Enlarged breasts that don’t match your figure can affect women and men. While they may seek breast reduction for separate goals, both male and female breast reduction surgery aims to improve quality of life. Men desire a chiseled, masculine chest contour, while women want breasts that don’t cause painful symptoms from the excess weight. Dr. Georgina Nichols offers breast reduction for women and gynecomastia surgery for men in Sacramento.
How Gynecomastia Surgery Works for Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is a medical condition in which the glandular (breast) tissue overdevelops in men and can affect males of all ages, from newborns to seniors. The condition can be temporary for some, but ongoing symptoms for 12 months or longer may require surgical correction with gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction.
Breast reduction for men removes the excess breast tissue, relieving breast tenderness, nipple sensitivity, and social embarrassment from “man boobs.” Depending on the patient, Dr. Nichols may recommend excision of the glandular tissue through incisions concealed in the areolas, liposuction, or a combination of both. Pseudogynecomastia is caused by excess fat, and liposuction can remove the fatty tissue.
Male breast reduction is a quick procedure that leaves minimal scars. Most men can return to work within a few days, though they must avoid strenuous movements and heavy lifting for several weeks. Gynecomastia is also permanent, addressing the root cause of the enlarged male breasts. (Adolescents may experience additional growth that requires a second procedure).
Men who have gynecomastia surgery experience an increase in self-confidence with a flatter, more masculine chest shape. They enjoy more clothing options and can wear fitted shirts without being self-conscious about their chest.
How Breast Reduction Works for Macromastia
Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) for women decreases breast size in women with macromastia or gigantomastia, medical terms for overly large breasts. The breasts may grow excessively large during puberty or later in life after pregnancy and breastfeeding. A chest that overpowers a woman’s figure can cause chronic pain, breathing and sleeping problems, exercise limitations, poor posture, and skin rashes or infections. Women may have trouble finding clothing that fits their body and their breasts.
Reduction mammoplasty removes the excess glandular tissue and repositions the breasts higher on the chest wall. Dr. Nichols may reduce and relocate the nipples to balance the breast appearance. Female breast reduction requires more incisions than male breast reduction, typically one around the areolas, an incision down to the natural breast crease, and another along the crease. Swimwear and bras can conceal these incision lines. Female breast reduction also requires downtime, including up to three weeks off work and activity restrictions.
Breast reduction is often life-changing for women and offers some lifting benefits. The reduced chest size alleviates upper extremity numbness, tingling, headaches, skin rashes, and other symptoms. Shifting the breast tissue upward and decreasing the weight on the chest improves posture and reduces the tension on the neck and shoulders.
Schedule a consultation with Georgina Nichols, MD, to learn more about your breast reduction options. Contact our Sacramento, California, office at (916) 929-1833.
