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Chest Reduction
The Operation
Day of Chest Reduction Surgery
Important factors to be fully aware of before a chest reduction operation are:
1. Driving
Do not drive home after a chest reduction operation because it is against the law to drive within 24 hours of a general anaesthetic. You will need to arrange for transport to take you to and from the hospital.
2. Eating & Drinking
Abstain from all food and drink (including sweets and water) for at least 8 hours before your chest reduction operation.
3. Body Jewellery
Ensure all body piercings and jewellery is removed before you leave home.
You will need to bring with you:
• All necessary personal items for a short hospital stay (e.g. dressing gown, slippers, toothbrush, etc).
• All medications that you are currently taking including any/all alternative medicine/preparations/tablets/capsules.
When you arrive at the hospital you will be met by the admitting officer who will confirm your personal details (e.g. name, address, next of kin, etc) before escorting you to your room.
Once you have changed into an operating gown, you will then be required to complete a questionnaire to ascertain your current medical status.
A nurse will then complete final routine preoperative checks measuring your temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Patients over 40 years of age will have an ECG (electrocardiogram) which monitors your heart and evaluates your fitness for surgery. Any medication/s you are currently taking must be given to the nurse.
The operating surgeon will then see you to answer any final questions/queries you may have about the chest reduction procedure before taking preoperative photographs of your breasts and making the necessary skin markings.
Finally, the anaesthetist will see you to complete the final checks before he administers the general anaesthetic. You will then be taken into the operating theatre for your chest reduction operation.
The Chest Reduction Operation
A male chest reduction operation usually takes about an hour to complete and is performed under general anaesthetic.
Depending upon the cause of your enlarged breasts the respective technique will be adopted by the surgeon:
1. Increase in Glandular (Breast) Tissue (Gynaecomastia)
An incision is made at the periphery (edge) of the areola (usually between 3 and 9 o’clock) and the tissue is resected (cut out). Once the required amount of tissue has been removed, the incision is closed with a dissolvable stitch. Drains (thin tubes) are sited under the skin to drain any fluids (blood, serum) which are produced immediately following surgery.
A pressure dressing is applied and a support garment is fitted.
2. Increase in Fatty Tissue (Pseudogynaecomastia)
The excess fat is removed by liposuction. Tiny incisions are made below the breast and in the midline of the chest at its lower extremity. The area is infiltrated with saline solution which contains local anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor (blood vessel compressing) agent which facilitates fat removal, decreases intra and postoperative bleeding and reduces postoperative pain and discomfort. A blunt metal cannula (surgical tube) is inserted and sucks out the excess fat in layers using a high negative pressure pump.
Once all the excess fat is removed, the incisions are closed with stitches. A pressure dressing is applied and a support garment is fitted.
3. Increase in both Glandular and Fatty Tissue
This is a combination of procedures 1 and 2 above. The fatty tissue is removed by liposuction first before the glandular tissue is resected (cut out).
A pressure dressing is applied and a support garment is fitted.
To find out more about Chest Reduction Surgery, click on any of the links below:
Chest Reduction - Before The Operation
Chest Reduction - After The Operation
Chest Reduction FAQs
Chest Reduction Gallery
or
Click here to download London Cosmetic Surgery Centre's "Guide to Chest Reduction"
