Gynecomastia Sydney

Gynecomastia or Gyno is the development of excess breast tissue or man boobs that can lead to both social and professional embarrassment. The Gyno surgery to correct this condition is called a male breast reduction, chest contouring or Gynecomastia surgery and is best performed by a plastic surgeon. A range of different techniques can be used depending on the severity of the condition.

Gynecomastia Surgery Overview

Dr Turner performs Male breast reduction or gynecomastia surgery under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist. Expect the operation to take two hours, and you are discharged the same day – no overnight stay required.

Surgery involves removes excess fat and glandular tissue from the breasts, and in severe cases excess skin may also need to be removed. The surgery is usually done by a combination of liposuction to remove the excess fat and contour the chest wall, and a small incision around the lower part of the areola to resect the glandular breast tissue. The scars around the areola once healed are barely perceptible.

For the extremely enlarged and droopy male breast, a more significant breast reduction may be indicated. Extended male breast reduction involves removal of considerable breast tissue, fat and skin. This procedure may require larger incisions and create more conspicuous scars, as for female breast reductions.

Am I Suitable for Gynecomastia Surgery?

Good candidates include men of any age who are healthy, emotionally stable and close to their ideal body weight. Generally, patients best suited for male breast reduction are those who are unhappy with the size or appearance of their breasts and experience physical discomfort.

Obese men are not ideal gynecomastia surgery candidates and should first attempt to correct their enlarged male breasts through weight loss and exercise. Also, men who drink alcoholic beverages in excess, or regularly smoke marijuana or take anabolic steroids should stop the use of these substances, as they may have caused their enlarged breasts. It is prudent to discontinue the use of these substances for four to six months before considering gynecomastia surgery.

Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery

Reduce the size of breast tissue
Reduce the amount of fatty tissue
Remove excess skin if required
Overall flatter, firmer and improved chest contour
Improve asymmetry
Improved fitting of clothing
Reduce discomfort from sore or tender breast tissue

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Recovery After Your Gynecomastia Surgery

Recovery from a male breast reduction procedure is generally quick and easy, and many patients can return to their normal activities after a few days. Strenuous exercise of the upper body and arms should be avoided for six weeks.

It is recommended that all patients are on bed rest for the first day. Patients who have undergone the gynecomastia procedure will experience discomfort for up to one week which is eased with pain medication. Each patient will wear surgical dressings and a compression garment for about 4-6 weeks. Most patients are back to work within 7-10 days.

You may experience some mild discomfort over the first week, for which you are prescribed oral pain medication. Mild swelling of the chest area and bruising will resolve within two to three weeks. A compression garment is worn under the clothes for six weeks to facilitate the best chest contour and minimise swelling.

The final results of male breast reduction surgery can take up to six months to be fully apparent.

What are the Risks of Gynecomastia Surgery?

All plastic surgery carries some risk and should only be performed by a specialist plastic surgeon, preferably with lengthy experience, to minimise complications. Dr Turner will cover the risks of Gyno Surgery in detail during your consultation.

Next Steps

Your Cosmetic Plastic surgery consultation

During your consultation, Dr Turner will discuss your goals, and provide an in-depth explanation of your desired surgery and what that means for you. He can also discuss different surgical techniques, benefits, and risks of procedures available.

Most importantly, however, this is the time for you to have all of your questions answered and to be completely listened to and understood by your surgeon. We ask that you please come prepared with any questions you may have for Dr Turner, and look forward to discussing your individualised plan.

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Research

Ensure you have done your research, both on your desired surgery, as well as your surgeon.

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Book a consultation

Submit an enquiry through our website or give us a call before booking your consultation. To ensure you are a suitable candidate for your desired procedure, Dr Turner asks to review your images before making a booking. This saves time and money if you are not a suitable candidate, in which case our lovely team will help direct you to an alternative procedure.

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Meet with Dr Turner

Once your images have been approved and your consultation has been booked, we ask that you prepare any questions you may have for Dr Turner, as well as some images of desired outcomes for your surgery, this helps ensure you and Dr Turner are on the same page when discussing realistic results.

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Keep up-to-date

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in Dr Turner’s clinics around NSW by following our Instagram @faceplus.aesthetics and @drscottjturner

Ready to take the next step?

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions about Gynaecomastia Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Am I a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery?

If you feel self-conscious about the appearance of the gynaecomastia
If you experience discomfort, some gynaecomastia can be tender and painful
If you are physically and mentally fit and have realistic expectations
Not overly overweight
Non-smoker, Ceased marijuana or anabolic steroid use

What are the risks of male breast reduction surgery?

All plastic surgery carries some risk and should only be performed by a specialist plastic surgeon, preferably with lengthy experience, to minimise complications. In general for male breast reduction, risks may include visible scars, irregular chest contour, persistent tissue, contour asymmetry, infection and bleeding.

Could gynecomastia (male breasts) be breast cancer?

Male breast cancer is rare, but it does occur, usually in men in their 60s and 70s. It is often present on one side only, starting as a firm and painless lump. If you find a lump in your breast, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What scarring will there be after male breast reduction?

Dr Turner will ensure that scarring from your breast reduction is minimal. Incisions are positioned to be least noticeable, if not hidden, along the lower border of the areola, where the pink and white skin comes together. Within six to 12 months after surgery, most scars have usually faded to be indistinguishable from the surrounding skin.

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When should I have a facelift?

There is no defined age that is best to undergo facelift surgery – we all age differently according to our genetics and environmental experiences such as sun exposure, skin care and smoking. Facelifts can be performed from early 40′s to late 70′s. Benefits usually last longer when a facelift is performed on a younger person who still have good skin elasticity.

How long will my facelift last?

Due to the natural ageing process and the effects of gravity. Facial ageing will unfortunately continue. With that being said, your face will always look younger than it did if you had never had a facelift done. Overall, this procedure tends to reset the clock, leading to a 10+ year advantage over individuals of the same age. If, over time, you would like an additional facelift, it is generally not as comprehensive as the initial surgery.

Will people be able to see that I’ve had a facelift?

After getting a facelift, many patients mention that their friends and family make remarks about how they look fresh and rested. People might ask if you have been away on holiday or if you’ve “changed something”. There is no characteristic look of a facelift. Forget about the problems with the old fashioned unnatural face lifts. Modern procedures are undetectable. The procedure simply restores your youthful look and no one will be able to tell you’ve had anything done. You’ll just look like a well-rested and fresh version of you.

Do you do fat transfer as part of a facelift?

Fat transfer are an integral component of any facelift surgery, to give complete rejuvenation of the face. The concept of the volumetric facelift, combines the benefit of restoring facial volume associated with ageing with fat injections combined with lifting and tightening the deeper facial structures with a SMAS facelift procedure. There are very few patients that don’t benefit from the addition of fat grafting as part of a facelift procedure.

Will I have any scars?

The incisions used during a facelift, will depend on the procedure and the technique used. For instance, the incisions made for a traditional facelift will differ from a short-scar facelift or midface lift. With incisions made in natural borders, hairlines, and folds, once fully healed, they will be barely noticeable. At first, they may be pink and slightly raised, but within the first few months, they will begin to quickly fade.

How quickly will stitches be removed? How quickly will I heal?

Once you leave the hospital, a follow-up appointment will be made within the first 7 days. At this time, Dr Turner will assess your wounds and remove stitches. After this step is completed, it’s recommended that you commence topical silicone ointment along the incision line. Overall, most patients look presentable after the first 2 weeks. The full healing time for soft tissue and skin will be around 6 months. Although scaring may be red and itchy at first, within the first few months, they’ll begin to lighten. After 1-2 years, they will soften and be barely noticeable.

How long will I need to take off work?

More patients can return to work after 2 weeks following surgery. Within the first 3 days, you will likely experience swelling, which then settles after approximately 1 week. Overall, the healing process is rapid, and you will be able to return to your regular routine within 2-3 weeks. At 2 weeks, for instance, you can generally begin to perform light exercise, gently increasing activity levels over 6 weeks.

Will I need a drain after my facelift?

Yes, in most cases. Drains are used to gather excessive fluid after a facelift procedure. Your drain will be removed the day after your procedure. If you’re having a short scar facelift in a limited area, you might not need a drain. Dr Turner will advise you before the procedure so you know exactly what to expect.

Do hairlines shift after a facelift?

During your consultation with Dr Turner we evaluate which incision placement is best suited for you. If you require a large amount of skin removal than an incision placed along the hair line will minimize any hairline shifts which are an unfortunate stigma of having a poorly executed facelift surgery.

Is there much pain in having a breast reduction?

Most patients report discomfort after male breast reduction surgery, but not significant pain. As a precaution, long-acting local anaesthetic is injected during the procedure to minimise sensation during the first 24 hours after surgery. Pain relief medication is supplied for the early recovery period if required.

What happens during recovery after male breast reduction surgery?

All stitches are dissolving. Dressing is put over wound to assist with healing. Compression vest worn for 6 weeks. You will usually need 1 week off work and can ease back into exercise after 4 to 6 weeks.

Do I need any special tests?

For most men with gynaecomastia there is no underlying abnormal condition that causes it to occur. After your examination with Dr Turner you may be required to get a blood test or ultrasound.

Will the entire gland be removed during the Surgery?

Male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia is a cosmetic procedure, and in most cases only enough gland is removed to create a flat, contoured chest.

Is there any non-surgical treatment for Gynecomastia?

Although you can read about easy, non-surgical cures in the news and advertisements, and there is considerable ongoing research aimed at finding a way to reverse it without surgery, no effective medical treatment exists at this time.

Can Liposuction be used alone for Male Breast Reduction?

Male breast reduction surgery may be performed with liposuction, but in most cases it is not an adequate technique when used alone. Removing the fat around the gland only can create an unnatural bulb, causing a “re-do” surgery in the future.

Will the nipple sensation be lost after Breast Reduction Surgery?

With any breast surgery, it is always possible to have a change in nipple sensation, and some patients report changes in sensation, while others do not experience any change at all.

How long is the recovery time?

Everyone’s recovery time is different, but most people resume daily activities 2-3 days after the procedure, and typically return to work around 1 to 2 weeks later. You can expect to be exercising again in 3-4 weeks. To optimize the healing process, you will be required to wear a surgical vest for up to two weeks following the procedure. Any stitches applied to incisions will dissolve naturally.

How long does the surgery take?

Most male breast reduction surgery is completed in as little as an hour depending on the nature of your procedure.

How long do the effects of male breast reduction last?

The effects are long lasting however if you gain weight following the procedure, fat cells can return to the chest area.

How do I know if I have gynaecomastia or just excess fat (pseudo-gynaecomastia)?

Examination of the consistency of your chest tissue by your surgeon, along with a series of blood and other diagnostic tests will determine whether your problem is due to gynaecomastia (glandular tissue) or just fat. Your surgeon will then advise you on the most appropriate course of treatment for your particular condition.

Could drugs or medications cause gynecomastia?

There are some men who are on medications known to cause gynecomastia, whether by prescription or illicitly. It is advisable to curtail all illicit substances for many reasons, beyond just the gynecomastia. If you are on prescription medicines that might be related to causing gynecomastia, discuss with your prescribing doctor whether there are alternative drugs for you to take.

Is Gynecomastia common?

Don’t worry you’re not alone. Approximately one third of the men suffer with gynecomastia. As many as 65% of 14 year old boys have this percent of these boys will have complete “recovery” within 18 to 36 months without any treatment and is usually caused by changes in hormones at puberty or as part of aging.

Sometimes, gynecomastia may be caused by prescription drugs (cardiac, high blood pressure meds, etc.), over-the-counter medicines (allergy, asthma meds, etc.), illegal drugs, tumours or disease (as liver problems).

About Dr Scott Turner FRACS (Plas) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Scott J Turner has spent a lifetime acquiring the qualifications, education, training, and hands-on surgical experience to perform superior cosmetic plastic surgery to give you beautiful results. He is one of Sydney’s great Specialist Plastic Surgeons with a focus on face surgeries in New South Wales.
Achieving this personal goal requires not only in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and refined surgical techniques but an ongoing commitment to learning the latest procedures around the world. This is why Dr Turner regularly attends both local and international surgeon meetings – discussing these advances with the leaders around the world in order to offer you the most effective and safest surgical procedures.
Dr Turner and his highly trained staff will do everything to ensure that you are fully informed, while providing exceptional cosmetic plastic surgery, in a personal and caring environment.