GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY

If you are experiencing any of the following, you may be an ideal candidate for gynecomastia surgery:

• Swelling of the chest that’s resistant to diet and exercise
• Hard (sometimes painful) nodules in the chest
• Asymmetry of the chest
• Negative impact on social interaction or self esteem as a result of the above

In addition, Dr. Jason will only perform gynecomastia surgery on patients who meet the following criteria:

• Are in good health
• Do not smoke
• Are able to avoid any blood-thinning medications for several weeks
• Have been cleared for surgery by a primary care physician
• Have reasonable expectations and aesthetic goals

Gynecomastia is very common in the U.S. It’s estimated that the condition affects somewhere between 50-65% of American men to some degree.

Sometimes (particularly in adolescent males), gynecomastia resolves on its own. Persistent gynecomastia, however, likely requires surgery to correct the condition.

More men than ever are seeking treatment for gynecomastia – reclaiming their self confidence through a relatively minor procedure. Contact Dr. Jason’s office at 310-825-8827 or book a consultation online to see if gynecomastia surgery is right for you.

When searching for the best gynecomastia surgeon to perform your surgery, Dr. Roostaeian advises you to consider several key factors:

1. Credentials and Certifications: Research your prospective gynecomastia surgeon online – not just on their website, but on industry credentialing sites such as www.surgery.org, which lists board certified plastic surgeons. Do not choose a cosmetic surgeon who is a member of the ABCS – they do not receive the extensive training and oversight that plastic surgeons do. Look for plastic/cosmetic surgeons like Dr. Roostaeian, who are ABPS and ASAPS members.
2. Before and After Photos: The doctor you choose to perform your gynecomastia surgery should be happy to show you an extensive array of standardized before and after photographs. Scrutinize them carefully, making sure the lighting is consistent and the various views are shown with detail. View enough gynecomastia surgery pictures to determine whether or not the work is of high quality, with an aesthetic that matches your personal goals. Dr. Jason strives to provide patients with the highest quality of standardized gynecomastia photographs so you can feel confident in your choice. Click here to view Dr. Jason’s gallery of before and after gynecomastia photos. [LINK]
3. Office and Surgery Facility: Before choosing an aesthetic surgeon to perform your gynecomastia surgery, closely evaluate the office staff, as well as the surgery facility. All of the staff should be helpful and friendly, and pleased to provide you with detailed information about their operating rooms and equipment. Dr. Jason and his staff are proud to be affiliated with UCLA, world renowned for state-of-the-art surgical facilities and patient care. Click to learn more about our top-ranked hospital.[LINK]
4. Personal Connection: Seeing eye to eye with your gynecomastia surgeon is just as important as assessing their operating skills. Plastic surgery is a very personal endeavor, and Dr. Jason strongly believes in creating a connection with all of his patients prior to heading into the OR. 

Click to read Dr. Jason’s blog post How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon.

Gynecomastia surgery costs vary considerably from patient to patient. The exact cost of gynecomastia surgery will depend on the complexity of your procedure, and whether or not you plan to combine your surgery with other procedures. You will receive a written quote following your consultation.

Yes, gynecomastia surgery can be combined with other procedures of the face or body, however the total length of anesthesia should generally not exceed 6-8 hours for elective procedures. Take advantage of your consultation time to discuss with Dr. Jason any questions or concerns you might have. Together, you can decide whether additional procedures may help meet your aesthetic goals.

Dr. Jason advises that in order to achieve the best possible result in body contouring it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This should be started before surgery so that you can keep it going after surgery. Although you will have to take a break from exercise for a few weeks during your recovery, it important to maintain a well-balanced diet. Many of Dr. Jason’s patients are more motivated by their new body shape following surgery and want to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

It’s important to note, however, that gynecomastia is not strictly extra fat in the chest. Rather, it’s an excess of breast tissue (often combined with fat) caused by a hormonal imbalance. No amount of diet and exercise can reverse true gynecomastia.

When preparing for a gynecomastia procedure, follow all instructions issued by Dr. Roostaeian, his office, and the staff at the UCLA Surgery Center. These guidelines include, but are not limited to:

• No food or drink prior to surgery
• Shower/cleanse the area prior to coming in for surgery
• Avoid certain drugs and supplements before and after surgery
• Arrange transportation
• Ensure you will have help around the house for the first few days
• Obtain prescription and non-prescription medications ahead of time, including pain meds
• Choose to wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Plan out sleeping and resting arrangements (Which side of the bed is easiest to navigate to/from? Do I have enough pillows to make sleep/rest comfortable?)
• Have frequently used items handy – you won’t be able to lift or strain right away

You’ll see the final results of your gynecomastia surgery after about six weeks, when all swelling has subsided. For gynecomastia surgery scars to fully mature, however, it takes at least 6 months to a year. Over this time you will see your scars become barely visible, they will lighten in color and become softer to the touch.

After a gynecomastia procedure with Dr. Jason Roostaeian, the majority of the swelling will likely subside within a week while some mild swelling may persist for a few more weeks. Within one week after surgery you will visit Dr. Jason as a follow up so he can check on your healing and answer any questions.

Patients who require only liposuction during their gynecomastia surgery can expect their incisions to heal and become virtually invisible within about three months following their procedure.

Your incisions will be healed and you can return to most activities by 6 weeks. Full activities such as strenuous workouts, running, etc. is best to wait until 3 months, when your scars have achieved full strength. Over the next 6 months to one year, you will see your scars become barely visible, they will lighten in color and become softer to the touch.

For the first 2 weeks following gynecomastia surgery with Dr. Roostaeian, you want to avoid straining (lifting anything more than 5 lbs), or getting your heart rate/blood pressure up as this can lead to bleeding. After 2-3 weeks you should avoid mechanical forces that will stress or put tension on your healing incisions for 3 months. This means you should avoid high impact activities that lead to excessive movement of your body, such a running.  Listen to what your body is telling you at all times, for instance stop the workout if you experience any new discomfort. Remember, getting plenty of rest and reducing your overall activity will give you time to heal and speed up your recovery.

Please visit Dr. Jason’s male cosmetic surgery gallery to view examples of gynecomastia scars.

Dr. Jason will perform your gynecomastia procedure  at UCLA’s state of the art outpatient surgery center that provides an unparalleled level of safety. US News has ranked the UCLA Medical Center among the top 5 hospitals in the country for more than 20 years.  Following your procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will be monitored  by UCLA’s excellent nurses for 2-3 hours until you are cleared to return home.

You can take a shower after 2 days but baths, swimming, or soaking of your incisions should be avoided for 4 weeks.

Some patients require prescription narcotics for a day or so after surgery, but many find the pain quite manageable with over the counter pain medications. You can drive if you’re not taking prescription narcotics and most feel up for it 1-2 weeks after surgery. You can return to work within 1-2 weeks as long as it doesn’t require any significant physical activity or lifting.

It really depends on what you do for work. If you have a desk job you can typically return to work after 2 weeks. If your profession is more physically demanding, Dr. Jason recommends waiting at least 3 weeks before returning to work. Remember, you do not want to strain or lift anything that weighs more than five pounds for the first 2 weeks after surgery.

Patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle will enjoy the result of their gynecomastia procedure for decades. Significant increases in weight, however, may affect the appearance of the chest.