Miami Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia) Specialist
A male breast reduction (aka gynecomastia surgery or gyno surgery) addresses gynecomastia, which is a condition characterized by excess glandular tissue and fat in the male breast. This condition can affect one or both breasts. Gynecomastia surgery can enrich a man’s life by making him feel more confident about the way he looks and increasing his self-esteem. At The Nathan Clinic in Miami, Dr. Nirmal Nathan performs male breast reduction surgery to remove excess glandular tissue, fat and skin to improve the physical appearance of the male chest.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Male Breast Reduction in Miami?
Men who have overdeveloped, swollen or enlarged breasts that are tender and painful, as well as men with breasts that cause them to feel uncomfortable about participating in activities, may be good candidates for male breast reduction surgery.
The candidate shouldn’t have any condition or illness that could increase his risk of experiencing a surgical complication.
In addition, his excess breast tissue must not be due to the use of a medication or marijuana, or resulting from alcohol consumption.
A man who would like to have gynecomastia surgery must be physically healthy with an acceptable body mass index (BMI). A good BMI is important because a man who has a substantial amount of excess fat may have difficulty healing after surgery.
In addition, to achieve the best results possible, the skin on his breasts should be firm with good elasticity.
What Causes the Development of Gynecomastia?
There are numerous reasons excess breast tissue develops:
- Weight gain, genetics and certain health conditions (e.g., an overactive thyroid) can cause an increase in breast growth.
- Gynecomastia can result from an imbalance between androgen and estrogen hormones. For example, a man with a low testosterone level and excess estrogen, which is the hormone that causes breast growth, can develop this condition.
- Medications that can cause gynecomastia include omeprazole, anabolic steroids and opioids.
- Marijuana and alcohol use can cause an increase in breast tissue.
Potential Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery in Miami
When a man has gynecomastia, he may find it difficult to enjoy a variety of activities and refrain from wearing certain types of clothing. These restrictions can lead to frustration and a feeling of hopelessness. He may even view himself as being trapped inside his body. Many times, men who feel this way benefit from a male breast reduction in Miami.
A Boost in Self-Confidence
Men with gynecomastia frequently feel self-conscious about the way they look. Therefore, one of the most significant benefits of a Miami male breast reduction is its ability to boost a patient’s self-esteem. Many of Dr. Nathan’s patients state that after their surgery, they feel more comfortable interacting with others socially, professionally and personally.
A Sense of Freedom
After gynecomastia surgery, most men feel more confident about taking their shirts off while swimming, participating in outdoor activities, and spending time with their romantic partners. For these reasons, Dr. Nathan’s gynecomastia patients often state that they feel a sense of liberation and freedom following their male breast reduction surgery.
An Overall Improvement in Emotional Well-Being
By increasing a patient’s confidence level, his self-esteem receives a boost. Both of these benefits have a positive effect on his mental health. Therefore, gynecomastia surgery can help a man feel happier and more fulfilled.
How Do They Diagnose Gynecomastia?
Finding out the cause of enlarged male breasts is essential because male breast reduction surgery is only beneficial for patients who have gynecomastia due to excess glandular tissue, skin and fat.
A variety of tests help Miami doctors determine if the patient has gynecomastia, or if some other condition is causing an increase in his breast size.
Some of the conditions with similar symptoms to gynecomastia are:
- Pseudogynaecomastia — some men with a high BMI will accumulate excess fat in their breasts. Although this breast fat is similar to that seen with gynecomastia, it’s not the same.
- Mastitis — is a condition that causes the breast tissue to become inflamed, which can increase breast size. Sometimes this inflammation occurs due to an infection.
- A lipoma — this is a noncancerous, slow-growing lump that consists of fat.
- Breast cancer — men rarely have breast cancer. However, if one breast is larger than the other or a firm lump is present, diagnostic testing is necessary to rule it out.
Diagnostic tests to determine the reason a man has overdeveloped breasts:
- Blood work — to check the patient’s hormone levels and thyroid function. These tests can also help rule out other conditions that cause enlarged breasts (e.g., cirrhosis of the liver).
- A mammogram — can provide the doctor with a detailed view of the tissue in the patient’s breast. A mammogram helps detect breast tissue irregularities.
- A testicular ultrasound — sound waves create images of the patient’s testicles and the tissues around them.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — this machine creates detailed images of breast tissue using radio waves and a magnetic field.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan — this machine takes a series of X-rays from various angles to create cross-sectional images of the breast tissue.
- A tissue biopsy — looks for abnormal cells in breast tissue. This test is usually necessary if imaging tests find an abnormality in the patient’s breast tissue.
Men who receive a gynecomastia diagnosis may be good candidates for a male breast reduction at The Nathan Clinic in Miami. The first step a man can take in moving towards addressing his overdeveloped breasts is scheduling himself a consultation with Dr. Nirmal Nathan.
A Gynecomastia Consultation With Dr. Nathan in Miami
During a patient’s first consultation, Dr. Nathan wants to know what the patient would like him to accomplish with a male breast reduction.
At this initial consultation, patients will need to discuss their:
- General health status.
- Use of herbal supplements, vitamins and medications.
- Previous surgeries.
- Lifestyle habits (e.g., using tobacco products, consuming alcoholic beverages and participating in recreational drug use).
- Familial history of gynecomastia.
It is crucial for the patient to provide accurate information because certain medications, herbal supplements and health conditions can increase his risk of experiencing complications.
The patient should expect Dr. Nathan to examine and measure his breasts. He will also assess their size and shape, and take photographs to place in the patient’s medical record.
Treating Gynecomastia in Miami
Non-Surgical Treatment
Some male patients can reduce their breast size by balancing their hormones with medication (e.g., testosterone replacement therapy) or by discontinuing the use of medications that are causing their breast size to increase. To address these issues, the patient may have to visit his general practitioner or an endocrinologist.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery in Miami
Dr. Nathan recommends gynecomastia surgery when he believes this procedure can improve the contours of a patient’s chest.
Surgical Options To Address Gynecomastia
Whenever possible, Dr. Nathan uses liposuction in and of itself to remove breast fat. Nonetheless, to attain the best results possible, there are times when he must perform a male breast reduction by combining liposuction and tissue excision. For optimal results, some patients also need to have a male breast lift.
If Dr. Nathan recommends gynecomastia surgery, he discusses the outcome the patient can expect, as well as the possible risks and potential complications during the initial consultation.
Male breast reduction surgery takes about two hours.
Liposuction in Miami To Treat Gynecomastia
If prominent nipples are the patient’s main concern, liposuction may be the only procedure he needs.
The Liposuction Procedure
- Before liposuction begins, the patient receives IV sedation and a local anesthetic or general anesthesia.
- The anesthesia and IV sedation cause the patient to fall asleep, ensuring he remains comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Dr. Nathan creates several small incisions near the nipple/areola complex or in the underarm area.
- He injects a solution into the patient’s breast fat. This solution helps loosen the fat, reduces bleeding and numbs the surgical area.
- Dr. Nathan inserts a small, thin, hollow tube (i.e., a cannula) through one of the incisions.
- He strategically moves the tube in the area where he needs to remove the fat. This controlled movement of the cannula breaks up the fat, which makes it easier to remove.
- The cannula connects to a machine that uses suction to pull the excess fat into a receptacle.
- After removing the excess fat, Dr. Nathan closes the incisions with dissolvable stitches.
A Miami Male Breast Reduction With Tissue Excision
If a patient has a surplus of fat and glandular breast tissue, Dr. Nathan can address each of these issues during a male breast reduction with tissue excision in Miami.
Surgical steps for reducing the size of the breast using tissue excision:
- Once the patient is asleep, Dr. Nathan creates small incisions at the edge of his nipple/areola complex or in the natural curve of the crease at the bottom of the breast.
- Through these incisions, Dr. Nathan can strategically remove the patient’s excess fat and glandular tissue to create him a more masculine-looking chest.
- After he removes the fat and glandular tissue, Dr. Nathan uses dissolvable stitches to close the incisions.
Liposuction and Tissue Excision To Address Gynecomastia
Most male breast reduction patients need a combination procedure that includes liposuction with the surgical removal of excess tissue and fat.
During this combination procedure, Dr. Nathan creates small incisions around the patient’s nipple/areola complex and beneath the breast. These incisions allow him to use liposuction and his surgical skills to remove excess fat and tissue. Thus, sculpting the patient a chest that appears more masculine.
A Male Breast Lift in Miami
During a male breast lift in Miami, Dr. Nathan can remove excess skin, reduce the size of the nipple/areola complexes, and then move the complexes to a natural-looking position on the chest.
If possible, when a patient needs a male breast reduction and a lift, Dr. Nathan performs them during the same surgical session.
A Male Breast Lift Following Reduction Surgery in Miami
Once a patient fully recovers from his male breast reduction, he may notice that the skin on his breasts is sagging. His nipple/areola complexes can also appear larger than they should. If this is the case, he might want to consider having a breast lift.
After a Male Breast Reduction, Will Gynecomastia Return?
As long as the diagnostic testing determines the reason the patient developed gynecomastia in the first place, and the patient takes steps to avoid these causes, the likelihood of gynecomastia returning is relatively low.
Issues that could negatively affect a patient’s results include using certain medications (e.g., anabolic steroids), gaining weight, losing weight or developing a hormonal imbalance.
Recovering From a Miami Male Breast Reduction
Following surgery, Dr. Nathan gently bandages the patient’s chest and applies a compression vest. For optimal results, it is vital that the patient wear this vest from six weeks to three months.
For about two weeks, the patient’s chest will feel sore. However, the patient can easily control this discomfort with pain medication. It is also common to experience swelling, bruising and numbness during the first two weeks of recovery.
Most patients return to work and begin socializing publicly about a week after their male breast reduction in Miami.
Physical activity can typically resume at some point between four and six weeks after surgery.
Is Scarring Present After Gynecomastia Surgery?
Since Dr. Nathan is a highly experienced plastic surgeon with exceptional skills and artistic vision, he uses the body’s natural contours and characteristics to camouflage his patients’ surgical incisions. Therefore, any scarring that results is well hidden.
Furthermore, the scars resulting from the incisions Dr. Nathan creates during a male breast reduction will diminish over time. However, to achieve the best results possible, for the six months following surgery, patients must protect their incisions from UV light (e.g., tanning beds and the sun). Exposing the incisions to UV light while they are still pink can cause them to darken, permanently. To prevent their scars from darkening, patients need to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50.
Additionally, Dr. Nathan may recommend that the patient use silicone gel to help the incisions heal and reduce the visibility of the resulting scars.
Final Results of a Male Breast Reduction in Miami
Directly following surgery patients will notice that their breasts are smaller. However, inflammation is likely. Since post-surgical swelling takes from six months to a year to fully subside, it will be some time before patients see their true final results.
Preparing for Gynecomastia Surgery in Miami
Once a patient receives a gynecomastia diagnosis that Dr. Nathan can correct with liposuction or tissue excision, he should begin preparing for surgery.
During the 10 days leading up to their surgery, patients may need to discontinue using or reduce their dose of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, including aspirin. These drugs thin the blood. Therefore, they can cause unnecessary bleeding. Dr. Nathan recommends that his patients speak with their prescribing physicians before they reduce or discontinue the use of these kinds of medications.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also thin the blood, so patients must refrain from taking these types of medications for about a week before their surgery. If necessary, patients can take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) during this time frame.
Patients who use products containing nicotine (e.g., cigarettes and chewing tobacco) need to stop using them four weeks before and after surgery. Dr. Nathan makes this request because nicotine narrows the blood vessels, which can negatively affect the healing process. When blood vessels narrow, the length of time it takes the surgical sites to receive the essential nutrients and oxygen they need to heal increases. Therefore, patients who continue using these products may experience slow healing, which could lead to the development of an infection.
Dr. Nathan needs to know if the patient takes vitamins or any type of herbal supplement. Some of these products can increase inflammation, elevate blood pressure and promote bleeding.
Patients must refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages for at least a week before their gynecomastia surgery and a week after because alcohol can cause additional inflammation, which may increase the patient’s discomfort as he heals.
Some patients may need to drop some excess weight before they have their male breast reduction.
Since patients receive anesthesia during their male breast reduction procedure, they are unable to drive themselves home afterward. Therefore, patients must arrive at the hospital or surgery center with a driver. Patients should also have someone who can remain with them overnight.
Dr. Nathan cares about his patients’ safety, which is why for-hire transportation of any kind is not an acceptable option for transport following a procedure that requires general anesthesia or IV sedation. Patients who neglect to bring a driver with them on the day of their surgery will need to reschedule their male breast reduction.
Furthermore, following anesthesia or sedation, patients are unable to drive for at least 24 hours. This restriction is in place because these medications can negatively affect an individual’s response time. Thus, increasing the potential for an accident. In addition, patients who are taking prescription pain medication cannot drive until they are no longer taking them.
Potential Complications Associated With Gynecomastia Surgery
A male breast reduction has the same risks as other surgical procedures. Although complications from gynecomastia surgery are rare with an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Nirmal Nathan, patients must always consider potential complications before having any elective surgery.
The risks of surgery include:
- Excess bleeding.
- Infection.
- A complication related to IV sedation or general anesthesia.
- Visible scarring.
- Pain.
- Numbness.
Patient Safety Is Always Top Priority
To ensure his patients’ safety while performing procedures that require general anesthesia or IV sedation, Dr. Nathan has operating privileges at several accredited surgery centers and hospitals in the Miami area. By performing his operations at these facilities, he ensures that his patients receive their IV sedation with local anesthesia or general anesthesia from board-certified anesthesiologists.
How Much Is a Male Breast Reduction in Miami?
Every patient is unique. Therefore, the only way Dr. Nirmal Nathan can determine how much a patient’s surgery costs is with a consultation.
Will Insurance Cover Surgery for Gynecomastia?
Most of the time, health insurance does not cover surgery to address gynecomastia. Nonetheless, if determined to be medically necessary, health insurance may cover some of the charges associated with a male breast reduction procedure in Miami. For this reason, Dr. Nathan recommends that his patients contact their insurance company to ask about coverage.
If you’re in Miami, or one of its surrounding communities, and you are struggling with gynecomastia, Dr. Nirmal Nathan may be able to help. As a board-certified, top plastic surgeon in Florida, Dr. Nathan’s experience and artistic vision allow him to provide gynecomastia surgery results that appear completely natural. To learn more about a male breast reduction in Miami, contact Dr. Nathan’s Clinic today at 305-330-8880. The Nathan Clinic’s address is 4770 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 830.
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