In Male Breast Reduction Surgery for Gynecomastia, do you lose Nipple Sensation?

No, you do not lose nipple sensation with gynecomastia surgery, also called man-boob surgery. However, you will experience temporary numbness due to the surgery procedure. Not only does sensation return, but the contraction of the areola and nipple (nipple-areola complex or NAC) responds to cold stimulation or touch in a typical fashion.

What men should know before getting gynecomastia surgery.

Gynecomastia surgery is a life-changing procedure for any male living with the stigma of “female-like breast on a man.” Before surgery, you must be comfortable with your decision and, hopefully, involve loved ones to help with the recovery. If you are a minor, your parents must be involved at every step. In addition, your parents and a plastic surgeon may want to include other medical disciplines.

Last but not least, selecting a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon. We will discuss this more later.

How frequent are gynecomastia (male breast reduction) operations?

You are not alone in this process. Male breast reduction gynecomastia surgery is the 6th most common male cosmetic surgery performed in 2020. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery Statistics, nearly 20,000 cases were reported in the United States conducted by board-certified plastic surgeons.

Many more surgical procedures are performed by non-board-certified plastic surgeons and are underreported. In addition, men do not discuss this procedure commonly and hide the excess breast tissue with cleverly crafted clothing.

Who among doctors is most capable of doing gynecomastia surgery?

A board-certified plastic surgeon is the most trained and qualified to perform male breast reduction plastic surgery. The extensive training as a general surgeon, first followed by plastic surgery, was a two or three-year fellowship. Go here to see if your plastic surgeon is board-certified.

Read more about what it means to be a board-certified plastic surgeon.

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Is anesthetic necessary for this procedure?

Yes, male breast reduction for gynecomastia requires anesthesia. Most procedures are performed under general anesthesia, but some surgeons use local anesthesia. Dr. Delgado performs general anesthesia for his patients. He wants the patients to be comfortable, and Dr. Delgado can do a masterful job. Forty percent are revision gynecomastia surgery from patients unhappy with their surgery performed elsewhere.

Some doctors perform man-boob reduction under local anesthesia and are capable. So, local anesthesia is acceptable.

What takes place before a gynecomastia operation?

Before your surgery, there are essential steps to follow:

  1. Initial Consultation with Dr. Delgado, which can be virtual or in person. If a virtual consult, then an in-person evaluation. You will receive an all-inclusive quote.
  2. Once your surgical appointment is made, a pre-operative appointment is made. Dr. Delgado will go over the surgical plan, take photos, and answer all questions. You will meet with Chelsey, our patient coordinator, who will review prescribed drugs such as pain medication, check the logistics of your surgery, and go over specific instructions in the healing process.
  3. The day before surgery, Dr. Delgado will call you to answer any questions. The board-certified anesthesiologist will discuss your medical history, what medication you can take, and when to stop eating or drinking.

How is a gynecomastia operation done?

The male reduction technique depends on the grade or severity of breast tissue and excess skin. The most common severity is grade 2, and gland excision with liposuction is the treatment of choice and the most frequently performed procedure for enlarged breasts.

How is breast gland tissue liposuction performed:

  1. Tumescent fluid is injected into the excess glandular tissue containing epinephrine, which causes blood vessel contraction and reduces bleeding.
  2. Liposuction is usually performed first to break up the tissue and remove excess fat around the breast tissue.
  3. An incision is made at the lower edge of the areola. The patient is sat up to 80-90 degrees to operate, observing the effects of gravity. The breast tissue is removed, and the remaining fatty tissue is blended.
  4. A suction drain is placed, the incision site is meticulously closed, and a compressing dressing is placed.

In the more extreme cases, grades 3 and 4 require excess skin surgical removal. Men who undergo massive weight loss or are overweight are often in this category. The skin excision procedure is called double-incision mastectomy with a free nipple graft. We will discuss the nipples sensation of this surgical technique below.

How long is the gynecomastia procedure?

The time required to remove excess breast tissue and fat depend on the gynecomastia grade and the surgical technique used.

  1. Standard gland excision and liposuction – 2 1/2 – 3 hours
  2. Pull-Through procedure 1 1/2 – 2
  3. Double incision mastectomy with free-nipples graft 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 hours

After gynecomastia surgery, when to I anticipate the results?

Results from male breast enlargement surgery are immediate. We often show patience in the recovery room and their chest as we examine for bleeding or hematoma. The results are realistic before the swelling sets in. The chest swelling will begin pretty soon after surgery. The final results will take 4-6 months for the last bit of swelling to resolve permanently.

How long does it take to recover from gynecomastia surgery?

Your recovery will be short and well-tolerated as follows.”

  1. Driving a car – 2-3 days
  2. Back to work – white collar in 5-7 days, but if virtual at home, 2-3 days. Blue-collar work in about two weeks so avoids lifting.
  3. Social activities – going out to eat, etc., 3-4 days after the drains are removed most comfortable. Normal activities can begin.
  4. Exercise – 4-6 weeks; lower body light exercise in 4 weeks and complete work-outs at six weeks, including the upper body.
  5. Direct sun exposure – 8-12 weeks, depending on how well the incisions heal and the ethnicity of the skin.
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What dangers or issues can arise after gynecomastia surgery?

There are risks and complications of male breast reduction gynecomastia surgery, like any surgery. Unfortunately, these are some of the most common a that most patients may experience.

  1. Excessive bleeding or hematoma is the most common thing Dr. Delgado sees. It occurs in five percent of gynecomastia surgery cases. Treatment is straightforward; return to the operating room for 30 minutes.
  2. Chest infection in the surgical area – These are rare cases and are easily treated.
  3. Under resection of the glandular breast tissue – Dr. Delgado’s male breasts reduction practice comprises a 40% revision rate from patients unhappy with their outcome from other doctors. These cases require revision surgery to remove the breast tissue.
  4. Over resection of breast tissue – This often causes crater deformity and the second most common gynecomastia revision surgery Dr. Delgado performs. Fat flaps or fat injections correct this.
  5. Contour irregularities –
  6. Wrong procedure performed – If there is moderate or severe skin excess and a lesser approach is completed, the result will be lax or sagging skin. This is the third most common complication Dr. Delgado sees.
  7. Others – Severe pain or shooting pains are uncommon,

What may I anticipate from scarring following a male breast reduction procedure?

Scar tissue is a normal part of the healing process. The skin and attached fat layer heal back to the muscle with scar tissue to close the dead space. This scar tissue comprises collagen, which undergoes a maturation process that takes a few months. Once the collagen is mature, it is soft, flexible, and feels normal. The small incisions around the areola heal very well, and 8-12 are nearly invisible.

In Male Breast Reduction Surgery for Gynecomastia, do you lose nipple sensation?

No, you do not lose the nipple sensation. However, the chest swelling after surgery will cause numbness in the nipple-areola complex (NAC) and most of the chest. The return of sensation usually returns to the chest first, and the nipples last. The best way to help the process is to listen to Dr. Delgado’s instructions to reduce swelling.

FAQ’s

Can gynecomastia-affected men develop breast cancer?

According to an NIH 2014 study conducted by Louise Brinton, Ph.D., and Michael B. Cook, men with gynecomastia have a ten-fold risk increase of developing male breast cancer. In addition, gynecomastia breast tissue that grows into male breast cancer usually occurs after 60 years of age.

World-recognized, leader in gynecomastia surgery.

Meet DR. DELGADO

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Delgado is an award-winning gynecomastia surgeon with 30+ years of experience treating some of the most complicated cases of male breast growth around the world. He is also the owner and operator of Gynecomastia.org, the largest gynecomastia forum in the world that has the goals of educating, supporting, and offering guidance to those men and families affected. Dr. Delgado is an expert in the field and donates his time toward both the treatment of gynecomastia and the advocacy of education in the surgical community.

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MIGUEL DELGADO, M.D.

Dr. Delgado, MD is a world-recognized plastic surgeon and specialist in the treatment of male breast enlargement, also called gynecomastia. He has developed new techniques and owns and operates gynecomastia.org, which has become the largest gynecomastia forum in the world. Dr. Delgado holds the two most coveted credentials; the certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgery.

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