Breast Reduction for Men & Women: How is it Performed?
Many body contouring procedures are intended to help both male and female patients improve an aspect of their appearance. This is certainly the case when it comes to breast reduction surgery. Both traditional breast reduction for women and male breast reduction for gynecomastia have the same goal: to help the patient feel better and more confident in their appearance. Although their end goal may be the same, the difference may lie in how these two respective cosmetic procedures are performed.
In addition to wanting a change in breast size for cosmetic reasons, breast reduction can relieve women of the back and neck pain that can sometimes accompany larger, heavier breasts. With female patients, breast reduction surgery begins by making an incision, typically around the areola (nipple). I am then able to surgically remove breast tissue, skin, and fat from the breast area to decrease the volume of the breasts. Lastly, the remaining breast tissue is reshaped to form a more modest, shapely breast contour. In some cases, a breast lift may be performed as well to help improve the positioning of the newly reduced breasts.
For men, breast enlargement is purely a cosmetic concern, however it is a major one that can badly impact a guy’s self-confidence. During male breast reduction, an incision may be made along the edge of the areola or within the armpit, depending on the needs of the specific patient. For men who experience true gynecomastia, the majority of what is removed during surgery is glandular breast tissue (as well as smaller amounts of skin and fat). Once enough tissue is removed, I then sculpt a flatter, more masculine chest contour.
Check out the video below where I discuss breast reduction procedures that I perform on male and female patients:
Regardless if you are a man or a woman, if you are interested in a breast reduction procedure, the first step is to consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon (like myself). I have been performing breast reduction procedures for decades and have seen firsthand the incredible results that this surgery can provide to male and female patients. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. And follow along with me on Facebook and Twitter for additional videos, tips, news, and more.