Say No to Gynecomastia Revision!

We were browsing the forums on gynecomastia.org recently, as we do at least weekly, to understand what guys are concerned about and to answer questions. We were struck by just how many posts in the “ask a surgeon” area were written by members who were unhappy with their surgical results. Performing so many revision gynecomastia surgeries as we do, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. But it is still startling and very unfortunate to take in the number of men who are dismayed after they heal.

It’s worth noting that some of these guys get worried too soon. Along with other gynecomastia specialists active on gynecomastia.org, we often find ourselves counseling patience for guys fretting about results just days or weeks after surgery. As we stress to our gynecomastia and revision gynecomastia patients, it takes months for the outcome to be final.

Disappointing Results

When patients are unhappy after several months of healing, these are their top concerns and how we handle them in our practice:

Craters

No matter what they look like—craters, indentations or valleys—sunken areas under the areolas or elsewhere on the chest form when too much tissue is removed. Whenever possible, we favor using fat flaps to repair the damage as a one-and-done procedure. Read more about crater deformities here.

Remaining tissue

The opposite problem also happens sometimes in the hands of inexperienced cosmetic surgeons: not enough tissue is removed, especially breast gland. We see this happen often when a surgeon performs liposuction only, and it can easily result in residual puffy nipples (as it did for this member of gynecomastia.org). For South Florida gynecomastia do-over patients with this problem, we use our specially designed cannula. It enables us to remove remaining gland with its sharp tip, lightly suction away any excess fat and re-drape skin to lie flat.

Scarring

What we advise guys who have scar issues depends on many factors. Time is one, of course. Surface scars do fade with time. However, if they are quite pronounced, a minor scar removal procedure may help. We determine whether there’s a chance for reasonable improvement in the consultation room.

When lumps and bumps show up under the skin after a few weeks of healing, internal scarring is likely to be the culprit. Steroid injections are often all that’s needed.

Tethers

When an inexperienced surgeon leaves an uneven thin layer of fat under the skin, scar tissue can form and anchor the dermis to the chest muscle. Tethering can be just a small issue or it can mar smooth results with creases and dimples. To address this complication for our gynecomastia revision patients, we release the scar tethers and rotate a fat flap between the skin and underlying muscle, much like we repair crater deformities.

The Many and the Few

If you browse the gynecomastia.org forums, you may also be struck by how many times guys post about these and other less than satisfying results of gynecomastia surgery. Even if you’ve dreamed about having male breast reduction for years, you could be put off by poor outcomes the forum participants talk about.

We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to happen that way!

Because there are many possible issues with male breast reduction, your choice of doctor is the one most important decision you can make. But board certified plastic surgeons who truly specialize in this type of cosmetic surgery are few. It takes a doctor with a keen interest in helping out guys with man boobs, it requires years of experience and it takes an artistic sense and a fine touch with the instruments.

Take a look at the list of top gynecomastia surgeons on gynecomastia.org—there are fewer than 20. But these professionals perform 50+ male breast reductions each year and some do many more. That’s the kind of dedication you should be looking for. These are the plastic surgeons who can help you get it right the first time and avoid craters, tissue left behind, tethers and other problems. And it’s worth traveling to work with one of them.

We’d be pleased to see you in our offices in the greater Miami area. Second gynecomastia surgery or first time, we’ll do our best for you. Call us at 561-367-9101 today.