Dr Stanley Okoro offers customized plastic cosmetic procedures at his private practice locations in Atlanta and Austell. He has an extensive experience in cosmetic & reconstructive surgery of the breast, body, and face.
Meet Dr. Okoro
Do you have enlarged male breast or Gynecomastia? Atlanta and Marietta trust the skilled and experienced professionals at Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for male breast surgery.
Male breast reduction is an operation performed to correct overdeveloped or enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia. Gynecomastia, enlargement of the male breast, occurs at times of male hormonal change during infancy, adolescence and old age. This common condition afflicts men of varying age, and most adolescent cases resolve spontaneously with time. Gynecomastia can involve one or both breasts, and the enlarged breast may feel tender and painful at times. Certain drug can cause male breast enlargement but gynecomastia is most often due to an unknown cause. Once longstanding, most males seek treatment for breast enlargement to avoid embarrassment and restore normal male chest contours. Surgical results are excellent in the hands of a properly trained plastic surgeon such as Dr. Okoro.
For men who think that they need changes in their appearance, the procedure of male breast reduction can help. It removes fat and/or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in special cases removes unnecessary skin, making a chest firmer. Liposuction of the male breast is one of the four areas on men most commonly treated by liposuction. The other areas are the abdomen, flanks, and facial liposuction. Men with excessive fat in their breasts are good candidates for liposuction.
If you are thinking about a procedure that can correct gynecomastia, the following information can give you a basic information about this process, results and the things that you can expect. It will not answer all your questions because many things depend on the individual and other aspects. Anything that you do not understand you can ask Dr Okoro.
Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of the male breast resulting from a proliferation of the glandular component of the breast. Gynecomastia is the most common reason for male breast evaluation. The condition is common in infancy and adolescence, as well as in middle-aged to older adult males. Gynecomastia is usually caused by changes in hormones at birth, puberty or as part of aging. Gynecomastia may be caused by changes in the balance of 2 hormones: estrogen and testosterone. In adults, the balance of hormones may be affected by:
Male breast operations can be performed for men of different age who are physically and emotionally healthy. Patients who have elastic and firm skin can expect the best results. For men who have overweight and did not try to improve their state with physical exercises this operation is not recommended. In addition, people who drink many alcohol and smoke marijuana usually cannot expect good results. The reason for gynecomastia can be the same drugs and different anabolic steroids. Before choosing an operation as an option in solving this problem patients are recommended to stop using these drugs in order to see if this will lessen breast fullness.
During your first visit to your surgeon he will examine your breasts and try to find the reasons for the gynecomastia. If the reason is one of the causes mentioned above (alcohol, drugs, anabolic steroids) you will be referred to a specialist. In some cases, Dr Okoro can recommend a mammogram or breast x-ray. A very important aspect is that treatment of gynecomastia may be covered by medical insurance however, there are some policies that do not cover this condition. You have to find out about these policies as much as you can and then, consult with Dr Okoro.
Dr Okoro will give you some instructions about the process of preparation for your operation. He will explain that there are certain limitations associated with eating, drinking or taking certain vitamins before this operation. People who smoke have to stop 4 weeks before the operation. Smoking can make the process of healing much longer. Also, following the instructions that your surgeon has given is very important.
Male breast reduction very often is performed as an outpatient procedure. In rare cases, an overnight hospital is needed. This procedure usually takes about an hour or an hour and a half. In some cases it can take longer.
The procedure of correcting enlarged male breasts can be made by using a general, or sometimes, local anesthesia in combination with sedation. Under this anesthesia you will be not asleep but you will not feel any pain. Longer operations can be performed under general anesthesia, it allows patient to sleep during all operation. Dr Okoro will discuss the type of chosen anesthesia with you and explain the reasons why this and not other type have been chosen.
Male breast reduction surgery is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by most health insurance. However, rarely it may be covered by some health insurance when it is performed to relieve medical symptoms. However, pre-certification is required for reimbursement or coverage. Each insurance policy varies greatly. Carefully review your policy to determine coverage. If your insurance does not cover male breast reduction, we can help you arrange financing for your surgery.
If the tissue is more fatty in nature, liposuction can provide excellent results. In some people, ultrasonic assisted liposuction is an excellent approach. During liposuction, a small suction rod (cannula) is inserted into the incision to remove fat and other tissue. Dr. Okoro has been very successful in using only liposuction in many patients. However, a small number of patients will require surgical excision.
If excess glandular tissue is the main reason of the breast enlargement usually it will be excised or cut out. The excision can be done together with liposuction or alone. In most cases, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location – on the edge of the areola or in the under arm zone. In this case, Dr Okoro cuts away the excess glandular tissue, fat and skin around the areola. If liposuction is used for this procedure, the cannula is inserted through the existing incisions. In special cases when a big amount of fat or glandular tissue is removed, skin may not adjust to the new breast contour. Then, unnecessary skin can be removed to adjust to the new breast contour.
It does not matter if you had an excision with a scalpel or liposuction, you will feel a small discomfort for a few days after your operation. Nevertheless, discomfort can be controlled with medications that are prescribed by Dr Okoro. For some time you will be swollen and bruised. To reduce swelling, you can wear an elastic pressure garment for a week or two. However, it may be three months or more before the final results of your surgery will be in a perfect shape. It is important to start walking as soon as you able to do it. In general, it will take about a month before you are ready to all of your usual activities. You have to avoid exposing the scars to the sun for a six months. Sunlight can affect the skin’s pigmentation and make the scar turn dark.
Dr. Okoro has extensive experience with male breast correction surgery due to his long service with members of the United States Navy, Marines, & other armed forces. To achieve the best results, Dr. Okoro usually combines liposuction with excisional techniques. Male breast is one of the four areas on men most commonly treated by liposuction. The other areas are the abdomen, flanks, and facial liposuction. Men with excessive fat in their breasts are good candidates for liposuction. Depending on the characteristics of the breast tissue, Dr. Okoro excises dense breast tissue through a small semicircular incision around the areola and he performs liposuction to sculpt and contour the surrounding soft tissue. The best result in male breast reduction surgery comes from surgical art, experience, and judgment.
To determine if you are a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery, Dr. Okoro will review your health history and perform an examination during your consultation. He will also take preoperative photos during your visit. During the consultation, Dr. Okoro will understand your goals and desires and he will review available techniques for treatment. Male breast reduction surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. We instruct all gynecomastia patients to wear compression vests and to avoid strenuous upper body activity for several weeks. Patients may drive and return to work once they discontinue narcotic pain medicine.
If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation for male breast reduction at our plastic surgery practice please call 770-485-1554 or email us at info@georgiaplastic.com.
All data and information provided within this website and related blog is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, PC makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Treatment information and medical recommendations must be made on a case-by-case basis; it is recommended that you seek personalized care from a board certified medical doctor for any medical questions or health issues you may have. Some photos in this website feature models for illustrative purposes. Photos of actual patients can be found in the before and after photo gallery.
