Men who are suffering from gynecomastia or ‘man boobs’ have an excellent option to correct their appearance. Gynecomastia is a condition in which males develop breasts due to an imbalance of hormones or as a result of weight gain. The condition can be caused by anabolic steroids, medications, or disease.
Gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes about one hour to complete. The procedure involves removing excess breast tissue through a small incision made in the armpit area. This surgery does not involve liposuction or breast reduction and does not affect the nipple or skin color.
After the procedure you will need someone to drive you home and help you with your initial recovery period. Your doctor will likely recommend that you take it easy for at least a week after surgery. You can expect some swelling, but this should go away within two weeks after the procedure has been performed.
Here are some tips for preparing for gynecomastia surgery:
Get the right information
Before you decide to have surgery, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of the procedure. Make sure that you understand what happens during each step of the process so you can make an informed decision about your care.
Avoid smoking
Smoking worsens blood flow to the heart and lungs, both of which are essential organs during surgery. It also increases your risk of developing postoperative infections such as pneumonia and respiratory failure — conditions that can lead to death or long-term disability if left untreated.
Avoid drinking alcohol
Alcohol consumption before surgery can lead to excessive bleeding and other complications. You should avoid alcohol for at least two weeks prior to your surgery. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, it is advisable that you seek medical help before undergoing any surgical procedure.
Hold off on taking certain medications
Your doctor may need to change your medication regimen before your surgery or during recovery if you take drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications can make bruising worse after surgery and increase your risk for bleeding during or after surgery. If your doctor prescribes any medications before your procedure, ask if they can be taken at different times from those prescribed for postoperative care.
Get your doctor’s approval
Before scheduling a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon, talk with your doctor. Your surgeon will evaluate any medical conditions you have and determine whether surgery is safe for you. He or she also can recommend ways to reduce the size of your breasts through nonsurgical methods before considering surgery as an option for treatment.
Prepare the area where you will recover
Prepare the area where you will recover from the procedure. Depending on which type of surgery you have chosen, this could be in your home or at an outpatient facility. In either case, make sure that any furniture or other items in the room have been moved out of range of your arms and legs so as not to get in their way as they heal from surgery. If you are planning to stay overnight after surgery at an outpatient center, bring along an extra pillow, blanket and sheet set so that you will be comfortable when resting on their beds after undergoing gynecomastia surgery.
Follow your doctor’s instructions
When you’re getting ready for gynecomastia surgery, make sure you follow all of your doctor’s instructions. This includes following the dietary restrictions he or she has given you, taking any medications as directed and following any other instructions about your health or lifestyle.
Start a healthy diet
A healthy diet helps your body get rid of extra fats and keeps your heart healthy too. You can eat lots of fruits and vegetables as they provide essential vitamins and minerals that are required by your body to fight diseases efficiently. It is also important to drink at least eight glasses of water every day because dehydration can lead to many health problems including gynecomastia.
Do your research before selecting a surgeon
Gynecomastia surgery is relatively common, so you should have no trouble finding a qualified surgeon who practices near you. Ask friends or family members who have had this procedure done; they might know someone who could give you an honest opinion about their experience with their surgeon. You can also check with your local hospital or medical school for recommendations on surgeons who perform gynecomastia surgeries regularly.
Stop taking blood thinners
If you are taking any medication that contains blood thinners, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, then it is important that you stop taking them at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery. Blood thinners can increase bleeding during surgery and may also cause problems with wound healing post-surgery.
Inform your doctor about any current medications.
Tell your doctor about any medications that you are taking, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements. Some medications may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery or may cause complications during anesthesia.
Make sure you have someone to drive you home after the surgery.
You will probably be in a lot of pain and won’t be able to drive yourself home from the hospital. Ask someone to pick you up from the hospital and take care of you for at least one night after your surgery.
Try to get a good night rest the day before the procedure.
You don’t want to be tired when it comes time for surgery because this can cause complications and make your recovery more difficult. Make sure that you get a good night’s sleep so that you’ll be fully rested and alert during the procedure.
Wear loose-fitting clothes
You might want to prepare your wardrobe so that you can wear baggy shirts or sweaters when you go in for your operation. This will make it easier for you to get dressed after surgery and also help hide any swelling or bruising from the procedure.
Clean your chest carefully
Don’t shave, wax or use hair removal creams on your chest for at least two weeks before surgery — this can irritate the skin and lead to infection during the procedure. Also be sure not to use any lotions or oils on your chest before surgery; these may increase bleeding during surgery and interfere with healing afterward.
Expect some pain.
Gynecomastia surgery is not super painful, but having your chest opened up and tissue removed does require anesthesia and local anesthetic to numb things up, so you will feel some discomfort. The good news is that most patients experience mild pain after surgery that can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
Schedule time off from work
The average length of gynecomastia surgery is 2 hours, but this varies depending on the extent of your condition. You might need more time if there are multiple procedures involved or if your recovery takes longer than expected. Your doctor may also recommend using a compression garment to help reduce swelling and bruising. This garment should fit snugly around your chest area, so be sure to check with them about sizing before purchasing one online or buying one in the store.
Find ways to relax and reduce stress.
Learn breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, which involves taking deep breaths and not holding your breath while inhaling air. Practice these exercises daily until they become second nature and are easy to do when necessary.
Don’t use steroids.
These medications increase your risk of developing gynecomastia because they cause your body to produce extra estrogen. Steroids can also cause serious side effects like liver damage and heart problems if used for too long or at high doses.
