Plastic Surgery

(Gynecomastia)

In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to look your best. More and more men are electing to have cosmetic surgery, a trend that studies have shown is tied to career advancement.

One study revealed that 84% of men surveyed believed that physical attractiveness was important for power and success on the job.

Gynecomastia, a medical word from the Greek words for “woman-like breasts,” affects one out of every ten men. Enlarged breasts on young boys
last only a few years and are generally resolved by age 18. Enlarged breasts on a man, however, can be uncomfortable, as well as socially and psychologically devastating.

Gynecomastia may be associated with obesity, hormonal metabolism imbalance, liver disease or medicinal causes. Prior to choosing a sutgical solution to gynecomastia, a period of diet and exercise is recommended. Should that fail, surgical intervention may be indicated.

Is breast reduction surgery for you?

During your conference with your surgeon, explain your goals and expectations of the surgery. Your surgeon will assess the nature of your breasts and the elasticity of your skin to determine the cause of your breast enlargement. It may be caused by fatty tissue and/or glandular tissue.

The doctor or nurse may show you several before and after treatment photographs of patients having similar breasts. Your surgeon will explain the treatment you can expect to receive and the surgical outcome you should anticipate.

What about Pectoral Implants?

Silicone implants for men are referred to as “Pec” implants. They are used to augment the pectoral muscles of a man’s chest. Pec implants can be inserted at the same time as your breast reduction surgery and may add an hour to the procedure.

What is recovery from male breast reduction surgery like?

Bed rest is recommended for the first day. You will experience some pain for several days. For the first few days following your surgery, you will wear surgical dressings which will be exchanged for a special compression garment. This will be worn for about two weeks. Most discomfort associated with breast surgery can be controlled with oral medication prescribed by your surgeon. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. Most men experience some degree of swelling, bruising and tenderness. These symptoms should subside in a short time. Within about 2 weeks, all sutures are removed. Your surgeon will advise you on a proper schedule for returning to your normal activities. Most patients are back to work within the first week.

Following your breast reduction surgery, you will enjoy a new, more pleasing shape. Many of our patients say their surgery enhanced their self-confidence.

If you have been considering male breast reduction surgery, you can always call Dr. Orloff’s  office and arrange a private consultation.

The procedures

Male breast reduction is performed on an out patient basis using a general anesthesia. The procedure can last from one to three hours depending on the extent of correction.

Liposuction

If your gynecomastia is primarily caused by fatty tissue, liposuction is usually the procedure of choice. Liposuction surgery is a procedure used to actually remove unwanted localized deposits of fat cells from the body. A straw-like cannula is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location on the skin. Using a vacuum system attached to the cannula, excess fat cells are sucked out. The result is a resculpting of bulging breasts into more attractive contours.

Traditional Surgical Excision

If your gynecomastia is the result of a glandular disorder, liposuction alone is not likely to be adequate. Traditional surgical excision may be a better option.

The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. Typically, the incision is placed on the edge of the areola (colored area of the nipple) or in the underarm area. Your surgeon will work through these incisions to cut away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin from the breast. If your reduction requires the removal of significant amounts of tissue, larger incisions may be required. If your gynecomastia is extreme, and large amounts of fat and/or glandular tissue have to be removed, excess skin may also have to be excised.

Mirror, Mirror…

Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day, only to be disappointed when you look in the mirror? It can be hard to feel alive and vibrant when the eyes staring back at you look tired and old. Loose skin and bags over and under your eyes make you look more tired and older than you may feel inside. If this has happened to you, you are not alone, AND you can do something about it.

Each year, thousands of men and women  undergo a simple eyelid surgery to help restore a more energetic and youthful appearance. An eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) is a simple procedure performed to correct sagging eyelids, and/or to remove fatty pouches under the eyes and excess skin on the upper eyelids. This procedure can be done alone or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift, brow lift or laser skin resurfacing. Dr. Orloff and his team of trained cosmetic professionals have helped hundreds of men and women enjoy a more youthful and softer appearance through cosmetic surgery. You owe it to yourself to have the eyes looking back from the mirror reflect the youth and happiness you feel inside.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

Patients generally undergo an eyelid surgery as an out-patient procedure. The procedure itself generally takes between one to two hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. The specific technique utilized for this procedure depends on the goals the patient and Dr. Orloff are seeking to accomplish. To correct the upper eyelid, Dr. Orloff places fine incisions in the crease above each eye to remove a thin crescent of excess skin and muscle. The incisions are closed with very fine sutures. To remove the fatty bags under the eyes, incisions are placed just inside the lower eyelid and the fatty deposits under the eyes are removed. The incisions may be closed with absorbable sutures or may be left to heal naturally. To remove excess skin from the lower lids, incisions are placed in the natural smile crease below the lashline.

What About the Recovery?

Dr. Orloff and the patient together decide whether local or general anesthesia will be utilized for eyelid surgery. Following surgery, the area around the eyes will be bruised and swollen for a short period of time. Make-up may be worn to cover any bruising. To help alleviate the swelling, patients should keep their heads up and place cold compresses on their eyes periodically. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be prescribed. To minimize the appearance, the hairline incisions were placed so that the resulting scars would follow the natural contour of the eyelids, and these scars will fade in a short period of time.

The Consultation Appointment

During your initial consultation, Dr. Orloff will discuss with you your specific condition, your desired goals, and the probable outcome of treatment. The doctor and his trained and qualified team members will thoroughly discuss the procedure and let you know what you may expect both with your surgery and the recovery. You will have the opportunity to review several before-and-after photographs of patients having similar concerns as yours, and their surgical outcome. Dr. Orloff may want to take before-and-after photographs of you to document your successful results.

What About Insurance?

Eyelid problems are common, even in younger people, and correcting eyelid problems that interfere with your vision may be covered by your health insurance. However, if the procedure is performed solely for cosmetic benefits, your health insurance may not cover the procedure in whole or in part. Dr. Orloff and his staff will assist you as much as possible while you check with your insurance provider for information on the degree of coverage. They will also be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding payment arrangements.