Gynecomasty (breasts in men)

PREPARING FOR GYNECOMASTY

A consultation with an endocrinologist is usually required before the operation to find out whether the gynecomastia is caused by a treatable hormonal problem. You can get a referral to an endocrinologist from your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or even here, at our clinic. At your preparatory appointment, we will examine your thorax, and together, we will decide on the best surgical technique based on your needs and state of health. As gynecomastia presents with various degrees of severity, the surgical technique must be adapted to each patient’s anatomy.

GYNECOMASTY: SURGERY

Gynecomasty is a day surgery performed under general anesthesia that takes from one to two hours. After the surgery, you will wear a supportive bandage over your thorax, and you will have to wear a compression garment. Depending on the type of operation, there may be small drainage tubes at the thorax.

RECOVERY AFTER GYNECOMASTY

You may experience moderate pain after the surgery that can be managed with prescribed medications. Your thorax will be swollen and uncomfortable for a couple of days. The bandage must be kept dry and intact until the first post-operative visit, which is one week after the surgery. If drains were inserted, they will probably be removed at this visit. You will have to wear the compression garment day and night for three weeks, and then only during the day for another three weeks. The following post-op visits are usually three weeks, three months and one year after the operation. At the three-week appointment, the butterfly bandages will be removed, and you will be asked to massage the scar tissue. Avoid intense physical effort for six weeks. If your work does not require physical effort, you may return after a few days of recovery. The swelling may remain for a while. The definitive results are usually observable two or three months after the operation, but the scars may appear red for six to twelve months.