Male Breast Reduction in Geneva
Gynecomastia (from the Greek: gyne = woman, mastos = breast) is the medical term for overly developed mammary glands in men resulting in abnormally large male breasts. Gynecomastia occurs in about 40 to 60% of all men, mainly of adolescent or elderly age, and might affect only one breast or both. Even though drugs or hormonal imbalances are sometimes linked to enlarged male breasts, the underlying causes remain uncertain in the majority of patients.
Dr. Kai-Uwe Schlaudraff performs male breast reduction in Geneva, Switzerland to help men living with gynecomastia. To learn more about treatment options, request a consultation online with Dr. Schlaudraff, or phone the Concept Clinic at +41-22-54-000-54.
Male Breast Reduction Candidates
Surgical treatment of gynecomastia can be performed on healthy men of any age. The "short scar" treatment is best indicated for men having firm, elastic skin and a moderate to large breast volume. Patients with severe obesity might be encouraged to reduce their body weight prior to surgery. In those patients who smoke marijuana, take anabolic steroids, or drink alcohol in excess, the surgery might be postponed until the underlying behaviour is addressed.
Your Consultation
During the consultation Dr. Schlaudraff will check for causes of the gynecomastia such as impaired liver function, use of estrogen-containing medication, or anabolic steroids, and will decide on whether additional blood tests or an ultrasound of the breast are necessary. He will then examine your body and carefully evaluate the quality of the skin, fatty tissue, chest muscles, and breast glands. Special note is made of asymmetries of the breasts or nipples as well as of the amount of excess skin and the presence of stretch marks.
These details will enable Dr. Schlaudraff to advise you about the "short scar" treatment for gynecomastia and whether you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Finally, Dr. Schlaudraff will advise you whether your health insurance might cover some of the costs, which is possible in cases of severe hypertrophy of the breast gland and in patients with very pronounced gynecomastia.
"Short Scar" Treatment
Conventional surgery for gynecomastia like the "round-block" technique or reduction mammoplasty includes the excision of excess skin and often leaves long, visible and unattractive scars, either in the submammary fold or a scar around the nipple due to a so-called "full periareolar" incision. The "short scar" treatment of gynecomastia combines the surgical excision of the enlarged breast gland with the revolutionary VASER® Hi Def™ liposuction.
First, the enlarged mammary tissue is removed through a small incision underneath the nipple. Then the innovative ultrasound technology allows the selective treatment of excess deep and superficial fatty tissue. It leaves the connective tissue, nerves and small blood vessels mainly intact and results in less bruising and swelling as well as greatly improved skin retraction. The ultrasound assisted liposuction enables Dr. Schlaudraff to provide patients with a faster and less painful recovery and - most importantly - to induce a very pronounced skin retraction that usually tightens most of the excess skin and enables Dr. Schlaudraff to leave only very short and discreet scars.
Surgical Procedure
The surgical treatment of gynecomastia is performed in a state-of-the-art surgery theater under general anesthesia. The enlarged breast gland is removed through a small incision at the lower border of the nipple. Undesired fatty tissue is then treated through VASER Hi Def liposuction and at the end of surgery a compression garment is applied. The surgery takes 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the breast gland as well as on the thickness and consistency of the fatty tissue. After male breast reduction in Geneva the patient is usually advised to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days for optimal recovery.
Recovery and Results
The soreness during the first days after surgery will vary for each patient and is usually described as a light pain that limits body movements but can be controlled with normal pain medication. Draining of watery liquid at the incision site might occur for 2 to 3 days after surgery and is completely normal. Taking a shower and traveling is allowed within a few days postoperatively. You may return to your normal light activities 2 to 3 days after surgery. A compression garment will need to be worn day and night for 4 weeks.
Small blue spots / hematomas are possible and disappear within 2 to 4 weeks. Slight changes in skin sensitivity might occur but will return to normal within 8 to 12 weeks. The final result will be seen after 8 to 12 weeks when skin retraction is fully established. At this time you may also resume strenuous physical activities (like diving, climbing, and sauna).
