Gynecomastia Treatment in Chesterfield, MO

Restore a more defined chest contour with gynecomastia surgery at Chesterfield Plastic Surgery

Gynecomastia can cause excess male breast tissue that makes men feel self-conscious about their chest and avoid certain clothing or social situations. At Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scott Geiger and Dr. John Hulsen provide gynecomastia surgery to reduce excess tissue and create a flatter, more defined chest.

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WHAT IS GYNECOMASTIA?

Gynecomastia is the enlargement of male breast tissue, typically caused by an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. It can affect one or both breasts and may develop during infancy, puberty, adulthood, or later in life. Gynecomastia can involve glandular breast tissue, excess fat, or a combination of both, which helps determine the appropriate treatment approach.

QUICK FACTS:

Length: 1.5-3 hours
Anesthesia: General
Length of Stay: Overnight stay or Outpatient, same-day surgery
Recovery: 1-2 weeks
Side Effects: Bruising, swelling, numbness, asymmetries.

GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY CAN:

Decrease the size and projection of the breasts
Remove excess skin from the breast and chest wall
Reposition the nipples to an appropriate level
Remove firm, fibrous tissue
Improve chest wall appearance and patient confidence

CANDIDATES FOR GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY

Gynecomastia surgery may be appropriate for men who have persistent excess breast tissue that does not improve with weight loss or lifestyle changes. Candidates may have:

Excess glandular breast tissue, chest fat, or both
Enlarged breasts that have remained stable over time
Good overall health and a stable weight
Realistic expectations for surgical results
Self-consciousness about chest appearance or difficulty wearing certain clothing

A consultation with Dr. Scott Geiger or Dr. John Hulsen can help determine whether gynecomastia surgery is appropriate and whether excess tissue, fat, or both are contributing to the chest enlargement.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR CONSULTATION

Gynecomastia can have several components, including too much skin, breast tissue, or fatty tissue. During your consultation in Chesterfield, MO, your surgeon will discuss when the enlargement started, how long it has been present, and how it has varied over time. They will inquire about medication use, weight changes, and liver, kidney, and thyroid disease. You may need to have your neck, abdomen, and testicles examined along with the chest area.

The breast tissue will be assessed for the amount of fatty to firm tissue, excess skin, asymmetries, and adjacent areas of concern, including the outer chest wall and arms. Your surgeon may need to order some additional testing before proceeding with surgical correction.

Our surgeons incorporate a variety of techniques as a customized approach to each patient. This includes liposuction, fat grafting, and excisional surgery. Patients with good skin quality and mild fullness may benefit from liposuction only.

Other patients with more advanced gynecomastia may need the extra skin excised and the nipples repositioned. Fat grafting to the upper and inner breast can be performed to enhance the pectoralis muscle outline if desired. Compression vests are an important part of postoperative recovery and will be discussed at your consultation.

PREPARING FOR GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY

Smoking and all nicotine cessation are recommended for at least 2-4 weeks before this procedure, as significant wound healing complications can occur otherwise. This includes e-cigarettes, patches, and gum.

Any medications and supplements that cause an increased risk of bleeding should also be stopped 2 weeks before any major surgery. Please see our list of medications and supplements to avoid. As always, make sure to check with your doctor before stopping any medications.

GYNECOMASTIA PROCEDURE STEPS

In the preoperative area, your surgeon in Chesterfield, MO will place detailed surgical markings on your breasts and chest wall for planned liposuction, incisions, and/or fat grafting as appropriate. Procedures are usually performed under general anesthesia.

Liposuction will be performed through tiny stab incisions only ¼” to ½” long in the armpit, areola, or breast fold as needed. Any residual firm tissue will be excised through an incision usually hidden along the areola border (the pigmented flat part of the nipple complex). A small extension may be needed depending on the size of the areolas. If significant excess skin removal is needed, the nipples may be detached from the chest wall, and a mastectomy will be performed.

The incisions will be meticulously closed along the breast fold with special absorbable sutures. A medical skin glue will be placed on top of this to seal out bacteria. Thin surgical drain tubes may or may not be placed to help remove any fluid during your healing process. You will be placed in a postoperative compressive vest that needs to be worn at all times other than bathing for the first 2 weeks, and nightly for an additional 2 weeks.

RECOVERY FROM GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY

Gynecomastia surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis or with an overnight stay if combined with other procedures.

Patients will have some discomfort, but typically this procedure is not overly painful.

Drainage tubes (if used) are removed within 1-2 weeks when the daily fluid output has decreased to acceptable levels. Plan to take 1-2 weeks off of work. Light exercise can typically be resumed in 2-3 weeks, with a return to full activities in 4-6 weeks. It takes a little time for the chest tissues to settle in and the swelling to go down.

There will be an immediate improvement noticed, with ongoing maturation over 2-4 months. Our surgeons use special plastic surgery techniques to keep your scars as faint and thin as possible. Most remain quite hidden and fade well within 1 year with ongoing good scar care.

How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

The cost of gynecomastia surgery varies based on the amount and type of tissue being treated, the surgical technique required, and whether liposuction or additional procedures are needed. During a consultation at Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scott Geiger or Dr. John Hulsen can evaluate your chest and provide a procedure-specific cost estimate.

TRUSTED EXPERTISE IN CHESTERFIELD, MO

Dr. Scott Geiger and Dr. John Hulsen are board-certified plastic surgeons at Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, an established practice serving Chesterfield and the greater St. Louis area. Men considering gynecomastia surgery have the opportunity to be evaluated by the surgeons who perform the procedure, allowing the treatment plan to be based directly on the extent and type of excess breast tissue present.

Their plastic surgery expertise and focus on male chest contouring help address gynecomastia with an approach designed for a flatter, proportional chest rather than simply reducing breast volume.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Typically not, unless performed as a symmetry procedure after a male breast cancer is removed from the other breast. Most gynecomastia surgeries are considered cosmetic in nature and performed to improve appearance. Thus, they incur out-of-pocket expenses.

Absolutely. Many men choose to have additional liposuction performed elsewhere concurrently. Other common procedures include excision of excess outer chest wall and back skin, as well as an arm lift (brachioplasty).

Yes. Incisions are necessary to remove excess glandular tissue and, when needed, excess skin. The location and extent of scarring depend on the surgical technique and the amount of tissue being removed.

Gynecomastia surgery removes excess breast tissue and fat to create a flatter chest. The treated tissue is not expected to return, although significant weight changes or hormonal changes can affect the appearance of the chest.

Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting need to be limited during the initial recovery period. Your surgeon will advise when you can gradually return to specific activities.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Contact Chesterfield Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation for your gynecomastia in Chesterfield, MO. We will take the time to guide you through the entire process, ensuring results that fully satisfy your aesthetic needs. Contact us today!