Male Breast Reduction in San Francisco

As a male plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Bermudez understands that a firm, flat chest appearance is important for healthy male self-esteem. This is why he specializes in male breast reduction surgery, a procedure that helps men with gynecomastia (enlarged male breasts) achieve a firmer, more contoured chest appearance. To learn more about male breast reduction in San Francisco, please read the information below.

Gynecomastia: What Is It?

Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by overly developed soft tissues in a male chest, leading to to a womanly looking chest. While the precise causes of gynecomastia are unknown, this condition has been linked to use of certain medications and steroids. In addition, a large percentage of teenage boys experience mild to moderate gynecomastia that typically resolves by itself by the time the boy reaches adulthood.

Male Breast Reduction in San Francisco

Men and teenage boys with gynecomastia can experience a variety of negative consequences, including:

  • Embarrassment

  • Shame

  • Low self-esteem

  • Depression and other serious psychological problems

Dr. Kenneth Bermudez treats gynecomastia by performing male breast reduction surgery at his San Francisco plastic surgery offices. During this procedure, he removes excess fat and tissue from a man’s breast area to create a firmer, more contoured chest.

Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Male breast reduction is performed as an outpatient procedure with the patient under general anesthesia. The type of breast reduction technique Dr. Bermudez performs varies with each San Francisco gynecomastia treatment patient, depending on whether the problem is caused by excess glandular tissue or fatty tissue.

If the cause of gynecomastia is fatty tissue, Dr. Bermudez might perform liposuction alone to remove the excess tissue. He will make several incisions around the nipple area and suction fat from beneath the skin through a thin tube known as a cannula.

In the case of excess glandular tissue, Dr. Bermudez may perform a surgical extraction of glandular tissue and possibly skin as well. In some instances, both liposuction and tissue/skin extraction may be employed.

Male Breast Reduction Recovery

Following surgery, the patient will be provided with a compression garment to aid in the healing process and prevent swelling. Some bruising, soreness and swelling will occur, but any discomfort can be managed with medications provided by Dr. Bermudez. Heavy exercise should be avoided for several weeks, and the surgical scars should not be exposed to the sun for about six months. Most of the swelling should resolve after a few weeks, but the full benefits of the treatment will not be evident until approximately 90 days following surgery.

Schedule Your Appointment with Dr. Bermudez

In order to begin your journey toward a flatter, more masculine chest appearance, schedule your appointment with Dr. Kenneth Bermudez today. He will discuss all your treatment options with you at your initial consultation, and together you will determine the right procedure for you. Dr. Bermudez will also explain exactly what will happen during your male breast reduction surgery, what type of anesthesia will be used, how you should prepare for the treatment, and what your recovery will be like. In addition, he will take the time to answer any questions you may have. The goal of Dr. Bermudez and his talented medical team is to help you prepare for your procedure, relieve your stress, and guide you through the gynecomastia treatment process.

Dr. Kenneth Bermudez

Kenneth Bermudez, MD, is a foremost plastic surgeon specializing in sophisticated cosmetic and reconstructive chest procedures for both men and women. For women, he performs breast reduction, breast reconstruction and breast lift in San Francisco. Dr. Bermudez also has many years’ experience performing breast augmentation for San Francisco and breast implants patients.

Male Breast Reduction FAQs

What kind of anesthesia is used for male breast reduction?

Male breast reduction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, though, depending on the individual patient’s surgery needs, twilight and local anesthesia may also be used.

During your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Bermudez before surgery, he will go over all of the surgery details with you, including what anesthesia he will use and all pre- and post-operative instructions. You can also ask any and all questions that you have about the surgery, recovery, and expected results at this time.

How long does male breast reduction take to perform?

The male breast reduction procedure typically takes about an hour and a half to complete. For patients who need more excess skin removed during surgery, it may take up to two hours to perform.

How can I prepare for male breast reduction?

Dr. Bermudez will discuss in detail all pre-surgery instructions with you during your private consultation before surgery. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to avoid complications and achieve optimal results.

In general, there are a few things to keep in mind to prepare for your surgery. First, stop smoking for at least two weeks before surgery. Give Dr. Bermudez a list of all medications and supplements that you are currently taking, and follow his instructions on adjusting them prior to your surgery.

At this time, it is also important to arrange for a ride to and from your appointment, and you will need to take at least one week off work. Plan to have a family member or friend stay with you for the first day or two after the procedure to help you with daily activities.

Is male breast reduction painful?

There should be no discomfort during the surgery, as it will be performed under anesthesia. Any discomfort felt post-surgery can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers or pain medication prescribed by Dr. Bermudez.

How can I reduce swelling after male breast reduction?

A certain amount of swelling and soreness is normal after male breast reduction surgery. Dr. Bermudez will provide you with a compression garment to help alleviate swelling and protect the incisions. Most of the swelling should dissipate after four to six weeks.

What sort of scarring is expected after male breast reduction?

Scars are inevitable with any surgical procedure that involves the use of incisions. However, male breast reduction surgery typically involves only minor incisions for the thin cannula to be inserted during liposuction. Therefore, the resulting scars are very small and well concealed in the natural contours of the chest.

In procedures where an excision is necessary to remove excess tissue, incisions will typically be made on the border of the areola, so the resulting scars won’t be noticeable.

To ensure that scars don’t become darker over time, avoid sun exposure to the incisions areas for at least 12 months following surgery.

How much does male breast reduction cost?

Since male breast reduction is a highly individualized procedure that is tailored to each patient, costs may vary. The cost of male breast reduction surgery is anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000.

What should I keep in mind when looking for male breast reduction surgeon near me?

We highly recommend choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Bermudez to perform your surgery. Not only do they have several years’ experience in plastic surgery as well as residency training (unlike medical doctors, who only have supplemental training in plastic surgery), but they have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, promising that you receive the highest quality of patient care and surgical safety.

When planning to have a highly individualized surgery like male breast reduction, it is important to choose a plastic surgeon who is known for surgical expertise and natural-looking results. Dr. Bermudez has more than 20 years of experience in both plastic and reconstructive breast surgery. His compassionate care and ability to enhance the body while maintaining its natural appearance is world-renowned.

Do you have male breast reduction before and after photos?

Please visit our male breast reduction patient gallery to view photos of our happy patients and their incredible results!