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Four Tips to Prepare for Male Breast Reduction Surgery


Male breast enlargement, or gynecomastia, involving one or both sides of the chest, is more common than you might expect and affects many men between the ages of 50 and 69.

Even more surprisingly, true gynecomastia is not caused by excess fat but by hormonal fluctuations producing an imbalance in testosterone and estrogen levels. Since the condition may not be due to lifestyle choices, adopting a vigorous exercise program or following a strict diet may not correct it.

Regardless of the underlying cause, the condition discourages men from wearing their favorite clothing items, such as golf shirts and t-shirts, participating in activities they enjoy, working out at the gym, or spending time on the beach with their families.

Male breast reduction surgery can provide men with an excellent way to flatten their chest and achieve a more masculine appearance.

As with any other plastic surgery procedure, male breast reduction surgery requires some preparation on the patient’s part. Following the tips below will help the patient feel more confident about the procedure, increasing his chances of a smooth surgery and trouble-free recovery.

Determine What You Want From the Procedure

Besides reducing breast tissue, this is an opportunity for you to address other aesthetic issues during the same surgery. These include gland removal, liposuction, as well as skin and tissue removal. Having a good idea of your ultimate goals is a crucial part of being satisfied with the outcome.

Speak With Your Plastic Surgeon About Your Surgery

An essential first step in preparing for your gynecomastia surgery is to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg in Virginia. The reason for working with these professions is that they:

  • Are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Have in-depth knowledge of the underlying causes of gynecomastia
  • Have performed numerous male breast reduction surgeries using the techniques needed for your procedure
  • Can show you before and after pictures of previous male breast reduction patients

Our plastic surgeons have a detailed understanding of reducing breast tissue in men and recontouring the chest to make it more masculine.

Make Changes to Your Lifestyle

Even though your gynecomastia may not be due to any of your lifestyle choices, it’s essential to follow the guidelines outlined below before your surgery. Doing so will help you establish a healthy lifestyle in advance of your procedure while ensuring that you preserve your results.

  • Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Reduce sugar consumption
  • Lower your alcohol consumption
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid taking steroids or hormonal supplements
  • Avoid smoking tobacco or marijuana products

Prepare for Your Recovery

The most challenging part of your gynecomastia surgery is returning home and starting the recovery process. You’ll need to plan some time away from work and other commitments and be ready to spend at least 48 hours resting. Ask friends and family to help you with household chores.

Your Best Treatment Options for Breast Reduction Surgery

Discovering your best gynecomastia surgery options begins with a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg. Please contact or call us today at (540) 371-7730.

Can Breast Reduction Benefit Your Health?

It is no secret that a woman’s breasts are one of the most sexualized features of the female body, with cup size being the main contributor. The pursuit of bigger and more voluptuous breasts has been the main driving force for breast augmentation, leading it to be one of the most requested cosmetic surgery procedures the world over.

However, not all women are happy with having large, heavy breasts leaving them to seriously consider undergoing breast reduction surgery (reduction mammoplasty). Carrying several extra pounds on a daily basis can take a toll over time leading to the development of pain, discomfort, and an overall decreased quality of life. 

The Negative Impact of Having Large Breasts

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure to remove excess tissue, fat, and skin of the breasts, helping to reshape and reduce their overall size and weight. It has been a popular option for women suffering from macromastia, or excessively large breasts, becoming increasingly more common in recent times.  

While those small to modest breast sizes often desire a larger cup size, their negative impact on a woman’s life is often underappreciated. Large breasts are generally associated with the development of several unwanted physical symptoms, such as neck, shoulder and back pain. This is thought to be due to changes in the center of gravity leading to prolonged bending postures and continued tension on the middle and lower fibers of the trapezius muscle and associated muscles groups1. 

 Additional unwanted symptoms of large breasts include:

  • The production of tender, potentially permanent, grooves overlying the shoulder area (over the trapezius near its insertion site on the acromion) caused by the need for study support bras 
  • Friction rash development in the areas where the breast and chest meet
  • Emotional stress caused by chronic pain 
  • Impaired ability to live an active lifestyle 
  • Sleeping and breathing difficulties
  • Nerve pain 

Resulting pain caused by having large breasts often lead to the continued use of pain relievers, which can have their own negative effects on the stomach, liver, and kidneys if consumed in excess over long periods of time2.  

Reshape Your Breasts

Women with large breasts may simply be dissatisfied with the shape, size, and firmness of their breasts, becoming self-conscious due to a perceived asymmetry. This can be emphasized by difficulties fitting into bras and clothing.  A breast reduction will often include a breast lift (mastopexy) that will help women achieve a more appropriate breast size, raise sagging or drooping breasts, and can elevate the nipple to better suit to their body type. 

Breast reduction surgery is considered an outpatient procedure, with most patients going home that very day. The procedure itself takes approximately three hours to complete with most patients returning to normal activity in a week with full recovery in about six weeks. 

Taking Charge of Your Own Wellbeing

Many women who are considering breast reduction surgery often face a lot of cultural backlash. They are told to they should feel lucky to be blessed with such attributes or that they may regret it after getting the procedure. But these other people simply don’t know the truth about how living with very large breasts can affect everyday life. 

Breast reduction surgery can be liberating for women, allowing them to feel more comfortable; positively impact their lives. The elimination of pain symptoms alone is the sole reason many women undergo the procedure, making breast reduction surgery to be consistently reported as one of the highest rated in satisfaction among all cosmetic procedures3.

If you suffer from undue pain caused by large breasts, speak to the highly trained and experienced plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg. Their knowledge and expertise in regard to cosmetic surgical procedures are second to none and they are more than happy to guide you through every step of the way. 

 

To schedule a personalized consultation, call the Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg at (540) 371-7730 today!

 

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3322448/ 
  2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/are-you-taking-too-much-anti-inflammatory-medication-2018040213540
  3. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/01/1402022/0/en/New-Statistics-Reveal-the-Shape-of-Plastic-Surgery.html

Will You Be Mine? Top Reasons to Say Yes to Breast Surgery This Valentine’s Day

The love month is not just for couples. Whether you’re single or in a happy long distance relationship, you can still celebrate the day of hearts with something special.

That said, if you don’t have any plans this Valentine’s Day, may we suggest a cosmetic procedure that can help increase your love for yourself, and that is no other than breast enhancement surgery.

People enhance their breasts for a myriad of reasons. Some choose to get breast implants because they want to improve the proportion of their body. Others choose to reduce their breast size surgically so they can try high-intensity sports or to feel comfortable. Whatever the reason is, many breast surgery patients enjoy one common benefit, and that is they love their bodies more.

A Few Reasons for Breast Surgery

If you are hesitant to try breast surgery, here are additional reasons to consider this life-enhancing procedure:

Increased Confidence

When you know you look good, you can’t help but change the way you feel for the better. Confidence can take you to many places. If you’re confident, you won’t shy away from putting yourself “out there”.

Male breast reduction surgery can help sculpt the upper body in men to make them look a bit more masculine. An enhanced appearance can give a guy the confidence to go out there and perhaps meet a special someone.

Help Reach Weight Loss Goals

Breast surgery can help you reach your goals in round about ways. For instance, if you’re unmotivated to go to the gym because it’s uncomfortable to exercise with overly large breasts, then a breast reduction surgery may be just the ticket to fix this issue, and get you going to the gym.

Prepare for Beach Season

Bikinis, tankinis and one-pieces all look great on a woman who feels great about herself. You don’t have to be 100% ‘bikini ready’ to be 100% confident in yourself. If you feel that a breast augmentation surgery, a breast lift, can put you over the edge and make this summer something special, then why not take the plunge on surgery and then buy yourself a plunging one-piece?

If you’re looking to show off a new you this summer, the best time to schedule a procedure is now. It takes about three to six weeks to recover fully from a breast surgery. Plus, the weather is still cool at this time of the year, so recovery will be more comfortable than if you schedule a surgery in the warmer months.

Schedule a consultation at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg today to learn other ways how breast surgery can increase your love for your body.

Teen Breast Reduction: What do I need to know?

Many women dream of larger breasts, but for those that are blessed with a little too much, the reality is… bigger isn’t always better. Breast reduction can help reduce back and shoulder pain, eliminate skin rashes and irritation, make exercise easier, help clothing fit better and restore self-confidence. While many wait until they are an adult to consider this procedure, breast reduction can be beneficial for some teens. If your teen wants breast reduction, keep reading for tips and facts to help you make the breast reduction decision.

Overly Large Breasts Can Have a Negative Impact on Teens

Does your teen really need breast reduction? This isn’t an answer that you can easily make, but for some teens, overly large breasts can have several negative impacts. One study found that teens with macromastia (or overly large breasts) had lower self-esteem, lower self-perceived health, a higher BMI  and more breast-related symptoms. Additionally, they were also at an increased risk for eating disorders. The researchers concluded, “Macromastia has a substantial negative impact on health-related quality of life, self-esteem, physical symptoms and eating behaviors in adolescents with this condition… Health care providers should be aware of these important negative health outcomes that are associated with macromastia and consider early evaluation for adolescents with this condition.”

Teen Breast Reduction Is Becoming More Common

As a parent, it can be stressful to think about your teen undergoing surgery, but know that you aren’t alone. Teen breast reduction, and breast reduction in general, is becoming more common. Recently, 17-year-old actress Ariel Winter shared her journey to breast reduction. The 5-foot, 1-inch actress had size F breasts, making it difficult to find appropriate clothing and causing a great deal of pain. She says, “It was so painful. I had a lot of back problems. I really couldn’t stand up straight for a long period of time. It started to hurt so bad that I couldn’t take the pain. My neck was hurting so bad and I actually had some problems with my spine.” She explains that the surgery transformed how she feels about herself, “I have felt happier with myself than I ever have.”

Some Issues to Consider

While teen breast reduction is the right choice for many teens, it isn’t without risks. Here are some things you and your need to consider before surgery:

  • Breasts May Continue to Grow: If breast reduction is performed too early, the breasts may continue to grow. If that were to occur a revision surgery may be necessary.
  • Overweight Teens May Have More Complications: Many teens with large breasts may be overweight or obese. Complications may be more common in these patients. On the other hand, large breasts often don’t decrease substantially with weight loss and they can make it more difficult to be active and exercise.
  • Breast Feeding: Breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery is certainly possible; however there are some risks that after breast reduction you may not be able to breast feed.

Taking the First Step

If you have a teen with large breasts that are causing discomfort, visit with a plastic surgeon and discuss your options. Breast reduction might be the right choice for your teen or it may be best to wait. If you want more information so you can make an informed decision. Call us today at 540-371-7730 to schedule your appointment.