Anesthesia Types

Gynecomastia Overview

The gynecomastia anesthesia options available in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Newport Beach have expanded due to meet the needs of men seeking gynecomastia surgery. Traditionally, gynecomastia was solely performed in an outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia. However, with the growing numbers of gynecomastia surgery patients comes the need for the procedure to be performed in a more expeditious manner, so men can get back to work and the demands of daily life. Much like other cosmetic procedures, this demand has created a new niche with having gynecomastia surgery in an office setting under local anesthesia.

Gynecomastia patients of Dr. Cruise are offered the following gynecomastia anesthesia options:

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia means the anesthetic is administered directly to the surgical area. It is similar to what you would receive when having a mole removed or when the mouth is numbed at the dentist prior to dental work. The anesthetic is given by needle injections to the specified area. In most cases, an oral sedative is taken prior to the injections, which helps relax the gynecomastia patient. Depending on how the sedative affects the patient, they could be awake during the procedure or fall in and out of sleep.

The area that is anesthetized will be completely numb and no pain will be felt during the gynecomastia surgery. Reasons why this option may not be suitable for some patients include: restless leg syndrome, anxiety issues, back problems, inability to lay still for periods of time, and health concerns. Local anesthesia cases are performed in a dedicated procedure room in the office.

Overview of Gynecomastia Surgery Under Local Anesthesia

The entire surgical experience (check in, sedation, surgery, recovery) is typically under 2 hours.
Patient takes an oral sedative prior to the surgery to ensure he is fully relaxed and comfortable.
Patient picks out a “Netflix” movie to watch while the surgery takes place. (some patients may fall asleep)
Patient is prepped for surgery. Dr. Cruise numbs the chest through injections much like the dentist. There may be some initial minor discomfort, but this subsides.
Once the surgery is completed, the patient is ready to go home. There is no nausea, throat pain, or severe grogginess as one would experience with general anesthesia.
Patient’s driver takes him home to rest and begin recovery. (Patients are required to have a driver)

The satisfaction rate for patients having gynecomastia surgery under local anesthesia is extremely high. The vast majority of prior patients recommend having gynecomastia surgery this way.

It’s important to note that not all patients are candidates for gynecomastia surgery under local anesthesia. The gynecomastia anesthesia options will be determined at the time of consultation, which takes place in our Los Angeles/Beverly Hills or Orange County gynecomastia office locations, and depends on a variety of factors, such as: severity of gynecomastia, health history, inability to lay still for an extended period of time, nervous disorders, patient preference, etc.

General Anesthesia

The most well known gynecomastia anesthesia option is general anesthesia. Gynecomastia surgery is performed in an accredited outpatient surgery center and anesthesia is administered by one of our board certified anesthesiologists. An IV is placed in the arm and performed with the use of an endotracheal tube for breathing assistance. The patient is completely asleep and will at no time be aware of their surroundings. General anesthesia is a “deeper” form of anesthesia that allows for more invasive procedures to be performed or for longer surgery times resulting from multiple procedures being done at the same time. This gynecomastia anesthesia option would be the best choice for patients who have any of the following: severe gynecomastia, combining multiple procedures, high anxiety , the inability to lay still for periods of time, airway issues (sleep apnea)

The causes of this problem can be anything from hormonal changes, medications, or even genetic predisposition. It is actually not uncommon for healthy teenage boys, beginning around 14 years of age, to have this problem through puberty. It is almost always a result of hormones and goes away in a couple of years.

When you consult with Dr. Cruise about your gynecomastia surgery, he will discuss your anesthesia options in detail. Your consultant will provide you a gynecomastia surgery quote outlining the difference in cost between local and general anesthesia.