about the male breast liposculpture procedure
Male breast liposculpture is a common cosmetic surgery procedure. Breast tissue in men is comprised of glandular tissue and fat. Some people have a greater proportion of glandular tissue to fat in their breasts (i.e. their breasts are denser), while others have more fat than glandular tissue.
Men have breast tissue too. In some men, breast tissue grows due to a condition called gynaecomastia, whereby weight gain, hereditary conditions, steroid or cannabis use, hormonal imbalance, or hormone therapy (for example, to treat prostate cancer) causes excessive male breast enlargement. This may be bilateral (both sides) or unilateral (one side). It can affect men of any age and liposuction only removes fatty tissue therefore careful assessment is required to ascertain fatty tissue or breast tissue or both. If an excess of breast tissue is evident then referral to another practitioner may be requested. Dr Heckenberg only performs liposculpture / liposuction.
male breast liposuction (male chest reduction)
Liposuction of the excess fatty tissue of the male breast (pseudo-gynaecomastia) is typically performed under mild to moderate sedation and involves small incisions (3-5mm) under the breast and to the side of the breast (approximately 3 incisions per breast).
Liposuction of the male breast only removes fatty tissue, therefore male chest liposuction is most effective for pseudo-gynaecomastia. If there is excessive glandular tissue, that tissue may require excisional surgery. That condition is called true gynaecomastia. Breast tissue is dense and fibrous and therefore difficult to penetrate and remove with liposuction cannulas. Most healthy men have a small amount of glandular tissue and a larger proportion of fatty tissue in their breasts. Microcannulas are effective in removing both breast tissue (small amount) and fatty tissue from the normal male breast, however exceptionally dense or a larger area of glandular tissue may require surgical excision with a scalpel and suturing of the nipple skin afterwards. Liposuction is only performed at Be Sculptured.
Liposuction is the most common procedure to remove the excess fatty tissue (pseudo-gynaecomastia) of the male breast. Careful selection of patients after physical examination is required for male breast liposuction, as with any liposuction procedure. The recovery process following liposuction of the male breast requires a compression garment to be worn for the first 10 days after surgery and an elastic binder on top of that for the first 48 hours. Whilst vigorous exercise should be avoided for 3- 4 weeks, many men may return to non-active sedentary work within several days after their procedures. A week off work is advisable for most liposuction procedures. However, it is important to understand that everyone heals at a unique pace.
Who is suitable for Liposculpture to the male breasts?
Some men with enlarged breasts or breasts which have an unusual distribution of fatty tissue or breast tissue.
Who is not suitable for Liposculpture to the male breasts?
If a large proportion of the breast volume is not fat but breast tissue, especially if this is firm, Liposculpture to the breast may be less successful. This is unusual, most men with large breasts may be considered suitable candidates, but individual assessment is necessary. In such cases where men may not be suitable for Liposculpture / Liposuction alone, the breast tissue may be removed through a small incision in the lower section of the nipple. If this is suspected at the time of consultation, referral to another practitioner may be requested. Dr Heckenberg only performs Liposculpture / Liposuction.
Liposculpture isn’t suitable for everyone. Only patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of under 35 will be considered but only after they have been properly assessed during the consultation. Your BMI can be checked using the following online calculator
Smoking increases the level of carbon monoxide in the blood, which deprives tissues of oxygen. Blood supply is a major concern during any surgical procedure. Combining smoking and cosmetic surgery can categorically result in increased pain, loss of skin, infections, death of tissue or fat cells, delayed healing, thick scarring, permanent vessel damage, or blood clots. Smokers should cease smoking 6 weeks prior to the procedure or consider to not have the procedure at all.
Patients with Body Dysmorphia Disorder (BDD) are inappropriate for liposuction / liposculpture or any type of cosmetic surgery or procedure. BDD is a mental illness. People who have this illness constantly worry about the way they look. They may believe an inconspicuous or non-existent physical attribute is a serious defect. They respond to this by performing repetitive acts such as mirror checking or comparing their appearance with others. The severity of BDD varies. For example, some people know their feelings and / or perceptions aren’t rational or justified, while others are almost delusional in their conviction. BDD causes severe emotional distress. It is not just vanity and is not something a person can just ‘forget about’ or ‘get over’. The preoccupation of their appearance can be so extreme that the affected person has trouble functioning at work, school or in social situations. People who suffer from BDD can target any part of the body. They may seek out numerous cosmetic procedures to try to “fix” the perceived flaw. Afterward, they may feel temporary satisfaction or a reduction in distress, but often the anxiety returns and the search for other flaws resumes. Along with ways to “fix” them. Treatment of BDD may include cognitive behavioural therapy and medication after an assessment by a psychiatrist.
Is it permanent?
The reduction in the size of the breasts by removing fat cells, is generally considered permanent, provided that your weight remains stable after the procedure. Not all fat cells are removed with any liposculpture / liposuction procedure. The remaining fat cells can get bigger if a proper diet is not maintained. That is always an important consideration after any liposuction / liposculpture procedure. It is very unlikely that new fat cells develop or regrow.
Are there any scars or changes to the Nipple sensation?
The small access incisions are 3-5mm wide. There are usually 2-3 per side and healing times are variable. They are not sutured after the procedure and the incision scars usually become less obvious with time. Scars may develop over the incision sites (3-5mm) or become darker or lighter in colour or become enlarged but generally they tend to become less obvious with time. Sutures are not required for most incisions and the incision sites act as drainage points post operatively to allow the excess anaesthetic fluid to drain out.
As all the instruments used in this surgery are blunt, there is usually no long-term change to how the nipple feels, however this may take up to a year to regain full sensitivity. It is rare for permanent loss of sensation.
What support garments are required?
A special compressive singlet-like chest garment is used for 10-12 days after the procedure and for the first 2 days, a firm elastic binder is used as well, for extra compression.
How long does the procedure take?
Most breast reduction procedures take approximately 2-3 hours to complete.
How much time do I need to take off?
In general, you should plan on taking a week off work or slightly longer if your work is active. It would be about 3 weeks before normal gym activities or jogging should be restarted.
Please take note
Liposculpture isn’t suitable for everyone. Only patients with a Body Mass Index of under 35 will be considered but only after they have been properly assessed during the consultation. Your BMI can be checked using the following online calculator:
Smoking increases the level of carbon monoxide in the blood, which deprives tissues of oxygen. Blood supply is a major concern during any surgical procedure. Combining smoking and cosmetic surgery can categorically result in increased pain, loss of skin, infections, death of tissue or fat cells, delayed healing, thick scarring, permanent vessel damage, or blood clots. Smokers should cease smoking 6 weeks prior to the procedure or consider to not have the procedure at all.
Patients with body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) are inappropriate for liposuction / liposculpture or any type of cosmetic surgery or procedure. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental illness. People who have this illness constantly worry about the way they look. They may believe an inconspicuous or non-existent physical attribute is a serious defect. They respond to this by performing repetitive acts such as mirror checking or comparing their appearance with others. The severity of BDD varies. For example, some people know their feelings and / or perceptions aren’t rational or justified, while others are almost delusional in their conviction. BDD causes severe emotional distress. It is not just vanity and is not something a person can just ‘forget about’ or ‘get over’.
The preoccupation of their appearances can be so extreme that the affected person has trouble functioning at work, school or in social situations. People who suffer from BDD can target any part of the body. They may seek out numerous cosmetic procedures to try to “fix” their perceived flaw. Afterward, they may feel temporary satisfaction or a reduction in their distress, but often the anxiety returns and the search for other flaws may resume, along with ways to “fix” them. Treatment of BDD may include cognitive behavioural therapy and medication after an assessment by a Psychiatrist.