Gynaecomastia Surgery in Melbourne

At our clinic in Melbourne, we provide options for male breast reduction to help address enlarged tissue in the chest, a condition known as gynaecomastia. This condition can affect patients of any age and is usually seen as a soft, non-cancerous growth beneath the nipple. It may appear on one or both sides of the chest.

Gynaecomastia can be linked to changes in the balance of hormones or may develop alongside weight gain. The approach to treatment depends on the extent of the condition. Some patients may need liposuction alone, while others may require the removal of glandular tissue or excess skin. In some cases, a combination of techniques is used.

Before proceeding with any surgical procedure, it's important to discuss your concerns with a qualified cosmetic doctor. They can explain what the treatment may involve, including recovery and outcomes, to help you decide whether it is suitable for your goals and health needs.

1. Excess Body Fat: Significant weight loss, such as from weight loss surgery, can lead to the development of gynaecomastia due to changes in body composition.
2. Medications: Certain medications that alter hormone levels can cause enlarged breasts in men. It is important for patients to inform their practitioner about any medications they are taking.
3. Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions such as kidney failure, obesity, tumours, chromosomal disorders, malnutrition, cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, and hypogonadism are linked to gynaecomastia.
4. Recreational Drug Use: Substance abuse, including recreational drugs, can lead to gynaecomastia as a side effect.
5. Alcohol Consumption: Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages can affect hormone levels and alter the fat-to-muscle ratio, increasing BMI and potentially leading to gynaecomastia.
6. Xeno-oestrogens: These are synthetic compounds that mimic oestrogen, found in some meat and dairy products, which can cause an increase in breast size in men.

Pseudogynaecomastia is a condition where the chest appears enlarged due to excess fat in the area, often seen in patients with higher body weight. This enlargement is not related to glandular breast tissue.

Gynaecomastia, on the other hand, involves the growth of glandular tissue beneath the nipple. This may feel like a firm disc or lump under the areola and can occur on one or both sides of the chest.

In some cases, the tissue may be more spread out and resemble the texture found in female breast tissue. A proper assessment is often needed to tell the difference and determine the most suitable approach to care.

Patients can reduce the likelihood of experiencing complications by taking some steps before their procedure.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages for 2 days before and 2 days after surgery - Alcohol increases inflammation, and drinking alcoholic beverages while taking pain medication can be dangerous. It can also result in complications, negatively affecting the body's healing ability.
• Discontinue smoking for at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery - Following this requirement is vital because smoking and using products that contain nicotine can inhibit the body's ability to heal.
• Stop taking certain medications, vitamins, and herbs ten days before and ten days after surgery - Certain medications can cause unnecessary bleeding or prevent the clotting process, including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen and blood thinners. Patients requiring medication ten days before surgery may use acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Vitamins and herbal supplements can also cause unnecessary problems during and after surgery; therefore, patients must stop taking these products ten days before and ten days after surgery.
• Prescription and doctor-recommended products - Patients taking medications (i.e., prescription or over-the-counter), vitamins, or herbs at the direction of their physician must continue taking these products until they speak with their doctor about modifications.

If you have any specific questions about male breast reduction in Melbourne, please feel free to get in touch with us

After male breast reduction surgery, patients receive compression garments. These garments must be worn continuously for at least 14 days. After these initial 14 days have passed, the patient can begin wearing the garment for 12 hours instead of 24. The patient can decide whether he wears it during the day or at night. Wearing it as directed is essential because disregarding this requirement can negatively affect the final results.

Patients who underwent liposuction or a combination of liposuction with the tissue excision method will also receive a binder. The patient wears this binder during the first week of recovery. This binder ensures that any remaining tumescent fluid drains from the patient's chest.

Every patient is unique, so recovery experiences vary. The timeline below provides a general overview of the recovery process:

Days 1, 2 and 3:

Following surgery, patients typically have bruising and experience discomfort with slight pain. Patients receive medication to help manage these symptoms. Resting during this stage of recovery is essential. To maintain adequate circulation in the lower extremities, patients should walk around periodically. While showering and bathing must be avoided during this time, it is okay to take a sponge bath.

7 Days Post-op:

Patients can return to work, perform light exercises, and shower.

14 Days After:

As long as patients refrain from putting pressure on their chests, they can return to their normal activities.

Weeks 3 and 4 of Recovery:

Inflammation has decreased significantly, allowing the discontinuation of the compression garment. Additionally, taking baths is now permitted.

6 Weeks After Surgery:

Patients can return to their exercise regimens and sleeping styles.

• Stay hydrated - Neglecting to drink enough water can result in complications.
• Get plenty of rest - The body heals the best during sleep.
• Avoid placing pressure on the chest - This is especially important during the first week of recovery. Patients must sleep on their backs, propping themselves up at a 45-degree angle.
• Follow the practitioner and anaesthetist's instructions about wearing post-surgical garments such as binders and compression garments - This helps reduce inflammation and prevent fluid from building up within the chest cavity.
• Good wound care is crucial - Until the practitioner removes the patient's wound coverings, the patient must keep his surgical wounds dry and covered with gauze.
• Use ice packs to reduce inflammation - Ice packs can help reduce inflammation, decreasing the patient's pain level. Patients must avoid placing the ice directly upon the skin to prevent freezer burns. Instead, patients should wrap these ice packs in a towel.
• Limit the amount of time spent in the sun - Exposing surgical incisions to UV light while they are still healing can lead to permanent, highly visible scars.
• Wear loose, comfortable and breathable tops - Choosing these tops allows the incisions to breathe. Moreover, loose tops should make it easier for the patient to move his arms.
• Follow-up appointments are important - Attending post-op appointments is essential because we can see how well the patient is healing and determine when they can resume their normal activities.
• Refrain from heavy lifting or other strenuous activities until advised.
  
  

• Fever - A fever could indicate that an infection is present before any bleeding or oozing of fluid from the incision occurs.
• Signs of Infection - Bleeding or oozing fluid from an incision site could be a symptom of infection. Reporting bleeding or oozing fluid right away can prevent additional complications from arising.
• Leg Pain and Inflammation - Patients experience inflammation and pain in their legs (especially if these symptoms are only present in one of the individual's lower extremities). DVT occurs when a blood clot develops in the leg.
• Severe Pain - This type of pain can indicate an underlying medical problem.
• Trouble Breathing - When an individual experiences difficulty breathing after the procedure, this is a medical emergency.
• Constipation - To avoid the onset of constipation, patients need to drink more fluids and take stool softeners and prescribed medications.

The following are the risks and complications associated with gynaecomastia surgery:

• A negative reaction to anaesthesia
• Blood clots
• Bleeding
• Irregularities in the shape and contouring
• Asymmetrical breasts
• Damage to the blood vessels, the nerves, the muscles and the lungs.
• Changes in the sensations of the nipple-areolar complex or the breasts
• Pulmonary and cardiac complications
• Persistent pain
• An accumulation of fluid
• Fat necrosis
• Persistent pain
• The need for a revision
• Unfavourable scarring
• Poor wound healing
• Reactions to medications, surgical glue, suture materials, or tape

If you would like to book a consultation with Dr Attalla to answer your questions, please fill out our form below.

*All cosmetic surgery is invasive and carries risk.

*Individual results vary as the outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes that other people may experience due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.