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The pull-through technique is the least invasive male breast reduction procedure reserved for select patients. Patients with a minor amount of sagging skin and excess breast tissue can benefit from this minimally invasive surgical technique.
Meet DR. DELGADO
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Delgado is an award-winning gynecomastia surgeon with 30+ years of experience treating some of the most complicated cases of male breast growth around the world. He is also the owner and operator of Gynecomastia.org, the largest gynecomastia forum in the world that has the goals of educating, supporting, and offering guidance to those men and families affected. Dr. Delgado is an expert in the field and donates his time toward both the treatment of gynecomastia and the advocacy of education in the surgical community.
VIEW FULL BIOWhat is the Pull-Through Technique?
The pull-through technique is a minimally invasive breast reduction surgery that is usually recommended for patients with mild to moderate gynecomastia. This procedure may not be available for everyone, since small amounts of tissue are removed through a tiny 3-5mm incision. Dr. Delgado will assess your symptoms and determine which is the best gynecomastia treatment option.
Who is a Candidate?
Men and adolescents with a minor amount of male breast enlargement may be candidates for this procedure. Significantly enlarged male breasts will require more invasive surgical removal techniques such as a mastectomy with a free nipple graft or the two-stage procedure. Not all patients can treat gynecomastia with this minimal technique but Dr. Delgado will determine whether you are a candidate at your initial consultation.
Pull-Through Procedure
The pull-through technique is generally performed as an outpatient procedure under general or local anesthetic, depending on the extent of the surgery. To start, fat will be removed from the chest cavity using liposuction. A tiny incision will be made at the edge of the nipple-areolar complex and then a cannula will be inserted under the skin to remove excess fatty tissue. This cannula has a vacuum-like suctioning device to break up and then remove fat cells.
Next, the excess glandular tissue directly responsible for gynecomastia will be carefully pulled through the incision and then the surrounding tissue is blended with special scissors. Liposuction can also be used to contour the fat and blend the newly toned area into the rest of the chest.
Surgical Recovery
Patients with a minimal amount of glandular breast tissue can benefit from a quicker surgery and quicker recovery time because of the minimally invasive techniques used during this procedure. You may be given a compression garment to minimize swelling and most patients will recover with 6 weeks. At your consultation, you will be given a gynecomastia surgery guide with more detailed information about you can expect during recovery. It is important to follow all of Dr. Delgado’s post-op instructions to ensure the best possible results.
Risks and Complications
Although this is a minimally invasive male breast reduction, there are still a few surgical complications to keep in mind. Bleeding and an adverse reaction to anesthesia are possible with any surgery but Dr. Delgado will carefully perform your tissue excision to minimize these risks.
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View PostWhy Choose Dr. Delgado?
Dr. Delgado is an expert plastic surgeon who has been performing gynecomastia surgery for over 30 years. He will be honest about the procedure necessary to remove your excess breast tissue and resolve your symptoms. He has been working with his team for many years and they work to provide a safe treatment environment where you can feel comfortable asking questions about your condition and feel confident in the treatment you are receiving.
Schedule a Consultation
Many men with gynecomastia are bothered by the appearance of their enlarged breasts and seek cosmetic surgery to resolve their symptoms. Dr. Delgado is one of the most experienced plastic surgeons in the field of gynecomastia and has spent over 20 years treating gynecomastia. Schedule a consultation today by calling our office or filling out an online contact form.