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Male Breast Reduction
This is one of the most common male surgeries. It allows for the correction of an excess of male breast tissue, which can be due to glandular problems, fat or a mixture of the two.
The most common questions about this surgery are:
1)
· Q: DOES MALE BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY (GYNECOMASTY) LEAVE SCARS?
· A: Thankfully this surgery allows us to hide the scar very well, disguised (in a “U” shape below the nipple), to better understand the scar development, let’s discuss the diverse stages of scar healing.
a- SHORT TERM: This period is the first month, at this stage it will barely show. Only a few patients have shown a slight reaction to the stitches or curative.
b- MEDIUM TERM: This is from the second month until a year. During this period there will be a natural thickening of the scar tissue, as well as in the color, going from “red to brown” which will slowly lighten.
c- LONG TERM: This is from 12 months to 18 months. In this period the scar begins to get lighter and nearer its final tone. Only at this stage can the final results be evaluated.
2)
· Q:I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME PATIENTS HAVE VERY VISABLE SCARRING, WHY IS THIS?
· A: Some patients have a tendency to have keloid scars or hypertrophic scars. This tendency though can usually be diagnosed during the first consultation. People with very fair skin are the least likely to suffer from this.
3)
· Q: CAN HYPERTROPHIC SCARS BE CORRECTED?
· A: There are many ways of making ‘ugly’ scars look better, at the right time. This shouldn’t be confused however with the ‘medium term scarring’, but as scar tissue complication.
4)
· Q: HOW IS THE SURGERY DONE?
· A: Gynecomasty can be glandular (only an excess of mammary gland), fat (just an excess of fat) or a mixture of the two. During the surgery we take out the excess of fat and gland, sometimes using liposuction as well, to level out the male breast area to the level of the thorax. .
5)
· Q: WHEN WILL I SEE THE FINAL RESULT?
· A: Only after the third month.
6)
· Q: WILL IT HURT AFTER THE SURGERY?
· A: Generally not, if you obey the doctors’ instructions, mainly about not exerting yourself too much in during the first few days.
7)
· Q: IS THE OPERATION DANGEROUS?
· A: This surgery is no more dangerous than let’s say, traveling by plane, car or crossing a busy road. There are rarely serious complications. Bruising is very common after the surgery, this is due to the fact that the detached area is very large.
8)
· Q: WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHETIA IS USED?
· A: Local, with assisted sedation.
9)
· Q: HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY LAST?
· A: Around 1 or 2 hours.
10)
· Q: FOR HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO STAY IN HOSPITAL?
· A: Generally 12 hours.
11)
· Q: ARE CURATIVES USED?
· A: Yes The curatives are changed after 24 hours and a girdle is used afterwards for 30 days.
12)
· Q: WHEN ARE THE STITCHES TAKEN OUT?
· A: After a week to 10 days.
13)
· Q: WHEN CAN I TAKE MY FIRST BATH?
· A: After 24 hours.
14)
· Q: WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO EXCERCISING?
· A: Usually after a month.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MALE BREAST SURGERY
a) RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE SURGERY
1) Let us know if you have a cold or are feeling indisposed at least 2 days before the surgery;
2) Go to the indicated hospital, having fasted for 8 hours, including water and obeying the previously booked time.
3) Avoid both alcoholic drinks and heavy foods on the eve of the surgery.
4) Don’t book any social, domestic or academic activities, so that you will be unavailable for around 7 days
b) RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER SURGERY
1) Don’t over exert yourself for the first couple of weeks.
2) Don’t use your arms too much.
3) Don’t go in the sun for 3 months.
4) Follow the doctors’ orders
5) Normal diet.
6) Start the lymphatic drainages at the right time. |
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