When considering gynecomastia surgery, choosing the right surgeon is crucial for achieving natural, refined results. Dr. James Lee stands out as a premier choice for men in Laval and beyond seeking to address enlarged male breasts. Dr. Lee brings extensive experience in male breast reduction procedures, having helped numerous patients regain confidence in their appearance. Understanding that each case of gynecomastia is unique, he tailors his surgical technique to meet your specific needs and goals, ensuring the best possible outcome for your individual situation.
Utilizing state-of-the-art methods, Dr. Lee prioritizes minimal scarring and optimal contouring for a natural-looking chest. His advanced techniques, combined with a keen aesthetic eye, result in masculine chest contours that look and feel natural.
Before & After photographs shown on this site are actual patients of Dr. James Lee who have given their permission to have their photos published online. They are for illustrative purposes only; individual results vary. We do not guarantee outcomes, and no prediction of outcome is implied. Individual healing characteristics and unexpected complications can affect the outcome of any surgery.
Gynecomastia in men is defined as the enlargement of the male breast(s), characterized by excess localized fat and overdevelopment of glandular tissue with or without excess breast skin. The causes of gynecomastia are multiple and can include hormonal changes, heredity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption or illicit drug use, and the side effects of certain prescription medications. Consequently, any reversible causes of gynecomastia must be excluded before surgical correction can be considered.
Gynecomastia can be a source of emotional discomfort and decreased self-confidence and may even cause some men to avoid certain physical activities just to hide their chest area. Surgical correction of gynecomastia aims to reduce breast size and enhance the contour of the chest by removing excess overdeveloped glandular breast tissue and/or excess breast fat.
Ideal candidates for gynecomastia correction are healthy, non-smoking men with realistic expectations who:
The procedure can either be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.
One to several small (~4 mm in length) incisions are made in inconspicuous areas of the breast and the axilla (i.e. at the margin of the breast skin and areola) such that the liposuction cannula (thin hollow tube) can access the areas requiring treatment.
The incision pattern used will ultimately be dictated by the specific issues that need to be addressed to correct gynecomastia and achieve an aesthetically pleasing result successfully. Surgical excision is necessary when gynecomastia results from the overdevelopment of glandular breast tissue or if excess skin must be removed to correct any drooping (ptosis) of the breasts. An excision technique is also indicated in cases where the areola will need to be reduced or the nipple will need to be transposed (lifted) to a higher location on the chest wall. The incision pattern used will ultimately be dictated by the specific issues that need to be addressed to correct gynecomastia and successfully achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. For instance, in the absence of excess skin and an enlarged/malpositioned nipple-areola complex (i.e. the darker pigmented skin of the breast), an inferior periareolar incision may be all that is necessary to access and excise the underlying glandular breast tissue successfully. Once healed, the periareolar incisions are well hidden and are quite inconspicuous.
Similar to when the excision technique is used alone, the incision pattern will depend on the specific components of the enlarged breast(s) that will need to be addressed. There will also be 1-4 small incisions in inconspicuous areas of the breasts and/or the axilla so as to allow the liposuction cannula to access the areas requiring treatment.In the presence of excess breast fat, either glandular breast tissue, excess breast skin, and/or an enlarged/malpositioned nipple-areolar complex, both liposuction and excision techniques can be used in the same operative setting to optimize aesthetic results. Liposuction can remove excess fat (contour) from a breast’s periphery, while an excision technique with a more central incision pattern can excise glandular breast tissue (and/or skin).
Liposuction alone can be used to treat gynecomastia resulting primarily from excess fatty tissue. The areas of the breast to be treated are infiltrated with a dilute local anesthetic solution. A liposuction cannula is then inserted through the access incisions and passed back and forth in a controlled fashion to loosen the excess fatty tissues. The excess fat is then removed by applying suction to the cannula.
During your consultation, Dr. Lee will discuss the various treatment options and help you determine which procedure is correct for you. Dr. Lee will perform a thorough medical evaluation during your preoperative consultation to ensure you are medically fit for surgery. He will also revise your medication list, as certain medications may need to be temporarily stopped before your surgery.
Since smoking is known to be associated with poor/delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence, wound infections, and increased scarring postoperatively, smokers will be asked to stop smoking four weeks before surgery and for at least two weeks postoperatively. Patients will also be scheduled for routine pre-operative blood testing and an electrocardiogram 4 weeks minimum before surgery. Dr. Lee may make additional recommendations once he reviews the results of your tests.
The operation is most often performed on an outpatient basis, and most patients are permitted to go home a few hours after surgery. You will have a dry dressing over your incisions and a compression garment (or an elastic bandage) around your chest to help reduce swelling. We will ask that you wear your compression garment at all times and for a total of 6 weeks so that your skin remains in contact with your newly contoured chest as you heal. This not only decreases your risk of developing certain post-operative complications but also expedites your recovery and ultimately optimizes your final result. It is preferable for you to sleep on your back for the first four weeks after your surgery.
You will experience some discomfort; however, this can be controlled with the pain medications that you will be prescribed. In addition to swelling, there will be some bruising, but these should resolve 2-3 weeks after surgery.
Patients are encouraged to walk immediately following surgery, and most are capable of returning to work in 7 days. Light exercise is permitted at 4 weeks, and full exercise and activities can be resumed at 6 weeks.
Before leaving our facilities, you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your breasts and surgical wounds throughout your recovery. It is important that you follow these recommendations in order to minimize the appearance of your scars and ultimately achieve your best possible result. Dressings should be left in place until your first post-operative visit with Dr. Lee, at which point he will assess your wounds and if necessary, apply new dressings.
Patients who undergo gynecomastia surgery with Dr. James Lee can see significant improvements in their chest contour and overall body confidence. The results of this procedure are often life-changing, allowing men to feel more comfortable in their own skin and enjoy a more masculine chest appearance.
While you'll notice an immediate difference following your surgery, the full results of your gynecomastia procedure will develop over time. Initial swelling typically subsides within a few weeks, revealing a flatter, more contoured chest. As your body continues to heal over the next few months, you'll see further refinement in your results.
Most patients report feeling comfortable going shirtless or wearing fitted clothing within 2-3 months post-surgery. The final results, which typically emerge around 9 months post-operation, showcase a natural-looking, masculine chest contour that seamlessly blends with your overall physique.
The results of gynecomastia surgery with Dr. Lee are designed to be long-lasting. By removing excess glandular tissue and fat, the procedure provides a permanent solution to male breast enlargement. However, maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle is crucial to preserving your results over time.
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with gynecomastia surgery. Smoking, diabetes, peripheral artery disease (poor circulation), as well as heart, lung, or liver disease, may increase your risk of perioperative and/or post-operative complications.
Risks and complications include:
Dr. Lee will thoroughly discuss these risks (and possibly others) with you and answer any questions you might have before obtaining your consent for surgery.
Scars form as the body’s natural response heals tissues. As with any scar, the extent of post-surgical scarring depends on several modifiable factors (i.e. avoidance of UV light exposure, tension-free wound closure, appropriate wound care, etc.) and non-modifiable factors (i.e. patient age, comorbidities, skin type, genetics, etc.). While it is impossible to perform scar-free surgery, Dr. Lee makes every effort to minimize the appearance of your post-surgical scars through careful pre-operative planning, meticulous surgical technique, and ensuring appropriate wound care and follow-up post-operatively. It is not unusual for scars to appear red and be slightly raised/firm for the first 4-6 weeks following surgery. Scars will flatten and become more pale over time, and can take up to 12 months before achieving their final appearance.
Gynecomastia surgery is often combined with procedures like a tummy tuck, the Daddy Do-Over procedure, or Renuvion skin tightening to enhance your overall results. Dr. Lee will discuss your options during the consultation.