Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia, or the enlargement of the male breast, is a condition which affects approximately 10% of younger men with the percentage increasing to 30% in older individuals. It is a rather common occurrence but is rarely thought of or discussed. Gynecomastia can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Infants are typically born with enlarged breasts due to the estrogen from their mother. However, this situation is temporary and will disappear usually within two to three weeks after birth. As a male reaches his teenage years, gynecomastia again becomes quite common and can occur in one or both breasts. Teenage pseudogynecomastia, as it is called, is due mostly to the fluctuation of the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone. However, this generally subsides in early adulthood with the occurrence of the condition increasing again in older men. As men age, the level of testosterone in their body begins to wane which is what contributes again to the gynecomastia. In addition, older men generally tend to accumulate more body fat thus leading to an increase in their estrogen levels.
There have also been some drugs, medications, and diseases that have been linked with the occurrence of gynecomastia. Some recreational drugs such as marijuana as well as medications to treat conditions such as prostate cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease, have been known to add to the enlargement of the male breasts. In addition, certain diseases such as liver disease and certain types of cancers have been known to contribute to this as well. Rarely, congenital defects that have been present since birth may also impact the condition.
It is important for patients to be aware that it is also a possibility that they do not suffer from gynecomastia at all but are simply overweight. For individuals who appear to be overweight, the surgeon will typically recommend that they attempt to lose the weight before the procedure is performed to see whether or not the operation is actually necessary. Also, as is the case before any surgery, the patients are requested to stop smoking as this can lead to delayed healing due to poor circulation.
There are two distinct parts that make up the male breast. These are the glandular tissue which is dense and tight and the softer fatty tissue. Each individual has a certain ratio of glandular tissue to fat tissue and this varies largely from person to person. Gynecomastia results when the breast has an excess of either glandular or fat tissue or sometimes a combination of both.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
In the case of patients who have an excess of fatty as opposed to glandular tissue, liposuction is typically conducted in order to remove the fat. If this proves to be the necessary and intended procedure, the surgeon will insert a small tube called a cannula into an incision that is typically 3-4 mm in length. The cannula is typically connected to an aspirator and it is through this device that the fatty tissue is vacuumed and removed. If, however, the enlargement of the breasts is the result of an excess of glandular tissue, the surgeon will usually be required to use a scalpel to remove the tissue. An incision is then made around the nipple or even in the armpit of the patient and, through these incisions, the surgeon is able to excise the excess glandular tissue This procedure will leave a scar that will most likely be located around the edge of the nipple. In the case of patients who have an excess of both glandular and well as fat tissue, surgeons can concurrently perform both the removal of the glandular tissue with the scalpel as well as liposuction to remove the fat.
The procedure normally takes about an hour and a half to complete depending on the extent of removal of the tissue. Although it is normally conducted under general anesthesia, it is possible for the surgery to be completed under a local anesthesia with the utilization of sedation. The correction of gynecomastia is typically an day case procedure although the surgeon will sometimes encourage the individual to remain in the hospital for one night.
Although this procedure typically results in a scar, it is usually quite small and inconspicuous. However, depending on how much skin and tissue needs to be removed, the surgeon might be required to make incisions which are larger than would normally be used. This would, therefore, lead to larger and more obvious scarring. With this in mind, the surgeon will always attempt to locate incisions in a place which is easy to conceal.
Recovery After Surgey
After the surgery, it is common for the chest to appear bruised and swollen which prevents the final results of the procedure from being initially apparent. Surgeons will typically recommend that the patient wear an elastic band around their chest for one to two weeks following the surgery in order to apply pressure to the area. This helps to reduce the swelling of the breast. It is not recommended for patients to exercise for the first three weeks after the procedure with the full recovery time being approximately six weeks. After this period, patients should be able to resume their daily activities.
As with any procedure, there are side effects although the occurrence of complications following gynecomastia corrective surgery is quite rare. It is possible that the surgeon will not have removed an adequate amount of tissue or that the contour of the chest is uneven. In this case, the surgery may need to be repeated. Numbness may also occur after the surgery due to a stretching of the nerves but this typically ceases soon afterward. Also, occasionally, a blood clot will form after the performance of an excision of glandular tissue but clots are not seen in patients who have simply received liposuction. If a blood clot does form following the procedure, a second operation may be required in order to drain the fluid.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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