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Am I a candidate for male
breast reduction?
The most important question you
should ask yourself is: does the condition bother you both
psychologically and physically? Should
the answer be positive, you should consider surgery and start
to gather information that will help you make an intelligent
decision while consulting with a Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon who is experienced in this type of surgery, obtaining
information from web sites and referrals.
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Am I too young to have gynecomastia
surgery?
In general, we recommend you wait
until the age of 18 years. There
are some circumstances where a person should consider it
earlier. For this you will have to consult a Plastic
Surgeon.
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How do I choose the right Plastic
Surgeon?
As a rule, he/she should be a
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a member of the American
Society of Plastic Surgeons
(www.plasticsurgery.org).
Most importantly, the surgeon should have experience with
this
specific procedure. In
today's world, the Internet is an invaluable
tool that can help you to make your decision by reading specific
content and viewing photo galleries.
Communication with your surgeon's office
staff and the physician are of paramount importance. Once
you decide to have the surgery, you should interview a few
surgeons and expect to receive complete and satisfactory
answers to all of your questions. Good rapport with
the office staff and surgeon prior to surgery is essential
for a successful end result.
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What results can I expect?
You should discuss this with your
surgeon prior to surgery, and make sure you fully understand
everything that is involved
while keeping your expectations realistic. Your experienced
surgeon can help you with this.
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How many procedures of this nature
has the surgeon performed? In a month, in a year, in
his career?
If he has significant experience, it should be substantiated
with good quality pre and post-operative photos as well as
references.
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What are the surgical risks?
See the section on Surgical Risks.
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What kind of scar should I expect?
Usually periareolar (about 1 inch
scar in the lower part of the areola) that is generally inconspicuous.
Sometimes, tiny scars remain in the armpit or chest after
liposuction.
Some people need more extensive procedures, and this should
be
discussed with your surgeon in detail prior to surgery.
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Will I have pain that will require
medication?
Usually pain is minimal, but since we want to make sure you
will be comfortable, we do provide you with a prescription
for pain medication.
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How much time should I take off from
work or school?
This depends on the type of work
you do and the extent of the surgical procedure. Usually
it's between 3 and 10 days, but healing time varies for each
individual
and should be discussed with your surgeon.
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What types of anesthesia do you offer?
Local anesthesia is determined
based on the type of surgical procedure and the patient's
tolerance. Sedation is not a
general anesthesia, but the patient is asleep. This
is the preferred method in my office because it is safe when
done
by an experienced Board
Certified Anesthesiologist. General anesthesia is rarely
needed in my office.
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Is the operating room certified?
My office is certified by The
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
This commission certifies 80% of the major hospitals in the
United
States of America.
This certification provides you with extra assurance on the
highest
quality standards of a surgical suite.
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How should I prepare for the surgery?
Prior to surgery you should get
detailed instructions from your surgeon's office. Pre-operative
testing is mandatory. You should stop medications such
as blood thinner, aspirin, Advil, Vitamin E and herbal
remedies such as St. John's Wort and Ginkgo Biloba. Do
not eat or drink eight (8) hours prior to surgery. Arrive
on the day of surgery in comfortable clothing that is not
tight or confining. Have a responsible person accompany
you to and from the doctor's office.
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What type of dressing will I have?
My personal preference is an elastic
(ACE bandage) or surgical vest. Sometimes gauze dressing
is all that is necessary.
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Will I have a drain?
Usually not, but in cases of excessive
bleeding, a drain will be necessary. This will be removed
in a few days post-operative.
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Should I change my own dressing?
This depends on the amount of
bleeding or discharge, and should be discussed with your
surgeon. It is always
wise to have sterile gauze and surgical tape at home.
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Will my health insurance cover this
procedure?
In most cases, they do not cover this procedure.
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What can cause gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia can be caused by
drugs, steroids or marijuana
as well as other factors. These should be discontinued
prior to surgery to minimize recurrence. |
