Gynecomastia Surgery Sydney

Gynecomastia Sydney – Male Breast Reduction Surgery by Dr Kernohan Plastic Surgeon NSW

Gyno Surgery for Gynecomastia is a plastic surgery procedure that helps men get rid of excess glandular tissue on the chest. This procedure is one of the most requested plastic surgery interventions for men as it can help eliminate unwanted fat deposits and the excess of glandular tissue.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Michael Kernohan, performs the gynecomastia procedure in Sydney’s Southwest Suburbs and the Southern Highlands NSW.

What Are the Causes of Gynecomastia?

There are many different causes for gynecomastia. This condition could be a hormonal response to an excess of estrogen in the body, or it could occur due to a low level of testosterone.

Gynecomastia can occur at different ages. However, when it occurs at an adult age, it needs surgical treatment to be corrected. It’s important to mention that gynecomastia could also occur due to hereditary reasons or because of obesity. 

Male Breast Reduction Surgery Guide

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  • A hormonal imbalance in the body
  • Obesity
  • A genetic predisposition
  • Liver or lung cancer
  • Cirrhosis
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs 

In some cases, the gynecomastia can occur as a side effect of medication such as:

  • Steroids
  • Ulcer medication
  • Epilepsy medication
  • Chemo administered medication
  • Medication to treat heart conditions
  • Anti-anxiety or anti-depressive medication

Here are the main causes of gyno or gynecomastia:

Who Is a Good Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?

Gyno Surgery is an efficient solution for getting rid of excess glandular tissue. To be eligible to undergo the gyno procedure, you should fulfill certain criteria such as:

  • Having good health and emotional condition 
  • No pre-existing health conditions that could delay the healing process
  • Have a relatively normal weight
  • The chest is fully developed
  • Are not smoking or could quit smoking for at least a few weeks before and after the surgery is performed
  • Have good skin tone
  • Are not using drugs
  • Have realistic expectations from the surgery – clear goals, and a positive attitude

The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure is to schedule an appointment with Dr Kernohan for an initial consultation.

   
 

The Gynecomastia Surgery Procedure

The traditional male breast reduction technique entails an incision around the areola to allow the surgeon to remove the underlying mammary tissue that is in excess. This procedure aims to eliminate not only the excess of glandular tissue but also the fat that could be present in the area. 

The intervention is not overly complicated, and it could take up to an hour or more to get optimal results, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. 

Main Advantages of Getting Gynecomastia Surgery with Dr Kernohan

  • Small scars are well hidden in the natural folds of the skin
  • Lower risk of post-operative bleeding

What to Expect from Gynecomastia Surgery?

Your journey starts with a consultation with Dr Kernohan. During this consultation, you will get to discuss your goals and expectations from the procedure and any concerns you have. 

Dr Kernohan will ask you about your medical history and the medication you are currently on (if any). At the same time, he will perform a physical examination and give you more details about the procedure and how it applies to your particular case.

What Happens During Gynecomastia Surgery?

Gynecomastia is performed under general anaesthesia to avoid any pain or discomfort during the intervention. 

If the excessive size of the breasts is caused by an excess of fat tissue, Dr Kernohan might start the procedure by performing liposuction on the chest. Liposuction entails small incisions that are well hidden in the folds of the skin. A small hollow steel cannula is inserted through these incisions. With back and forth movements, he will dislodge the fat from the chest area. The fat is then suctioned into a medical vacuum device connected to the cannula.

The next step of the intervention is eliminating the excess mammary gland tissue and skin. The tissue is removed surgically through a small excision.

The incisions are covered with bandages and/ or compressive bandages. Compression clothing is essential as it helps minimise the swelling and bruising and speeds up the recovery. 

If Dr Kernohan removed a considerable amount of tissue during the surgery, drain tubes might be used on each side of the chest to drain the excess fluid.

After the surgery is performed, you will need to see Dr Kernohan regularly to allow him to monitor the recovery process and ensure you get the best results possible after your surgery.

Recovery after Gynecomastia Surgery in Sydney

Before undergoing surgery, you should be aware that the final results of the intervention are not visible immediately after the procedure. There is a certain level of swelling and bruising in the area after the intervention. These will subside in time with no additional treatment. In most cases, it takes two to three weeks to get rid of most of the swelling and bruising after gynecomastia. 

Analgesic medication is prescribed to alleviate the pain and discomfort after the surgery. At the same time, Dr Kernohan might prescribe antibiotics to help you avoid a potential infection. The elastic bandage or compression clothing should be worn for a minimum of three to four weeks as it can improve the results achieved with the surgery and help your body recover faster.

Most patients can resume daily activities within the first-week post-op. Usually, it takes no longer than two to three days before they are able to do so. However, the recommendation is to take at least a week off from work, especially if the work entails a certain level of physical activity.

You might be allowed to resume physical activities two weeks post-op and expect to resume working out at the gym four to six weeks after your surgery. Make sure to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Potential Risks and Complications of Gynecomastia

All Surgery has risks. Gynecomastia is a complex surgery procedure performed under general anaesthesia. Just like it is the case with other surgical interventions, it has certain risks and complications. While the procedure is considered to be safe and effective when performed by a talented and experienced plastic surgeon, you will need to follow his instructions to avoid complications.

Find out more about risks of plastic surgery here.

Gynecomastia cost Dr Michael Kernohan Leading Breast Plastic Surgeon Best Gynecomastia Surgery Sydney

How much is a Gynecomastia Surgery in Sydney?

Gyno Surgery for Gynecomastia can cost around $8,000 to $17,000 in Sydney. The fees will vary depending on the experience and skills of the surgeon, the facility where the procedure is performed, the complexity of the intervention, as well as other factors.

Keep in mind that the fee shouldn’t be the first and most important criteria when choosing the plastic surgeon for your intervention.

To find out more about the fees of plastic surgery, have a look at Dr Kernohan prices page. You can contact Dr Kernohan’s team to schedule an appointment or phone 1300 39 38 99 to get a cost estimate now.

Does Medicare Cover Gynecomastia Surgery?

The procedures performed for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes only are often not covered by Medicare or insurance. But some Gyno surgery may qualify for Medicare coverage and health insurance subsidy. For more details, check out Item Number 31525 and read about Medicare item numbers here.

Funding your Gynecomastia Surgery

Even if your procedure is not covered by Medicare or insurance, you still have other options when it comes to funding your gynecomastia surgery. There are payment plans and financing options available to help you cover the costs of the intervention.

How to Find the Right Gynecomastia Surgeon in Sydney

One of the most important aspects to keep in mind when looking for the right gynecomastia surgeon in Sydney is experience.

With the plastic surgeon’s experience also comes his ability to help you avoid risks and potential complications and get a faster and uneventful recovery period.

Gynecomastia Surgery FAQs

Gynecomastia Surgery FAQs

  • The procedure is only recommended for fully grown men. This means that the chest development should be completed before resorting to a gynecomastia procedure.

What is pseudo-gynecomastia?

  • Gynecomastia is a condition characterised by the excessive growth of the mammary tissue. This means that the patient has a significant amount of glandular tissue that has to be removed to get a masculine-looking chest. However, there are cases where the condition is caused by an excess of fat tissue at the level of the breast. So, it is not the glandular tissue making the breasts so large, but fat tissue. This is what we call in medical terms pseudo-gynecomastia.

Do I have gynecomastia or pseudo-gynecomastia?

  • To find out whether the excess tissue on your chest is mammary gland tissue or fat you should schedule an appointment with Dr Kernohan. Depending on the structure of the tissue causing the enlarged breasts, he will recommend a suitable treatment plan.

How is pseudo-gynecomastia treated?

  • If you have good skin tone, Dr Kernohan might perform male breast liposuction on the chest to correct your pseudo-gynecomastia. However, keep in mind that just chest liposuction might not be enough if you have an excess of skin at the level of the chest. In this case, liposuction might be associated with incisions to eliminate the excess skin.

Are scars visible after gynecomastia?

  • When it comes to scarring after plastic surgery, scars depend on the complexity of the intervention. This means that bigger incisions might be needed if there is a considerable amount of glandular tissue to be removed.

Is gynecomastia painful?

  • The gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. This means that no pain or discomfort is experienced during the surgery. During the recovery period, you will be prescribed analgesic medication to help ease the pain and discomfort.

How long is the recovery period after gynecomastia?

  • The recovery period is also dependent on the complexity of the procedure performed. The recovery period after gynecomastia is usually no longer than two weeks for most patients. You might be able to resume work and your daily activities after the first week after the surgery depending on your role.

Do I need bed rest after gynecomastia?

  • Your body needs rest and nutritious food to recover after any type of surgery, gynecomastia included. But this doesn’t mean you need to spend the whole week in bed. Make sure to get up and move gently as this promotes faster healing.

Further Reading and Medical References on Gynecomastia

Next Steps

  • Contact Dr Kernohan’s Team for an Enquiry or Appointment