• Home
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction)

Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction)

Gynecomastia, a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men, can occur at any age. The condition is more common than people realize, affecting 1 in 3 men across the country. At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, male breast reduction helps men in Wisconsin from Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Neenah, and Sheboygan feel confident in all physical situations. Gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size, flattening and enhancing the chest contours.

Dr. David Janssen and Dr. William Doubek are experts in gynecomastia surgery. Our Wisconsin plastic surgeons are helping men perfect their personal Renaissance. To find out how they can help you, request your consultation in either the Oshkosh or Appleton office using our online form or contact us at (920) 233-1540. The non-refundable $100 cosmetic consultation fee can be applied towards the cost of the procedure.

Pricing

In general, gynecomastia with bud removal and liposuction costs approximately $9600. If only the buds need to be removed, or only liposuction is required, deduct $2000. The price includes the surgeon’s fee, the facility fee at the Theda Care Surgery Center, and anesthesia. The pricing is subject to change, and will change if the surgery is done at another facility, and if there are unique circumstances surrounding the surgery, etc. Some patients may be able to have this procedure done in the office. If so, the cost would be approximately $7500.

The use of Strataderm® immediately after wound closure and for several weeks afterwards, is highly recommended for optimal healing. Stratamed is the first film-forming silicone gel-based wound dressing approved for the use on open wounds and compromised skin. Depending on the length of the incision, a tube of Stratamed® costs $32-$54.

Usually there are multiple procedure discounts for cosmetic procedures: 15% off the surgeon’s fee for the 2nd cosmetic procedure, and 30% off the surgeon’s fee for the 3rd procedure. The operating room fee is discounted 50% for the 2nd+ procedure, while anesthesia is based solely on time. Although there are zero interest financing options available through Care Credit and Alphaeon Credit, payment by cash gives an additional 5% discount. There may be additional discounts, which are too varied to be mentioned here.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia, which can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity, or the use of certain drugs, is a medical condition characterized by:

• Excess localized fat
• Overdeveloped glandular tissue
• Sometimes excess breast skin
• Presence unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)

In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.

Dr. Janssen has written an article about gynecomastia and male breast reduction surgery here.

Best Candidates

Gynecomastia surgery candidates include:

• Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers and non-drug users
• Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia
• Men who are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
• Men who have realistic expectations
• Men whose breast development has stabilized
• Men who are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large

Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.

Procedure

Anesthesia is administered for the patient’s comfort during the procedure. The surgeon or anesthesiologist will recommend the best option for the patients. Gynecomastia surgery can be performed using the liposuction technique, the excision technique, or a combination of both.

In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction.

Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference.

Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision. Drs. Janssen and Doubek have expertise in assessing the severity of the gynecomastia condition, which may range from protruding nipples to the formation of A-, B- or C-cup size breasts. They will determine the best method to improve the appearance of male breasts. Discuss your gynecomastia options with the experienced surgeons of Fox Valley Plastic Surgery. Contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery today at (920) 233-1540 to schedule a consultation.

Preparing for Surgery

Patients may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

The success and safety of the procedure depends very much on complete candidness during the consultation. Patients will be asked a number of questions about their health, desires, and lifestyle.

Male breast reduction surgery may be performed in an accredited, office-based surgical facility, licensed ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Patients need to arrange for someone to drive them to and from surgery and to stay with them for at least the first night following surgery.

Meet Our Surgeons

Dr. David Janssen and Dr. William Doubek combine experience, refined surgical techniques, and artistry to produce beautiful results for their plastic and reconstructive surgery patients.

Meet Dr. Janssen Meet Dr. Doubek

Request a Consultation Meet the Doctors Meet the Staff Patient Stories Videos & Media Photo Gallery Request a Consultation Upcoming Seminars

Recovery

After surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions and an elastic bandage or support garment may be used to minimize swelling and support the new chest contour as it heals after surgery. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect. Patients will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site, and when to follow up with the office.

While most incision lines are concealed within natural contours, some may be visible and are a necessary result of male breast reduction surgery. The surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Another surgery may be necessary to perform additional tightening or repositioning of the breasts, or to treat any complications which may occur.

Results from gynecomastia surgery are immediately visible and usually permanent. The final results of gynecomastia surgery will appear over the next few months as post-surgical swelling subsides and incision lines fade. If gynecomastia resulted from the use of certain prescription medications, drugs (including steroids), or weight gain, the patient must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight in order to maintain the results.

The ability to return to work at a desk job depends on a patient’s individual healing ability, pain tolerance and motivation. Gynecomastia surgery patients typically take off 1-2 days before returning to a desk job. Depending on the specifics on the procedure, a patient can have a quick recovery period.

To learn more about gynecomastia, contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery today at (920) 233-1540 to schedule a consultation.

Potential Risks

Patients will sign consent forms to ensure that they fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications. Gynecomastia surgery risks include:

• Reactions to tape, suture materials, glues, topical preparations or injected agents
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots
• Breast asymmetry
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation may be temporary or permanent
• Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs – can occur and may be temporary or permanent
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fatty tissue found in the breast might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Infection
• Persistent pain
• Poor wound healing
• Possibility of revision
• Unfavorable scarring

Consultation

You can now have a VIRTUAL CONSULTATION via Doxy.me with Dr. Janssen. This encrypted telemedicine system is an easy-to-use online tool that allows you to schedule a HIPAA compliant video call with no download required. Please call the office at 920-233-1540 or email us at [email protected] for instructions on how to proceed.

Like an in-office visit, we will usually need your 1) demographics, 2) insurance information (if applicable), 3) area(s) of concern, 4) photos of the area(s) of concern, and 5) complete health history. We’re here for you more than ever.

Candidates for gynecomastia surgery should be prepared to discuss at the consultation:

• Surgical goals
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and recreational drug use (including steroids)
• Previous surgeries

The surgeon may also:

• Evaluate the patient’s general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Perform diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of gynecomastia
• Examine the breasts and take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, and placement of the nipples and areolas
• Take photographs for medical records
• Discuss options
• Recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of gynecomastia correction and any risks or potential complications
• Discuss the use of anesthesia during the procedure

If you would like to explore whether male breast reduction is right for you, request a consultation online or contact Fox Valley Plastic Surgery in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, today at (920) 233-1540.  The non-refundable $100 cosmetic consultation fee can be applied towards the cost of the procedure.  Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Janssen and Dr. Doubek are helping men from all over the upper Midwest to perfect their personal Renaissance.