For people who want to have a flatter, more masculine chest, whether as part of gender confirmation therapy for transgender men or for men with extra chest tissue, a male chest contouring procedure may help them achieve the results they desire.
Dr. Kayastha can utilize a variety of surgical procedures to achieve a person’s desired chest look, depending on factors like skin elasticity, amount of removable fat or glandular tissue, and the position of the nipple.
What is Chest Contouring?
Chest contouring is any procedure that aims to masculinize and/or reduce the size of the chest, specifically the tissue around the nipple and areola. It typically involves an incision around the nipple, through which glandular and fat tissue is removed in a specific pattern to produce a flatter chest. Dr. Kayastha may also use liposuction or fat transfer to contour the surrounding tissue for the most natural-looking, masculine results. Chest contouring should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Kayastha.
Who is Eligible for Chest Contouring?
Anyone who desires a flatter, more masculine appearance in their chest may be eligible for chest contouring. Because chest enlargement can happen at any stage in a man’s life, this procedure can be performed on a wide variety of age groups. Good candidates for chest contouring or any surgery are typically their ideal body weight and generally healthy overall.
Because some patients for chest contouring are transgender men who may be on hormone therapy to aid in their transition, Dr. Kayastha requires patients to not be taking hormonal medication to be eligible for this surgery.
How is Chest Contouring Performed?
Depending on the condition of your skin and chest tissue, Dr. Kayastha can use several procedures to achieve your desired results. Your skin elasticity, the desired amount of tissue to be removed, and the size and position of the nipple are all factors Dr. Kayastha will consider when deciding what type of contouring procedure is appropriate.
The type and size of the incision used for chest contouring surgery depend largely on the amount of tissue to be removed, and whether the nipple will need to be resized or relocated. More intensive procedures typically require larger incisions and longer recovery time.
What is the Cause of Chest Enlargement?
Chest enlargement, also known as gynecomastia, is a common issue and can be caused by many conditions. It can occur at almost any age but can have a significant negative impact on self-esteem and self-image in adolescents in particular. Enlargement and/or the perceived feminization of chest tissue can cause psychological distress for men who do not feel their identity reflected accurately in their body and can make any existing mental health concerns worse. This is why people who suffer from gynecomastia seek out chest contouring at K Plastic Surgery — to feel like themselves again.
Gynecomastia can be the result of sudden weight gain, use of certain drugs, hormonal changes, or genetics, to name the most common causes.
Types of Chest Contouring Surgeries
There are a variety of surgical procedures and incision types that Dr. Kayastha can use to achieve the look you want. The specific procedure(s) used for your chest contouring surgery depends on your goals, current chest condition, and overall health.
Purse-String Incision
When an individual has a mild to moderate amount of excess tissue, this procedure removes excess skin and fat tissue, relocates the nipple, and may reduce the size of the nipple for a more masculine appearance. The purse-string procedure is performed with an incision around the nipple and areola.
Double Incision
For people with larger chests who want a flatter appearance, a double incision can be used to remove a greater amount of tissue and excess skin. An incision is made on the chest wall as well as around the areola to resize and relocate the nipple.
Liposuction
Part of your chest contouring procedure may include liposuction if it would help achieve your desired results. In this procedure, a small, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted into the fat tissue and suctioned out with a vacuum pump.
Dr. Kayastha will go over each step of your chest contouring procedure during your consultation, as well as any preparation and recovery instructions for optimal results.
Restrictions and Recovery From Chest Contouring
Although chest contouring surgery at K Plastic Surgery is an outpatient procedure, patients still need to allow for downtime to rest and heal. Follow any and all of Dr. Kayastha’s instructions for post-operative care for the best chance for a quick and full recovery.
All patients undergoing chest contouring are advised to wear a specialized compression garment for between two and six weeks, depending on the specifics of your procedure. In addition, some patients may have drains in place for seven to 10 days to prevent excess fluid buildup in the surgical site. Most patients use over-the-counter pain medicine for about a week after surgery to help with any discomfort and pain.
If your chest contouring procedure was minimally invasive, or only required liposuction to achieve your desired results, recovery will be pretty quick. Patients can typically return to their normal routine almost immediately but should avoid more strenuous exercise for two weeks.
For more invasive or extensive chest contouring surgeries, Dr. Kayastha may increase your downtime for strenuous activities from just a few weeks to a month or more.
Learn More About Chest Contouring Surgery
Whether you are suffering from the mental distress of gynecomastia, or seeking a more masculine look like a transgender individual, chest contouring surgery is an effective solution in creating a more masculine appearance to reinforce your identity. Dr. Kayastha and the expert medical aestheticians at K Plastic Surgery are here to answer any questions you may have and get you the body look you desire. Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more about chest contouring surgery and whether it’s right for you.
Schedule a Consultation
The best way to explore your options and get an accurate price estimate is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kayastha. Fill our the form or give us a call at (518) 674-9060 to start your journey.
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