There cannot be a surgical procedure for gynecomastia without first having an in-depth consultation. It is key to achieving the best outcomes because it allows your surgeon to learn about your objectives, to ensure that you can safely undergo a surgical intervention, and to measure the extent of your condition.
Knowing what you are hoping to achieve is quite important because it is the foundation upon which the surgeon can discuss with you the feasibility of your goals. Combined with the ultrasound scan measurements and a review of before and after photos of similar past patients, you will have a good understanding of likely outcomes, and this will help you in the decision making process.
Your surgeon does an ultrasound scan during the consultation because it provides a precise understanding of the structure of muscle, fat, and glandular tissue beneath your skin. She uses the information to formulate the surgical plan for the amount of glandular tissue to be removed by excision, the amount of fat aspirated by liposuction, and the amount of excess skin to remove.
The consultation also allows the surgeon to explain all the details of preparation for surgery, and the post-operative protocols the patient will need to follow to achieve the best possible outcome.
To ensure safety, it is important to discuss the aspects of the patient’s medical history that could affect surgery. This includes questions about general health, allergies, medications being used, and previous surgeries. Patients will also be asked about personal lifestyle choices that could affect post-surgical healing, such as their use of tobacco and alcohol.
The examination is used to assess the general extent of the patient’s gynecomastia condition. It includes an evaluation of skin elasticity and muscle tone. Additional physical measurements such as weight, height, and circumferences are made so that the size of the compression garment and the doses of surgical drugs can be determined.
The scan is used to confirm the gynecomastia diagnosis, and to precisely determine the thickness and extent of the glandular tissues and fat to be removed. It also provides key information about skin layer thickness and underlying muscular asymmetries that will help the surgeon manage aesthetic contours during and after the procedure.
Once the examination and ultrasound scan have been completed, the surgeon will have a good understanding of potential outcomes. She uses this to propose a surgical plan and any options to the patient. The plan is illustrated with before and after photo examples from past patients having had similar grades of gynecomastia and body types. This process will help the patient better understand likely outcomes and to make the best informed decision about whether this type of surgery will meet his expectations.
Every surgical procedure has some risk. Generally, gynecomastia is low risk because it is performed under local anaesthesia. However, it is important to carefully monitor for post-operative infection. In more severe cases of gynecomastia, the repositioning of the aurealas is often needed to achieve an aesthetic outcome. However, in these cases, there can be a loss of sensitivity or a slight inversion of the nipples. In very severe cases there can also be nipple necrosis that could potentially lead to nipple loss (although this is very rare). Your surgeon will cover any specific risks with you in detail.
The cost of the procedure will be mainly dependent on the severity of the patient’s condition. The volumes of glandular tissue and fat to be removed is the primary factor. Other considerations are the potential resizing or repositioning of the aureolas, and the removal of excess skin. All of these factors affect the amount of time and staff needed to perform the procedure. The types and quantities of drugs, and the specific single-use surgical instruments required also contribute to the total cost.
Quite a bit of information is covered during the consultation, and so a written document is provided to the patient so that he can easily refer back to it. Generally, for aesthetic procedures (such as gynecomastia), best practices recommend that the patient take a two-week cooling off period before making their final decision. This is not a compulsory requirement because some patients may have already had consultations with a several surgeons, and have had sufficient time.
Understand everything you need to know about surgery, the medical staff and their roles, and how long it typically takes.
Find out how long it takes and what you’ll need to do during the recovery period, the aftercare you’ll get from the GSC, and how much down time should be expected.
Discuss your goals and find out about outcomes for your personal case of gynecomastia.
