By age 70, nearly 70% percent of men will show signs of enlarged male breast tissue, making gynecomastia a common, yet treatable, condition. Gynecomastia can cause men to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed by their appearance, impacting their confidence and self-image.
While gynecomastia surgery is a simple procedure, it’s important to choose an expert, board-certified surgeon. The male breast reduction experts at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery specialize in creating masculine-looking gynecomastia surgery results. Here are some tips to find the best surgeon for your optimal results.
What Is Gynecomastia Surgery, and Why Is It Necessary?
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlarged male breasts, producing a feminine-looking chest contour. It can cause emotional and mental distress, affecting confidence and self-image. Surgery can help relieve the negative effects of gynecomastia by restoring the masculine appearance of the chest and improving body image.
Gynecomastia surgery often requires a multi-faceted approach as the cause can be fatty tissue or glandular tissue. To extract fat, we use high-definition liposuction techniques, and to remove glandular tissue, we use surgical excision. Most men with breast development have a section of fibrous tissue under the nipple that won’t go away with weight loss. Treating both of these aspects delivers a masculine chest contour.
Moderate to severe gynecomastia may require skin removal. We typically use a peri-areolar incision to remove skin while minimizing visible scarring.
How Do You Start Your Search for the Best Gynecomastia Surgeon?
Like many searches these days, begin at your favorite search engine to find gynecomastia surgeons in your area. You may receive a long list of surgeons, but how do you narrow that list down to decide which one is the right doctor for you?
The first task to eliminate some of the contenders is to visit each surgeon’s website. Some specific areas to review are the About page, the Gynecomastia page, and their before and after results gallery.
Review their website to determine whether they are a board-certified plastic surgeon. Board-certified surgeons meet the highest standards of education and accreditation, and each member must continue their medical education annually. Review their procedures to determine if they perform surgery in accredited and licensed surgical facilities.
What Qualifications Should a Top Gynecomastia Surgeon Have?
First, your search should only consider gynecomastia surgeons who are board-certified to ensure you’re choosing a provider with integrity who values the highest standards of care.
Here are a few other considerations to make when shopping for your gynecomastia surgeon:
- Experience—How often do they perform gynecomastia surgery?
- Facility Accreditation and Hospital Privileges—Where will your procedure be performed?
- Rapport and References—Read patient reviews to get a feel for the surgeon before your consultation to ensure they might be a good fit for you.
- Follow-up Care—Review their website and reviews to learn about their aftercare practices.
- Cost—Look up the average cost for your procedure in your area to get an idea of how much to expect before your consultation.
How Important Are Reviews and Testimonials in Choosing a Surgeon?
Often, the About and Services pages should offer useful, general information about your procedure and the surgeon’s approach. However, you’ll find more candid information in patient reviews. Visiting a surgeon’s testimonials page tells you about patients’ experiences with the doctor, their surgical technique or bedside manner, the facility, their staff, and finally the patient’s results.
Specifically, look for reviews from other gynecomastia patients—do they discuss their results or maybe talk about increased self-esteem? Reading the reviews from satisfied, or dissatisfied, patients may help sway you to determine whether you’d like to schedule a consultation with the surgeon.
What Questions Should You Ask During Your Gynecomastia Surgery Consultation?
Your consultation with a gynecomastia surgeon is a big step in achieving your aesthetic goals and a more masculine chest. Be sure to have your questions prepared before your appointment. Here are a few to get you started.
- Are you board-certified?
- How long have you been practicing plastic surgery?
- Am I a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery?
- What should I do to achieve the best gynecomastia surgery results?
- Where and how will you perform my gynecomastia surgery?
- What surgical technique do you recommend for my situation?
- How long is the average recovery period, and what kind of restrictions will I have?
- What are the risks and complications associated with gynecomastia surgery?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with my gynecomastia surgery outcome?
- May I see your before and after photos? What results are reasonable for me?
- How often do you perform gynecomastia procedures?
What Are the Red Flags to Look Out for When Choosing a Gynecomastia Surgeon?
When you’re selecting your gynecomastia surgeon, it’s important to know not only what you want but also what you’re not looking for in a surgeon. Here are a few red flags to consider.
- Poor before and after results photos
- Bad patient reviews
- Poor follow-up care practices
- Exceptionally low price that’s too good to be true
- The procedure wouldn’t be performed at a surgical center or hospital
- Trouble determining whether you have gynecomastia
- Hesitant to perform a physical evaluation
- Claim gynecomastia surgery is the same for each patient or has no risks
- No gynecomastia page on their website
- No experience with gynecomastia surgery
- Doesn’t discuss your expected outcome
- Doesn’t spend time building a rapport with you
- Makes you feel uncomfortable
- Try to sell you on a procedure rather than educate you about it
- Is dismissive of how gynecomastia has impacted you
Why Should You Consider Before and After Photos in Your Decision-Making Process?
Viewing a gynecomastia surgeon’s before and after photos is a good way to determine the quality of their work and the results you may expect. When you’re examining these photos, look for a “normal looking” chest with realistic symmetry, round areolas, and no signs of contour irregularities.
Here are a few other details to help you choose your gynecomastia surgeon.
- Ask yourself if you would be satisfied with the “after” photo results. If you say no more than yes, you might not want to choose that surgeon.
- Is the “After” photo obvious that the patient had surgery?
- Look for symmetry and quality of the scars, particularly around the areola. Avoid significant scars that are visible from a distance.
- Oval or irregularly shaped areolas or visible indentations are red flags.
How Can Post-Operative Support and Follow-Up Influence Your Choice of Surgeon?
While results are an essential aspect in choosing your gynecomastia surgeon, the level of post-operative support and follow-up care offered should be a key quality you look for in a surgeon. During your post-operative follow-up appointments, your surgeon should assess your pain, ensure you are healing properly without any complications, and provide guidance on resuming your normal activities.
During your consultation, your gynecomastia surgeon should provide you with a list of ways to prepare for your recovery as well as aftercare practices. Following your surgery, it’s important to know how to reach out with questions or concerns about your recovery. With support from your surgeon following your procedure, you’re more likely to achieve an optimal outcome.
Choosing Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery for Your Gynecomastia Surgery
In the Ann Arbor area, we’re lucky to have skilled board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Pramit Malhotra and Dr. Tiffany Ballard. With their unique education and experience, Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Ballard help their patients feel comfortable and confident in their choice of gynecomastia surgeon. Your journey with gynecomastia surgery starts when you choose Ann Arbor’s best providers. Contact us today or call us at (734) 913-5100 to learn more!
