Gynecomastia surgery in Dublin: VASER male breast reduction
Most men who sit down with me have spent years working around their chest. The baggy t-shirt on holidays. The jacket kept on in a warm room. Swimming with the kids, but never with the top off. Some call it man boobs or moobs, the lads in the gym call it gyno, and the medical name is gynaecomastia. Whatever you call it, it’s one of the most common things I treat, and I’ve been doing gynecomastia surgery in Dublin since 1999.
At Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic I remove the excess tissue with VASER liposuction under local anaesthetic. You’re awake, the chest is numb, and you go home the same day.
Fat, gland or both?
The first thing I check is what the swelling is actually made of. True gynaecomastia is glandular breast tissue, a firm, rubbery disc that sits right under the nipple. Pseudogynaecomastia is mostly fat. In practice, most men I examine have a mix of the two, often with puffy nipples where the gland pushes the areola forward.
This matters because gland doesn’t respond to diet. You can drop a stone, train chest three times a week and still have the same disc under each nipple. That’s usually the point where men pick up the phone. I’ve written more about this in understanding gynaecomastia.
The usual causes are the hormone changes of puberty, anabolic steroids, some prescription medicines, alcohol and weight gain. In teenage boys it often settles by the late teens without any treatment. And a new lump on one side, especially a hard or sore one, needs a proper medical check before anyone talks about cosmetic surgery.
How VASER gynecomastia surgery works
VASER is ultrasound-assisted liposuction, and I’ve used it at the clinic since 2008. I numb the chest with tumescent local anaesthetic, then pass a fine ultrasound probe through openings a few millimetres long. The ultrasound breaks up the tough gland and the fat around it. I then remove it with a thin cannula and shape the whole chest, not just the patch under the nipple, so the lower edge of the pec looks cleaner too.
The procedure takes one to two hours. There’s no general anaesthetic. The small openings are left to drain rather than stitched, and you leave the clinic the same day wearing a compression vest.
If the skin is a little loose, I often add Renuvion skin tightening in the same VASER liposuction session. Renuvion uses helium plasma under the skin to help it contract as it heals. For mild to moderate gynaecomastia, in my experience, that means a skin-cutting operation is seldom needed.
When I add a small excision at the areola
VASER is very good at removing gland. Occasionally, though, a firm fibrous core stays put under the nipple. When that happens I take it out through a small incision at the edge of the areola, where the scar usually blends into the colour change.
I’ll tell you at your planning consultation if I think you’re likely to need this. That way it’s agreed in advance and isn’t a surprise on the day.
You can read and compare the options in more detail in my VASER vs gland excision surgery for gynaecomastia blog.
Google Review
Thank you Alan R for your wonderful 5 STAR Google Review
“Dr Hazem is one of the best! A very honest and capable surgeon. If you’re considering a procedure, invest in a consultation and see for yourself. You will not regret it and you will be in safe hands. A true master of his profession!!”
Related Blogs:
Man boobs gynaecomastia is not a topic that men feel comfortable talking about. Dr Kahlout shares his personal views and medical experience about this sensitive male breast treatment in a number of clinic blogs. To find out more please click one of the links below:
Recovery after male breast reduction
Most men are surprised how quickly they’re back at a desk. This is what I usually see:
- Days 1 to 3: the openings drain fluid, which is expected. The chest is bruised and tender, a bit like after a hard chest session.
- Within a few days: back to office work for most men.
- From day 3: manual lymphatic drainage massage, usually four to six sessions, twice a week.
- Weeks 1 to 4: the compression vest stays on for three to four weeks. Light exercise from about a week, building up as I review you.
- Months 4 to 6: the last of the swelling settles and the skin tightens. This is when you see the final result.
My full liposuction aftercare guide covers dressings, showering and what’s normal in the first fortnight.
Gynaecomastia before and after
These are my own patients, shown with their consent. Every chest is different, so treat the photos as a guide to what’s possible rather than a promise. At your consultation I’ll show you results from men with a similar starting point to yours. Most photos are taken around the three months post VASER gynecomastia surgery with liposuction.
Cost of gynecomastia surgery in Dublin
Gynecomastia surgery with VASER at the clinic starts from €2,950. Your exact price depends on how much tissue there is and whether you need the small areolar excision, and I’ll confirm it at your consultation.
If you’d like to spread the cost, Humm finance is available.
Why men choose Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic
I’ve treated gynaecomastia since 1999. I’m a member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) and the British Association of Body Sculpting (BABS), and you can read more on my doctor profile.
Men come to us from all over Ireland, including Northern Ireland. The clinic is small and private, which matters to a lot of men with this particular worry. Nobody in the waiting room needs to know why you’re there.
Recovery
After VASER liposuction is completed, the small 4 mm incisions are allowed to remain open (they are not closed with sutures) in order to maximise drainage of residual tumescent anaesthesia solution and fatty tissue. Sometimes a vacuum pressure drain is placed to aid further removal of operative fluids.
Results are visible immediately after the gynaecomastia VASER Lipo procedure. However, they continue to improve with time as the tissues undergo healing and retraction over the next four to six months. Recovery vary but most patients report seeing continued skin tightens over the next 4 to 6 months. Regardless of the method of treatment chosen, long term rejuvenation of the delicate neck skin is required.
Garment
We provided our patents with compression garments. These custom fit vests help your skin heal to the body’s new contours. They’re comfortable and should be worn for three to four weeks. After your procedure we recommend a short period of rest (typically 12 hours) and quick return to normal daily activity. Usually within a couple of days.
Skincare
Skincare corrects and also maintains optimal skin health. Post liposuction we recommend specific topical treatment creams to further enhance uneventful recovery and tighter skin results.
Regular application of skincare in the immediate post-op period allows for smoother transition to better results. ReFirm contains a unique combination of essential oils and repairing active peptides. Made with high quality natural plant-based ingredients. When combined with Recover Cream they have synergistic effect firming and healing treated area. Recover contains o.5% retinol and other nutrients to help balance the skin.
M.L.D.
After VASER Lipo, patients are prescribed a recovery protocol to promote maximum skin retraction for this important male chest area. After-all we are looking for even contour and boost in self confidence. We will most likely recommend manual lymphatic massage (MLD) therapy to enhance uneventful and speedier recovery.
We usually recommend four to six sessions with MLD therapist starting from the third day post-op. They are best spaced at intervals of two per week.
Book a gynaecomastia consultation
Why men choose Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic
In 2022, Virgin Media’s “Lucy Investigates” followed one of our gynaecomastia surgery patients through VASER liposuction treatment and recovery, and Lucy Kennedy interviewed me at the clinic.
Call the clinic on (01) 827 8766 or email info@castleknockcosmetics.ie. When you come in, bring a list of any medicines and supplements you take, including anything you’ve used for training. It helps me work out the cause.
FAQs
Is gynecomastia surgery painful?
The chest is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure and movement rather than pain. Afterwards it’s sore and bruised for a few days, and most men manage with simple painkillers.
Will I have scars?
VASER needs only a few openings a few millimetres long, and these usually fade well. If I need to remove a firm core of gland, there’s also a small scar at the edge of the areola, where the colour change helps hide it.
Will my skin be loose afterwards?
With mild to moderate gynaecomastia, rarely. Where the skin needs extra help, I add Renuvion skin tightening alongside VASER, and in my experience a skin reduction operation is seldom needed. Severe cases, where the skin hangs in folds, may still need one.
Is the result permanent?
Gland tissue that’s removed doesn’t grow back. The result can change if you gain a lot of weight, or if the original cause, such as anabolic steroids or certain medicines, starts again.
How soon can I go back to the gym?
Light exercise is usually fine from about a week. Chest work and heavy lifting come back gradually over the following weeks, and I’ll guide you at your review.
Can gynaecomastia come back after surgery?
It’s uncommon once the gland is removed. The main risks are steroid use, some prescription medicines and significant weight gain, so it helps to know the cause before treatment.
Is gynaecomastia surgery covered by the HSE or health insurance?
When it’s done for cosmetic reasons, it generally isn’t covered by the HSE or by private health insurers, and patients pay privately. Check with your own insurer if you’re unsure. Finance through Humm is available at the clinic.
I live in Northern Ireland. Can I still be treated?
Yes. Men travel to us from across the island of Ireland. The procedure is a day case, and I’ll arrange your follow-up reviews around your travel.
Related Treatments
High Definition VASER Liposuction
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