New Jersey breast reduction for men is one of the top 5 cosmetic procedures performed for men at the Parker Center. The condition of enlarged breasts in men is called gynecomastia. Because of the feminine appearance of the breasts, this is a very embarrassing and socially debilitating condition particularly because it presents itself as a young boy grows into a teen. While many pursue correction of the problem in their teens and early twenties, Dr. Paul M. Parker, Medical Director of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery has treated men of all ages, including those into their 60’s with gynecomastia.
In the past, gynecomastia was treated by surgical excision of the excess male breast tissue. In recent years, liposuction has become the method of choice for treating gynecomastia. At The Parker Center, Dr. Parker uses the Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance (VASER) system, also known as Liposelection, to treat gynecomastia. At the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in October, held in Seattle, Washington, results were presented of a multi-center trial comparing the VASER system to traditional liposuction. The study showed 26% of patients had less blood loss and 53% more skin contraction with the VASER system versus traditional liposuction. VASER patients enjoyed a quicker, less painful recovery with diminished bruising and better aesthetic results. These findings in this study confirmed what Dr. Parker has observed in treating his patients with the VASER system, since its approval by the FDA in 2002. In fact, Dr. Parker was one of the first plastic surgeons to incorporate the VASER system into his procedures.
The VASER system works by emitting a 2-3mm orb of ultrasonic energy from the tip of a 3mm wide cannula. This energy emulsifies the surrounding fat and even glandular breast tissue, but does not harm the other important tissues such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues. This tissue specificity has lead to the term “Liposelection”. The emulsified tissue is then gently removed with a specially designed evacuation cannula to promote a smooth contour. Two small incisions are all that is used for access in treating gynecomastia. These incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures making this essentially a “scarless procedure”. The skin contraction brought about by the VASER system makes it very unusual to remove excess skin.
The procedure is performed in Surgiplex, LLC, Dr. Parker’s fully certified onsite ambulatory surgical facility, often under light intravenous sedation, administered by one of his board certified anesthesiologists. Patients are usually discharged from the facility within one hour of surgery. Initially, after liposuction, New Jersey gynecomastia patients wear a compression vest, which is exchanged for an Under Armour tee shirt 3-4 days later. Patients are up and walking around the day of surgery, shower the following day, return to work within several days and the gym roughly a week after surgery. Patients say they do not experience pain, but instead feel sore as if they have done too many pushups at the gym.
Dr. Parker says the Rapid Recovery Program he employs accounts for the prompt healing after surgery. This program includes his state of the art surgical technique including his use of the VASER system, short acting anesthetic agents which exit the system quickly, use of peri operative medications to reduce swelling, bruising and pain as well as having his patients undergo manual lymphatic drainage massage performed several days after surgery.
Dr. Parker looks forward to seeing his patients return for their first post operative visit several days after surgery. They look good and feel good. They will almost always note a markedly improved appearance of their chest immediately after surgery. Psychologically, having been bothered by their appearance, often for years, they now feel better about what they see in the mirror. As Dr. Parker continues to see his patients for routine follow up visits at increasing time intervals over the next several months, he observes their self confidence rise. They are progressively more comfortable removing their shirts in public and indulging in activities such as going to the beach.
“In inexperienced hands, results can be different,” Dr. Parker warns. “I urge anyone who is considering plastic surgery to carefully select the right surgeon. At the very least, he or she must be board certified in plastic surgery and experienced using the VASER or whatever other type of equipment they feel will give the patient the best results.”
Dr. Paul M. Parker provides more information about male breast reduction, New Jersey and about other cosmetic procedures for men at parkercenter.net.
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