What can go wrong
What can go wrong after gynaecomastia surgery:
- bleeding under the skin (a haematoma), which sometimes needs a return to theatre
- a collection of fluid (a seroma) that may need draining at the clinic
- dents, ridges or unevenness in the chest, sometimes needing a small revision
- too little removed, so some fullness remains, or too much under the nipple, which leaves a hollow
- changes in nipple feeling: often numb at first, usually back over weeks or months, sometimes reduced for good
- the two sides ending up slightly different
- scars that stay red, stretch or thicken, especially when skin is removed
- infection, slow wound healing, a blood clot in a leg vein, or a reaction to the anaesthetic
- very rarely, loss of part of the nipple or areola because its blood supply failed
Your surgeon should tell you how likely each one is for you, and what they would do if it happened.
The hollow under the nipple
Taking out too much gland right under the nipple can leave a dip, sometimes called a saucer deformity. Surgeons usually leave a thin layer under the nipple to prevent it. Ask how your surgeon avoids it and what they'd do if it happened.
When it comes back
The result is usually permanent, because removed gland doesn't grow back. The chest can fill out again if you gain a lot of weight, or if the cause returns: anabolic steroids, some medicines, or a hormone problem. If you use anabolic steroids, or have used them, tell the surgeon. Gynaecomastia caused by steroids can come back if you take them again after surgery.
What lowers your risk
- If you smoke, stopping well before the operation and while you heal lowers the risk of wound problems and chest infections.
- Being at a steady weight that you can keep
- Telling the surgeon about every medicine, supplement and any steroid use
- Choosing a surgeon on the Medical Council's Specialist Division who does this operation often
- Following the aftercare: the vest, no lifting, walking every few hours
If something goes wrong
Ring the clinic straight away about a side that swells up quickly, a wound that opens or smells, a temperature, or a painful, swollen calf. For chest pain or breathlessness go to an emergency department. If you're unhappy with the result, go back to the surgeon first: small revisions are common and should be agreed, with their cost, before the first operation.
Questions people ask
Is gynecomastia surgery safe?
For most healthy men it goes well, but it's surgery with real risks. Your surgeon should explain how likely each is for you.
What is the most common problem?
Swelling, bruising and fluid that collects under the skin and needs draining.
Will I lose feeling in my nipples?
Feeling often goes numb at first and usually comes back over weeks or months. Some loss can be permanent.
Can it come back after surgery?
The result is usually permanent, because removed gland doesn't grow back. The chest can fill out again if you gain a lot of weight, or if the cause returns: anabolic steroids, some medicines, or a hormone problem.