Gynecomastia Risks and Complications
1. Bleeding
During or after the surgery, there is a possibility for bleeding to happen. Should this be the case, an emergency treatment might be needed to drain the blood that accumulated or a blood transfusion. There are certain types of medicines that should be avoided for ten days before the surgery, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications, because they can increase the chances of surgical bleeding. Some non-prescription herbs and dietary supplements may also produce the same results.
Another blood-related possibility is hematoma, which can happen at any time after the surgery, and may require intra or post operative blood transfusions.
2. Pain
No guts, no glory. And that would probably justify the pain that you are bound to feel, along with a burning sensation and skin irritability after the procedure. These symptoms vary in intensity and the length of time you need to endure them. Chronic pain can also be expected, but infrequently. This is caused by the nerves becoming trapped in scar tissue and there are times when there is no logical reason behind it.
3. Infection
Because you are given prophylactic antibiotics after the procedure, there is a very small chance of infection happening to you. If this happens, this can be treated by taking antibiotics, hospitalization, and if needed also additional surgery.
4. Different Nipple and Skin Sensation
After the operation, you might find the sensitivity of the nipples and the skin on your breast diminished. And because the nipples are part of the sexual experience, this might affect the man’s response during intercourse. In some cases, the loss is permanent for one or both of the nipples. Should the sensation return, it might come back with a vengeance and cause hypersensitivity on the affected areas. This can be lessened by gently massaging it while you are recuperating.
5. Increased Skin Sensitivity
Reactions like itching, tenderness, or exaggerated reactions to warmth or coldness can happen after the procedure. It is expected to be gone during the healing process. It can be chronic for the others.
6. Seroma
Though this rarely happens but there is also a chance that seroma, or the accumulation of fluids in between the skin and the underlying tissues, is likely to happen. Additional procedures like the drainage of the fluids might be required to treat it.
7. Skin Contour Irregularities
Other complications are irregularities of the skin both in contour and shape, including the visible ones and the palpable wrinkling and dimpling of the skin. They are mostly temporary, but some move on to become permanent. Massaging can help prevent that latter from happening. As far as appearance is concerned, one nipple shall be smaller than the other, which is the case when only one nipple is treated. “Dog ears” or the residual skin irregularities are prone to result in instances where there is excess skin. They may improve over time or in some cases, may need an operation to be corrected. You may also want to watch out for nipple retraction because of the skin shrinkage.
8. Scarring
Though scarring is part and parcel of any surgery, the scars from this one might create abnormal scars that may occur between the skin and the deeper tissues. Generally unpleasant to look at, some can be asymmetrical and may come from sutures. Some of the scars may require surgical treatment.
9. Discoloration of the Skin
Expect bruising and swelling after a gynecomastia procedure. The skin near the surgical sight can look a bit lighter or darker. This may persist for a long time and might become permanent for some.
10. Sutures
As a common part of surgical techniques, sutures are used during gynecomastia surgery and these can be pretty noticeable afterwards. Then can poke through the skin, and in some instances, it could cause some irritation.
11. Breast Asymmetry
The asymmetry of the breasts happens naturally to some men. The factors that could lead to this are skin tone, fatty deposits, skeletal prominence, and muscle tone. In the same manner, the differences in terms of the breast and nipple shape can happen after the procedure. Should you want to improve the symmetry, surgery would be your best bet.
12. Fat Necrosis
This condition happens when the fatty tissues that are found deep inside the skin die. This occurs when there is impaired circulation in the area which then results in the demise of the involved tissues. It creates areas that are dimpled and firm underneath the skin and produces the visible contour irregularities in the skin. Surgery is the only solution to this condition.
13. Delayed Healing
There are instances when the healing of the wound is delayed. It has been observed that specific areas of the breast skin or nipple region might take longer to heal than the other parts of the skin. The probable causes are poor blood circulation and smoking. To correct it, you need frequent dressing changes and more surgery to remove the tissues that didn’t heal. So, smokers, beware.
14. Deeper Structure Damages
Damages have happened to the deeper structures including the nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs during any procedures. The chances of this happening depend on type of procedure and may be permanent or temporary.
15. Solutions for Surgical Wetting
Large volumes of fluid that contain diluted local anesthetic drugs and epinephrine that are injected into the fatty deposits while undergoing surgery might cause the fluid overload or systemic reaction to the medications. Though considered rare, additional treatment and hospitalization might be the solutions.
16. Recurrence
The growth of the breast and adipose tissue after the procedure is definitely possible and shall depend on the hormone levels of the patient, as well as the extent of weight gain.
17. Shock
Considered extremely rare, there are instances when the surgical procedure causes severe trauma, specifically when multiple or extensive procedures are done on the patient. These serious complications are considered rare, but these infections or excessive fluid can actually led to serious illnesses or even death. Should this happen, hospitalization and additional treatment should be immediately sought after.
18. Allergic Reactions
Surgeries require the use of some tools and equipment, which might cause an allergic reaction to the patient. They include the tape, suture materials, glue, blood products, topical preparations and injected agents and are known to have caused shock (anaphylaxis) and other systemic reactions. Additional treatments are required to heal them.
There are several factors that can contribute to these risks and complications. The best way to avoid these from happening is to seek out the expertise of board-certified and credible cosmetic surgeons who have track record of creating satisfiable results.