Gynecomastia

PROCEDURE:

  • Gynecomastia refers to the presence of breast tissue in male patients.
  • Mostly performed with either liposuction or excision via peri-areolar incision or a combination of these procedures
  • This procedure may be performed as a day procedure but may require overnight observation in larger cases.

PRE-OPERATIVE:

  • Please stop any over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, or drugs 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
  • Disprin, NSAIDS and blood thinners should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery unless specified or instructed differently by Dr F. Spruyt. This is done to prevent excessive bleeding.
  • NO SMOKING is allowed within 4 weeks of your surgery up to and including 4 weeks after surgery.
  • You should be fasted for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.
  • If possible, please bath or shower with Hibiscrub soap 2 hours prior to admission. This assists in reducing the chance of infection post operatively.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing, that will be easy to change into after your surgery.
  • Please be at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery to allow for admission and preparation.
  • You will be counselled on the risks, complications, and healing process prior to your surgery. If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you so that they may be discussed prior to surgery.
  • Your skin will be marked before you are taken into theatre.

PROCEDURE:

  • The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes.
  • The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, but additional pain blocks will be administered in theatre to reduce post-operative pain.
  • Drains are used for this procedure.
  • After the surgery is complete, wound dressings are applied and a binder or compression garment will be wrapped around the chest.

POST-OPERATIVE:

  • You will be monitored in the ward after surgery. If you are eating and drinking and your vitals are normal and pain is controlled, you will be discharged, unless booked for an overnight stay.
  • The nursing staff will show you how to empty and measure the wound drainage.
  • Do not open the dressings after surgery. Dressings will be opened when the drains are removed at your follow-up visit.
  • If you did not receive a follow-up appointment, please phone the rooms.
  • No driving is allowed for 2 weeks after your surgery.
  • Walking as a form of exercise may be resumed after 2 weeks.
  • Normal activities (overhead activities/lifting of heavy objects etc.), general exercise and running may be resumed at 6 weeks.
  • Do not wear tight restrictive clothing.
  • Wear the pressure garment for 6 weeks post surgery.
  • Wound healing takes time.
  • Avoid using tissue oils on the scars, only a cream like Epimax or a silicone cream may be applied once healed.
  • Avoid exposing the scars to sunbeds or direct sunlight i.e. tanning for the 1st year after surgery as this will darken the scars. A sunscreen (SPF 50) may be used as soon as wounds are healed should you plan on exposing the area to direct sunlight.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS:

  • Bleeding and hematoma (blood collection)
  • Seroma (fluid collection)
  • Infection
  • Necrosis of skin and or nipple-areola complex, wound breakdown
  • Change in sensation
  • Abnormal scarring (hypertrophic or keloid scarring)
  • Asymmetry and over resection

IMMEDIATELY CALL THE PRACTICE SHOULD ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR:

  • Bleeding or sudden painful enlargement of a breast.
  • Red, hot and/or draining wounds with fever.
  • Changing of the nipple-areola complex from pink to blue.

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