38y/o male, 215lbs, 6’1, belt lipectomy & gynecomastia surgery together?

Question

I am a 38yo male. 15 years ago I lost 200 pounds. I’ve been relatively stable around 215 pounds, at roughly 6’1 tall, for 15 years. I had a consultation with a plastic surgeon who told me I needed a belt lipectomy and gynecomastia surgery. He said both surgeries had to be separately, that they were hard on the body I received a consultation from another doctor who agreed on the treatment. But she said both surgeries could be done together, saying, “they’re routine procedures I do.” Any advice?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Old Goat 1985,  Thank you for your question regarding undergoing a belt lipectomy and simultaneous gynecomastia surgery.  Thank you for your history.  Congratulations on your massive weight loss over 200 pounds.  Great job!  The answer to your relatively simple question has many factors.  First, consult with a plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss.  Not all plastic surgeons perform these procedures on a routine basis.  Most plastic surgeons specializing in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss can combine the belt lipectomy and the gynecomastia surgery in one surgical setting.  Combining these surgeries depends on the skill set of your chosen plastic surgeon.  Some plastic surgeons are not comfortable performing both procedures at the same time; likewise, some plastic surgeons who specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss have created a team of anesthesiologists, surgery techs, physician assistants, and nurses to create an efficient, comprehensive operating team, which can perform the belt lipectomy and gynecomastia surgery simultaneously.  If you are healthy, don’t smoke, have a stable weight, and your plastic surgeon feels comfortable performing these procedures, you can undergo these combined procedures.  However, if you are unhealthy, smoke, have uncontrolled medical conditions, and your weight is unstable, you may not be a great candidate for these procedures.  I would procede with the plastic surgeon who you feel more comfortable with.  Good luck.  I hope this helps to answer your question about whether you can undergo a belt, lipectomy, and simultaneous gynecomastia surgery. 
I hope I have answered your question regarding combining the belt lipectomy and gynecomastia surgery.  If you have any more questions regarding gynecomastia surgery, male breast reduction surgery, liposuction for gynecomastia or male breast reduction after weight loss, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Since these are big procedures, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the belt lipectomy and gynecomastia surgery simultaneously.  Do your research.  Ensure they have performed at least 100 torsoplasty surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced torsoplasty plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FICS, FACS. (President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank you for your query. Combining the two surgeries depends on the extent of both procedures and comfort of your surgeon. While a single recovery seems attractive, sometimes it is better to have procedures done separately for limiting  the operative time . I often combine the two procedures and have not had any problems. Please discuss your preferences and concerns with your surgeon/s and decide. All the best!

Ramin Behmand, MD, FACS · Answer

Many plastic surgery procedures can be safely combined, both for efficient recovery and the surgeon's ability to perform optimally during one operation. When faced with conflicting recommendations, it can be beneficial to either seek a third opinion for additional perspective. However, if you're unsure, it's often safer to stage the surgeries. You can always do more procedures after assessing the results of the first, but you can't easily undo what has been done. Without knowing more about your specific health details and seeing photos, it's difficult to provide a definitive recommendation. You might also feel more comfortable with one surgeon over another, which is significant. Consider revisiting each surgeon for further discussion to help make your decision.

Dr. B.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

There is no doubt that these two surgeries can be done together. You should discuss this issues with your surgeon further. Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Each provider will have their own opinion in regards to what is or not appropriate.
Generally, it’s to the benefits of the surgeon to do procedures combined because it’s more cost-effective.
When surgeons recommend doing them as separate procedures, they are thinking of your health and well-being first and foremost.
Quality procedures done with attention to detail takes time.
It would be a good idea to ask each provider what their estimate time frame is for how long it will take to do each of the procedures.
More than anything else I recommend you focus on trying to find the provider who’s gonna give you the best result.
 You didn’t mention what kind of gynecomastia surgery they’re going to do.
You didn’t include pictures, but my best guess is that all of your problems are related to skin laxity not gynecomastia or excessive breast tissue.
This means that chest surgery most likely needs to be on skin removal, not removal of breast tissue.
Ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of previous patients who had similar body characteristics to your own.
Ask them to show you their entire collection of chest lift surgery as well as body lift on middle-aged men after massive weight loss.
If the providers don’t have an impressive collection of before, and after pictures, then maybe you haven’t found the right provider for your needs yet. 
Gynecomastia surgery can be done in many different ways and if a formal chest lift is done then that’s a pretty time consuming and involved procedure.
If you’re just going to do liposuction and an open section of breast tissue and that doesn’t take all that long.
In the end, the goal should be to get the best outcome and obviously always maintain safety first.
The key is to find the provider that has the most talent and has done A lot of these procedures before.
It may not be a bad idea to consult with more than two surgeons before picking up provider.
I generally recommend patients always have in person consultations and avoid virtual consultations whenever possible.
Good luck,
Mats Hagstrom MD

38y/o male, 215lbs, 6’1, belt lipectomy & gynecomastia surgery together?

Answers (5)

Answer: Abdominoplasty and gynecomastia surgery done together

Answer: Abdominoplasty and gynecomastia surgery done together

Answer: Combined procedures

Answer: Combined procedures

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38y/o male, 215lbs, 6’1, belt lipectomy & gynecomastia surgery together?

Answers (5)

Answer: Abdominoplasty and gynecomastia surgery done together

Answer: Abdominoplasty and gynecomastia surgery done together

Answer: Combined procedures

Answer: Combined procedures

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Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.