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In the majority of cases, Dr. Schlesinger can achieve an attractive, firm and flat chest using liposuction. Through a tiny incision located in the armpit, he can remove all of the excess fat and 60-100% of the glandular tissue, all the while sculpting a natural contour to the chest. The incisions are so small that there are no stitches to be removed, and scarring is often impossible for others to detect—all they see is an attractive, masculine chest shape.
Learn About Male Breast Reduction RecoveryUnfortunately, not all liposuction is the same. Traditional liposuction does an excellent job of removing fatty tissue and a reasonable job of removing some glandular tissue. Newer forms of liposuction such as VASER, Smart, Laser, etc. can remove fat, but no better than traditional liposuction. However, when it comes to removing glandular tissue, these new technologies do a terrible job. They harden the tissue (almost like concrete), fail to remove it, and make secondary attempts at removing it very difficult. (As a side note, there’s no scientific evidence to back up claims that these brand-name lipo technologies tighten skin.)
Moreover, no “smart” technology can override a surgeon’s skill; your results are always dependent on your plastic surgeon’s experience, surgical skill, and ability to understand and achieve your goals. Therefore, Dr. Schlesinger only uses traditional liposuction during male breast reduction.
Patients with a large amount of glandular tissue occasionally need to have tissue manually removed, or excised, in addition to undergoing liposuction. In this case, Dr. Schlesinger will make a small incision at the bottom edge of the nipple or areola, so it is hidden by the natural borders of these features once healed. In a small number of cases, particularly following excessive weight loss, he may also make a slightly longer incision to remove excess skin.
If tissue excision is most likely to help you get your desired results, Dr. Schlesinger will discuss this with you during your consultation and help you understand what to expect.
Unfortunately, male breast cancer is a reality. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 2,500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and about 480 die from it. Dr. Schlesinger takes your health seriously. While gynecomastia alone does not raise risk for male breast cancer, other risk factors, such as hormonal disorders and obesity, may raise risk. Dr. Schlesinger always sends glandular tissue he removes to pathology for screening, just to be sure the tissue is healthy.
Patients who are unhappy with the outcome of a previous male breast reduction procedure with another surgeon often turn to Dr. Schlesinger to help them correct problems and achieve the results they are hoping for. Dr. Schlesinger is one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in Hawaii with revision gynecomastia procedures and can often find a solution when other providers cannot.
Learn more about revision male breast reduction with Dr. Schlesinger.
When choosing a plastic surgeon to perform your male breast reduction, one should always choose a Board Certified plastic surgeon that has the privilege to do male breast reductions at a local hospital. Cosmetic surgeries, including male breast reductions, are usually done in surgicenters, and not in hospitals. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon with cosmetic surgery privileges at Queen’s Hospital, but he performs most surgeries at his new surgicenter at Hale Pawaa. Dr. Schlesinger is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia and has received awards in the form of Hawaii Medical Association Physician of the Year, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and even received the Patients’ Choice and Compassionate Doctor certifications.
To learn more regarding your options as a Hawaii male breast reduction patient, contact our Plastic Surgery Center today at (808) 597-8835 to schedule an initial consultation at our office in Honolulu. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS will be glad to speak with potential Hawaii male breast reduction patients during that time.