Bad Man Boob Surgery: Now What?

When you think about attractive, masculine looking chests, what images come to mind? A look that’s smooth and sleek? Ripped or cut? Both?

No matter which adjectives you might choose to convey your vision of the ideal male chest, it’s a sure bet they don’t include terms like lumpy, uneven or cratered. When a guy describes the results of his male breast reduction surgery that way, it’s truly unfortunate.

Plastic surgeons call this outcome “irregular contours.” In more than thirty-five years of performing surgery for gynecomastia, including revision procedures, we have worked with many men who have sought our help after primary surgery with another doctor. Most patients who end up with hills and valleys chose to work with a relatively inexperienced plastic surgeon, not realizing the potential consequences of that decision.

What Causes Irregular Contours?

A common cause of an unnatural looking outcome is the “liposuction-only” technique some cosmetic surgeons use to handle gynecomastia. This often results in over-removal, leaving areas that feel thin to the patient and can look sunken. Sometimes so much tissue has been suctioned away that skin becomes “stuck” to the pectoral muscle, resulting in a dimple or crater.

Laser liposuction for gynecomastia can yield even more disappointing results. This approach, which some tout as the most advanced technique, can cause excessive scar tissue and ruin the chance for smooth contours. We have seen a few cases in which a laser has actually burned the undersurface of the skin, causing internal scarring and visual disruption on the external skin too. There is no treatment for burn scars.

Sometimes cosmetic surgeons don’t remove enough tissue, leaving lumps of breast gland or areas that look and feel thick to the patient. Occasionally the chest looks noticeably asymmetrical after healing.

Can Poor Gynecomastia Surgery Results Be Fixed?

Disappointing gynecomastia surgical results can usually be improved, but it’s even more important to choose a seasoned gynecomastia specialist the second time around. The strategy will be to fill valleys and reduce hills caused during the first surgery. This takes a variety of techniques, plus a good deal of skill and experience in working with the male chest.

Filling craters and dimples is accomplished using fat transfer or fat flaps. When surface skin has adhered to the muscle underneath, it must be detached and buffered with fat tissue so it does not become “stuck” a second time.
Areas where not enough tissue was removed require careful and gentle re-sculpting. The ultimate goal is a uniform layer of skin and fat. If needed, injections can be given to smooth scar tissue.

If you’re seeking a revision surgeon, be prepared to make the most of your consultation. Evaluate the proposed approach critically and ask to see before and after revision gynecomastia surgery photos. Listen carefully to what your plastic surgeon has to say. He or she should explain how your results can be improved but not necessarily made perfect. Occasionally, nothing can be done.

We have performed male breast reduction revision surgery in South Florida for patients from around the globe. We can help you with travel arrangements and other assistance if you would like to consult us. Fill out our short form and we’ll be in touch!