The average gynecomastia treatment will take between one and six hours, depending on the type and cause of the condition. The modality used to treat the condition will also affect the treatment. The number of procedures performed must be taken into account to provide an accurate assessment of the treatment’s time.
Dr. Soler has years of experience at Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL correcting male breasts using several modalities. Here’s what you need to know going into the procedure.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is an incredibly common medical condition characterized by overdevelopment of male breast tissue. This condition results in physical, mental and emotional discomfort, often impacting an individual’s confidence and self-esteem.
While gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia both cause an enlarged chest, they differ in their underlying causes. Gynecomastia is caused by the growth of breast tissue due to hormonal imbalances, while pseudogynecomastia is an enlargement of the chest due to excess fat.
There are three types of gynecomastia, known as florid, fibrous and intermediate. We will discuss your exact condition during your initial evaluation, and the only way to know which you have is to come in for a consultation.
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Dr. Pedro M. Soler specializes in gynecomastia surgery to help you achieve a smoother, more masculine chest. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward renewed confidence!
Florid
The first variation of this condition is known as the florid variation and is usually seen within the first four months of the condition developing. It is characterized by an increase in vascularity and ductal tissue. In other words, you can clearly see the veins in your chest at all times, and your chest looks softer and more feminine.
If you have this type of condition, you may feel comfortable taking off your shirt in front of friends and family. However, your breast tissue may feel uncomfortable when you run and jump while playing sports.
Fibrous
Fibrous gynecomastia is usually identified between months four and 12 of the initial development. It is characterized by a few ducts and an increase in stromal fibrosis. If you have this form of the condition, you will probably feel uncomfortable taking off your shirt in front of others.
You may also start to wear compression shirts under larger shirts to hide your developing breast tissue. At this stage of the condition, you might wear two compression garments over your chest to bind your breast tissue and prevent it from bouncing when you run and jump.
Intermediate
At around the 12-month mark, intermediate gynecomastia presents itself and can be identified by how far it has transitioned from florid to fibrous. You may not feel comfortable taking off your shirt in front of other people, including those you are closest with. You may drop out of team sports you once enjoyed because your breast tissue hurts when you run.
Gynecomastia Treatment Options
Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery offers nonsurgical or surgical treatments to excise the excess male breast tissue. Depending on your specific situation, our experts will help you find the appropriate correction method for your needs.
Nonsurgical Treatments
You can treat gynecomastia with nonsurgical approaches, such as lifestyle changes and medications. Nonsurgical treatments are primarily focused on addressing underlying medical conditions to eliminate gynecomastia. Although keep in mind that nonsurgical treatments are generalized and won’t necessarily target a certain area.
Specifically, lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, can help treat gynecomastia through weight loss. Medications and hormone therapy can address hormonal imbalances.
Surgical Treatments
Surgical treatments offer more targeted, cosmetic results. Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery offers liposuction and excision options, or a combination of both:
- Liposuction: At Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL, Dr. Soler uses the most effective liposuction method to permanently remove a significant amount of fat cells from the targeted area with suction technology. Clients who require this treatment method usually also require liposuction on their sides, hips, waist or lower abdomen. Depending on the number of areas you need to have treated, your liposuction procedure may take anywhere from one to four hours.
- Excision: If your BMI is somewhere between 18.5 and 24.9 and you have the appearance of male breasts, excision is the right correction method for you. This method involves making small, discrete incisions that allow Dr. Soler to excise the excess male breast tissue. Depending on the extent of your procedure, it may last between one and two hours.
- Combination: If you have significant fatty tissue deposits and excess glandular tissue, a combination of excision and liposuction will be the appropriate correction method for you.
How Long Will the Recovery Process Take?
While everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect your entire recovery process to take roughly six weeks. If you have a desk job, you can return to work within five to seven days of your procedure. If you have a physically demanding job, you may not return to work within 10 to 14 days of your procedure.
The entire recovery process takes six weeks because it takes roughly that long for your skin to settle appropriately. Whether you are having excess glandular tissue or excess fat removed, your skin needs time to “snap” closer to your sleeker body.
What Should I Do During My Recovery Process?
Rest should be your top priority during the first 24 hours post-op. Whether you are put under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, you may feel drowsy. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to nap when you feel sleepy. We strongly recommend that you have someone stay with you to care for you and your household.
The day after your procedure, you should start taking regular walks between the rooms of your house. If you’re feeling well-rested, you can walk outside. However, if you’re still feeling tired, walk inside so you can sit down and rest whenever you need to. Other things to do during your recovery process include:
- Drink a gallon of water daily
- Sleep nine hours daily
- Eat 56 grams of protein daily
- Eat 8 grams of soluble fiber daily
- Eat 22 grams of insoluble fiber daily
- Take Arnica supplements four times daily
- Take acetaminophen
What Should I Avoid During My Recovery Process?
During your recovery process, avoid anything that can elevate your blood pressure. Besides tobacco products and alcohol, you should also avoid consuming over 3 mg of sodium daily, over 200 mg of caffeine daily and excessively spicy foods.
Furthermore, you should avoid vigorous exercise and excessive heat. For example, you should avoid sunbathing, tanning beds, dry saunas and steam rooms. Other things you should avoid during your recovery process include:
- Vitamin E supplements
- Vitamin K supplements
- NSAIDs
- MAOIs
- Garlic supplements
- Fish oil supplements
Maintaining Long-Term Results
The longevity of treatment results depends on several factors, including the cause of your condition and your lifestyle. In general, managing your underlying medical conditions — such as regular treatment for hormonal imbalances — can help avoid recurrence. Attending follow-up appointments with your surgeon and following care instructions can ensure proper healing and long-term results.
To determine if you are a good candidate for male breast reduction, liposuction or both, you must come in for an initial evaluation. During your initial evaluation, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Soler will determine which variation of your condition you are experiencing or if it is actually just an excess of fat and skin tissue.
From there, he will tailor a treatment plan that is most appropriate for achieving your goals. When identifying good candidates for male breast correction, he also considers a potential candidate’s physical and mental health.
To prepare for your initial consultation, make sure you feel comfortable talking about your medical history. Dr. Soler will review it with you in-depth. You should also be ready to tell him about all pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements you have taken within the past two weeks.
You may need to stop taking certain medications in the six weeks leading up to and following your procedure. Furthermore, you may need to speak to your primary care physician about taking alternative medications. Certain drugs can lead to an overdevelopment of male breast tissue. Finally, be prepared to articulate your aesthetic goals clearly.
If you do not have pseudogynecomastia, your health insurance provider will probably cover the entire cost of your procedure. However, how much of the costs will be covered by your provider depends on your plan, your history of conservative treatments and whether you have met your deductible for the year.
If you have any questions about financing options, please feel free to contact our friendly, helpful office.
Learn More About Male Breast Correction Today
If you’re sick and tired of feeling self-conscious about your chest, you need gynecomastia treatment. If your case is mild to moderate in nature, your treatment will only take around an hour. If you have a moderate-to-severe case and you need several procedures to correct your male breasts, your treatment may take between two and six hours.
Regardless of the extent of correction you need, Dr. Soler will ensure you are satisfied with the final results. To schedule an initial consultation with the premier board-certified plastic surgeon in Southwest Florida, contact Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL at (813) 872-9560 today or book an appointment online.
