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Breast Reduction
Breast Reduction
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have
Breast Reduction
Some men have breasts that are enlarged due to weight gain or a genetic condition. The doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery can work with you to determine the best way to decrease the size of your breasts and enhance the look of your chest region. Male breast reduction surgery, or gynecomastia surgery, is a safe and effective procedure for making breasts smaller and balancing the overall male figure.
Are You A Good Candidate for Breast Reduction?
If dieting and muscle toning exercises have failed to reduce the size of your breasts and you are generally in good health, you may be an ideal candidate for breast reduction surgery. It is also important to fully understand the limitations of breast reduction surgery and to have a clear picture of what your chest area will look like after the procedure.
Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to your surgery, you will meet at length with the doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. At this consultation, your chest area and breasts will be evaluated and you will discuss your goals and expectations for the surgery.
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery doctors and staff will:
· Review the various breast reduction options with you
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the surgery
· Outline in detail how the procedure is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information with you
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medication you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
How The Procedure Is Performed
Your breast reduction procedure will be performed at an area hospital where the doctors operate or at the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI). The procedure generally takes one to two hours to complete and may be performed either under general anesthesia or with local anesthesia with sedation. The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will do everything they can to ensure your comfort during the procedure and your happiness with the outcome.
The doctor will make incisions along the lower, outer edge of the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) of each breast. The doctor then removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin and then contours a new breast shape and repositions the nipple and areola. Stitches are used to close the incisions and gauze dressings are placed over the incisions.
What To Expect After Your Surgery
Activity |
When |
| Shower or Bath | Day After Surgery |
| Back to Work | One To Three Days After Surgery |
| Driving | Usually Within a Week After Surgery |
| Strenuous Activity | Three Weeks After Surgery |
| Fading of Scars | Several Months to One Year |
Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, you will be ready to go home shortly after the procedure. You will need to have someone drive you home after the surgery since you may be a bit sleepy after the anesthesia.
During surgery, your breasts will be covered with a gauze dressing and a surgical compression garment will be placed over the dressings to help hold your newly contoured chest in the correct position. A small tube called a drain may be inserted into each breast to help drain off excess fluid; you will be given instructions on how to care for the drains.
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you may feel tired from the anesthesia and sore from the surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate much of the discomfort. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days.
You can take a shower or bath the day after your surgery; however, don't let the bandages covering your incisions get overly wet. If drains were inserted, you can take a shower or bath as soon as the drains are removed, usually in about two to three days. You can take off the surgical corset placed over your breasts after the surgery during your shower or bath, but it must be worn at all other times (even while sleeping) for the first two weeks after your surgery.
The First Two Weeks After Surgery
· You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery.
· The gauze dressings placed over your breasts during surgery will be removed one to two days after surgery.
· Any non-dissolving stitches around the areola will be removed five to seven days after surgery.
· Any bruising you experience will usually disappear in about two weeks.
You should sleep on your back for the first week after surgery to help keep your chest in the correct position during initial healing. Placing pillows on either side of your body often helps ensure that you do not roll onto your side while sleeping.
During the first two weeks after surgery, you should also:
· Wear the surgical garment placed over your chest after surgery at all times, even while sleeping, to help hold your chest in the correct position. You may take the garment to shower or bathe, but must put it back on immediately after drying off.
· Avoid heavy lifting and straining for at least three weeks.
Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
· You can most likely return to work or school within three to five days after your procedure, unless your work is strenuous.
· You can resume driving as soon as you experience no pain when you turn the steering wheel, usually within a week for cars with power steering and a little longer for manual steering.
· Two weeks after surgery, you can begin to sleep without the special elastic garment you've been wearing. However, you should continue to wear this garment during the day for four weeks after your surgery.
· Strenuous exercise can begin in about three weeks after surgery. Our patients are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
· The scars on your chest should be protected from sunlight for at least a year after surgery.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· You may feel tired for several weeks after your surgery. Listen to your body and rest when you need to.
· You may see a small amount of fluid draining from your surgical incisions. Some crusting in the area is also normal. However, if you have bleeding or intense pain, call The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery (link to Contact_Us.doc) staff right away.
· You will lose some feeling in your chest skin, caused by swelling after surgery. This usually fades within six to eight weeks, but can take up to a year to disappear completely.
· Your breasts may heal at different rates. One side may swell, one may feel less comfortable, or the shapes of your breasts may look different. This is normal; however, when your body is fully recovered, your chest area will look very symmetrical and natural.
What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with breast reduction. During your initial meeting with the doctor, these risks will be discussed and it will be determined if you are a good candidate for breast reduction. As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks of the procedure by closely following the instructions provided to you by the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The doctors and staff of the Institute will be with you every step of the way to ensure that your procedure goes smoothly and that you have the outcome you desire.
Some possible side effects include:
· Sensation changes
· Scars
· Asymmetry
· Loss of sensation
How Long Will the Results of Your Breast Reduction Last?
The results of your breast reduction are permanent. However, weight gain may cause the breasts to appear larger again.
Questions You May Have
· Are there any other procedures that could be done along with breast reduction to enhance the look of my chest region?
Liposuction is sometimes used around the breasts and under the arms to remove excess fat in those areas during the breast reduction process. In addition, the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are the first specialists in the Washington DC area certified to perform LipoSelection, a much gentler form of liposuctionthat can be used to remove fat and enhance the look of the chest region.
· Will insurance pay for my breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction is generally considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for full payment. Detailed cost and payment options will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.
· Are there alternatives to breast reduction surgery?
Options for improving the bulk, volume, and definition of your chest area include weight loss and exercise, especially muscle building exercises. LipoSelection, performed first by the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, may also greatly enhance the look of the chest region.
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