During Recovery
Incision Care
What Are the Risks of Male Breast Reduction?
What Are the Results of Gynecomastia Surgery?
Want to Learn More About Gynecomastia Surgery?
Am I a Candidate For Gynecomastia Surgery?
Many men have oversized breasts. For some men, this condition leads to emotional and physical insecurities that reduce their quality of life. An example may include avoiding locations where they would be expected to go shirtless (such as the beach).
If you have oversized breasts and feel that your life would improve if they were smaller, you are a potential candidate for gynecomastia surgery.
Ideal candidates for gynecomastia surgery are in good health and near their ideal weight. Prospective patients should inform their surgeon if they take any medications or supplements that could impact the surgery or recovery process. Likewise, be sure to inform your surgeon if you are a frequent smoker or on anabolic steroids.
What Are the Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery?
Men with oversized male breasts can achieve a tightened and toned chest that looks more masculine and healthier. This can increase a patient’s self-confidence and quality-of-life.
How Is Male Breast Reduction Performed?
Different techniques are used during gynecomastia surgery. Your surgeon will determine which technique will best apply to your specific type of gynecomastia.
Liposuction-Based Gynecomastia Surgery
Liposuction-based gynecomastia surgery is used when fat deposits or other fatty tissues make up the excess. This is relatively common among men who are overweight or who have lost weight. In these cases, your surgeon will use a localized liposuction procedure to target and remove the excess breast fat.
Excision-Based Gynecomastia Surgery
The excision-based technique is used when a patient’s oversized breasts are a result of overdeveloped glandular tissue. This can happen due to several factors, including steroid or medication use, hormonal imbalances, diet, and more. In these cases, your surgeon will make an incision (in a location that will leave minimal scarring) and remove the excess tissues. Skin can also be tightened if necessary.
Combination Gynecomastia Surgery
For many patients, oversized male breasts include both excess fat deposits and excess glandular tissue. In these cases, a combination of liposuction and excision-based techniques are used to ensure that the patient’s chest is restored to its ideal masculine appearance.
Why Choose Dr. Vijay
Dr. Vijay Bindingnavele is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been practicing in Corpus Christi, Texas for the past 10 years. Dr. Vijay, as he is commonly and affectionately known, is very approachable, and truly enjoys plastic surgery and interacting with his patients. Dr. Vijay is very unique in the sense of his great customer care, service and experience. He approaches each client as an individual and takes the time to thoroughly understand their needs and desired results.
What Is Recovery Like After Gynecomastia Surgery?
Following your surgery, you will need someone to drive you home and care for you for 1 to 2 days. This is necessary due to the aftereffects of general anesthesia and the strain a surgical procedure places on your body.
General Recovery Instructions
- Get plenty of rest and increase your fluid intake.
- Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more ripe fruit to your diet. Prunes and prune juice work well for most.
- Take pain medications as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Refrain from drinking alcohol for three weeks following surgery, even when no longer taking pain medications, as alcohol causes fluid retention.
- If you regularly take vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
- Do not smoke or consume nicotine, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
Most patients will be able to return to work within 5 to 14 days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 2 weeks but ideally for 4 weeks. Drains may be placed until the chest reaches its final appearance, about 6 weeks after surgery.
Activity Restrictions During Recovery
- Start walking as soon as possible with assistance, preferably the day of the surgery. This helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
- Walk 300 feet three times per day with assistance starting the day after surgery.
- Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
- Do not drive until you have full range of motion with your arms.
- Refrain from vigorous activity for two weeks.
- Social and employment activities can be resumed in 10 to 14 days.
- Sexual activity can be resumed in 2 weeks unless otherwise specified by Dr. Bindingnavele.
As per our usual recommendations, patients can shower 2 days after surgery.
Incision Care
- You may shower 48 hours after surgery.
- Keep steri-strips on, and replace them if they come off.
- Keep incisions clean and inspect them for signs of infection daily.
- Do not soak your incisions with water for 2 weeks after surgery.
- Leave the dressing on for the first 72 hours following surgery.
- Wear compression garments continuously for 6 weeks unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Bindingnavele.
- Refrain from sleeping on your stomach for 3 weeks.
What Are the Risks of Male Breast Reduction?
As with any surgical procedure, there will be some side effects and some unavoidable risks. Here is what to expect during your recovery:
- Minimal to moderate postoperative pain (depending on the extensiveness of the procedure)
- Some drainage onto the steri-strips covering the incisions.
- You are likely to feel tired for a few days.
- Maximum discomfort will occur in the first few days after surgery.
- You may experience some numbness around the nipples and operative area.
- You may have some loss of sensation in the nipples.
- You may experience temporary soreness, tightness, swelling, or bruising, as well as some discomfort in the incision area.
For some patients, complications can arise during the recovery process. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact our office to schedule a follow-up appointment.
When to Call
- If you have increased swelling or bruising.
- If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
- If you have increased redness along the incision.
- If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
- If you have any side effects such as rash, nausea, headache, or vomiting.
- If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
- If you have yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
- If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
- If you have a loss of feeling or motion
What Are the Results of Gynecomastia Surgery?
Initial male breast reduction results will be visible within 2 weeks as postoperative swelling subsides. Final results may take 3 to 6 months to develop. You can expect a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest contour.
As with any surgical procedure, gynecomastia surgery will result in scarring. Your surgeon will do their best to keep these scars small and discreet, but there will likely be some visible scarring. All surgical scars will fade over time, especially with proper care.
Interested in Learning More About Gynecomastia Surgery in Corpus Christi?
Our team of highly experienced medical professionals will be happy to answer any questions you have about gynecomastia surgery. They will also help you schedule a consultation with Dr. Vijay or Dr. Cassidy. If you are in the Corpus Christi or Kingsville, TX area and are interested in learning more about gynecomastia surgery, please call us at (361) 888-7417 or contact us online.