Name: Silhouette Surgical Spa
Price range: $$$

Boys and men alike commonly experience excess tissue in their chest that can make it appear feminine, a condition known as gynecomastia. This can occur from a variety of factors such as age, specific medications, certain diseases, or weight gain. The male chest can be extremely hard to sculpt through standard exercising, especially if the condition is caused by excess glandular tissue. At Silhouette Surgical Spa, we offer our male patients different techniques to define their chest.

Contact Silhouette Surgical Spa in Scottsdale today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ptak to see if this procedure is right for you.

About Male Gynecomastia

The term gynecomastia refers to breasts on men which are both glandular and the formation of excess fat deposits. This condition is quite common, affecting between 40 and 60 percent of men. Gynecomastia can occur in men for a number of reasons; some of the most common reasons being age, heredity, increased estrogen, certain medications, and weight fluctuation. One of the most common reasons is hormone imbalance as a result of age. As men age, their bodies tend to produce less testosterone but maintain normal estrogen production. This causes an imbalance in the hormonal system, and with too much estrogen, men can start to see tissue development and softening of the chest. This is not the only factor that plays into this condition, but does it tends to be the common diagnosis.

Good Candidates

Good candidates for male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia correction are men who have developed enlarged chests either due to glandular or adipose tissue. The excess fat and tissue in the breasts can occur for a few different reasons such as heredity, age, certain medications, use of steroids, drastic fluctuations in weight, or other conditions. Often, but not always, the men who suffer from this condition are middle-aged and older, normally between the ages of 40-60. Men that experience this condition may feel self-conscious about their bodies and avoid being topless, even when at the beach or swimming. Once the glands and fat deposits have become noticeable, weight loss and exercise are ineffective in correcting the condition. Patients looking into this procedure should be in good health and have realistic expectations of the results. The patient should also ideally be a non-smoker. Men who experience tenderness or sensitivity of the breasts or experience a sudden rapid growth in tissue should contact their primary care physicians to ensure no other conditions are causing these symptoms. Generally, the procedure is not recommended for adolescents as some swelling of breast tissues is common in during puberty and the condition disappears on its own.

Consultation

During the initial consultation, Dr. Ptak will meet one on one with the patient and review his particular concerns. Patients will be able to discuss what their body goals are and what his expectations are for the overall outcome. The doctor will then inquire about the patient’s medical history, previous surgeries, routine medications, and current health conditions to determine if this procedure will be suitable for him or if a different procedure may be better for his particular goals.

An examination is then performed by the doctor to identify the patient’s specific concerns and determine if he is a good candidate for this procedure.

This examination will include finding out the underlying cause of the patient’s enlarged chest; whether it is due to an excess of glandular tissue, adipose tissue, or a combination of both. This is important to determine because the treatment method will differ. Excess adipose tissue can be corrected with liposuction, while glandular requires an excision technique. If determined a good candidate, Dr. Ptak and the patient will work together to build an individualized treatment plan tailored to the patient’s desired results. Patients will be given the option to schedule their procedure date during this appointment if deemed appropriate by the doctor. For patients who want to learn more about gynecomastia and the treatment options, please contact our office and schedule your consultation today.

Preparation

Prior to the procedure date, Dr. Ptak will provide his patients with instructions to follow to ensure optimal results for gynecomastia correction. Patients that smoke will be advised to quit 3 weeks prior to the surgery date. It is important to avoid taking any anti-inflammatory drugs at least 2 weeks before the surgery. It is also recommended for patients to arrange for someone to drive them home the day of surgery if anesthesia is required, as well as have someone on-call to help in any way during the recovery stage. It is also recommended to have necessary recovery items at counter level before the surgery.

Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Gynecomastia correction is done with one of two male breast reduction surgery methods. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the method. If glandular tissue is the cause, Dr. Ptak will make a small incision around the lower half of the areola through which the breast glands will be removed. Once the tissue has been removed, VASER liposuction can be performed to then remove excess fat and sculpt the chest. The doctor begins liposuction by inserting the cannula into initial incision along the bottom of the areola. VASER liposuction uses ultrasound technology to heat and breaks down fat cells for easier removal. High-power suction then removes the fat cells from the body and contours the patient’s chest into its most attractive state. Once the chest has been sculpted to its desired look, drains will be inserted, and the incisions will be closed. The drains will help to remove any surgical or bodily fluid that may accumulate in the breasts following surgery. A compression garment will be wrapped around the chest and the patient will be taken into the recovery area.

Recovery

Once in the recovery area, the patient will be monitored for a couple hours before being released home. Before leaving, the patient is given a list of individualized instructions to follow during the recovery stage. To help improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots, Dr. Ptak advises patients to walk a brief amount the night of surgery. The initial recovery period is from seven to ten days. If drains have been used (to prevent swelling and speed healing) they are usually removed about three days after the operation at the first post-op doctor visit. Surface sutures may be removed after about a week. The patient can generally resume normal activity after this time but must avoid all strenuous activity, particularly lifting or heavy exercise for four to six weeks. Finally, a compression garment is generally suggested for six weeks following surgery to help with swelling and bruising that can occur. Following these instructions will help to ensure optimal results.

Results

Results can be seen immediately after treatment, although hidden under the compression garment during the healing process. Once the swelling in the chest has fully subsided, patients will be able to see the full results of the procedure; on average 4-6 months following surgery. Patients will notice that their chests are more sculpted and firm, being left with minimal fat and tissue within this area. This treatment is extremely effective at correcting excess breast tissue and providing long-lasting results. The men who have undergone this procedure have been very satisfied with the results and the improvement it has made in their confidence. The procedure will leave minimal scars and after six months to a year they will fade and be very unnoticeable, especially because they are made on natural borders.

Additional Procedures

Depending on the patient’s particular case, Dr. Ptak may suggest additional treatments to provide the desired results. The procedures described below can both be performed during the gynecomastia removal procedure, providing even more transformational results.

Liposuction

For men looking to fully sculpt their bodies, VASER liposuction can help to remove excess fat using ultrasound technology. This liposuction technique is used in the gynecomastia removal but can also be added as an additional procedure to be used on other areas of the body. Men who are looking to fully sculpt their body may benefit from VASER liposuction performed on the abdomen, flanks, and upper arms. These areas will help add to the sculpted appearance of the chest. This procedure does not remove excess skin or tighten very loose skin; this is treated with a male tummy tuck.

Male Tummy Tuck

A male tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles in such a way that keeps a masculine contour. This procedure is beneficial for patients who have lost a large amount of weight, leaving their stomach with loose excess skin that won’t tone with exercise. The way a male tummy tuck is performed is different than a tummy tuck for a female because the desired results are different. Women often desire a smooth abdomen and cinched waistline while men tend to just look for an overall flatter midsection without waist cinching.

Gynecomastia Surgery Cost

Gynecomastia surgery is a very individualized procedure. The cost of treatment will depend on the amount of tissue that must be removed, the techniques being used, and if additional procedures are necessary to obtain the desired results. During the consultation, Dr. Ptak will provide the patient with a personalized quote tailored specifically to his ideal physique goals.

For men who experience gynecomastia and are looking for a long-term solution, look no further. Please contact Silhouette Surgical Spa today and request a consultation.