Was my nipple damaged? After gynecomastia surgery (Photo)

Question

Hello Doctors, i underwent gynecomastia 12 days ago.. seeing good results. but still have hardness and little bit of pain [may be sensory discomfort]. it will go away in few days. but what bothers me is "my right nipple got scabbing just like normal body tissues and its superficial layer of my nipple getting shedded". my left nipple is just normal. please check out few images and tell me, is this normal or got damaged? my nipple normal contour and color will be restored?? thank you

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

You might lose just the top layer of the skin but it will probably go on to heal fine. Sometime this can happen depending on the blood circulation to the skin. Check in with your surgeon

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

BRUISING AND SWELLING: Bruising and swelling are normal and usually increase slightly after the removal of any tape or foam. The bruising will decrease over 3-4 weeks, but may last as long as 6 weeks. The majority of the swelling will be gone within the first 3-4 weeks. However, it may take 6-9 weeks to disappear completely. The compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly you will heal.NUMBNESS: It is normal to experience numbness around the areola and chest. As your body heals, you may notice random bursts of pain in your chest. This is usually a sign that the numbness is subsiding.LUMPINESS: As you heal, the area may feel “lumpy” and irregular. This, too, decreases with time, and massaging these areas will help soften the scar tissue.What will the scars look like? Following surgery, your incisions
will go through a maturation process. For the first few months they will be red
and possibly raised and/or firm. As the scar matures, after 6-12 months, it
becomes soft, pale, flat, and much less noticeable. You may experience
numbness, tingling, burning, “crawling”, or other peculiar sensations around
the surgical area. This is a result of the healing of tiny fibers which are
trapped in the incision site. These symptoms will disappear. Some people are
prone to keloids, which is an abnormal scar that becomes prominent. If you or a
blood relative has a tendency to keloid formation, please inform the doctor.ACTIVITIES: If your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause pain. Wait at least 4 weeks to begin aerobic exercise.As with all operations, pain and discomfort varies greatly from patient to patient. Generally, one should expect that pain medication will be required for the first several days. Continuing discomfort can last varying amounts of time. The best thing to do if you experience questions or concerns during the healing process is to visit your surgeon for a follow-up to make sure that all is progressing as it should.

Sean Doherty, MD, FACS · Answer

My guess is that just the top layer of skin coming off and the nipple will be fine. Keep an eye on it and if things don't improve then see your surgeon. You look good for 12 days post op.

Surjit S. Rai, MD · Answer

You are early in your post operative recovery period. In regards to the nipple color it isn't uncommon for breast procedures for darker skin individuals to have some loss of color to their nipples. As long as the nipple has a good blood supply usually this color returns overtime. I would share any specific concerns you have with your surgeon

Surjit S. Rai, MD (Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

M. Bradley Calobrace, MD, FACS · Answer

At 12 days post op everything looks to be healing well. The scab has come off your incision. Pigment will return to the areola it will take time especially in darker skinned patients. Very normal to feel some firmness and a small amount of discomfort at 12 days post operative. Continue to watch for any changes and report then to your surgeon.

Was my nipple damaged? After gynecomastia surgery (Photo)

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Was my nipple damaged? After gynecomastia surgery (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Gynecomastia results

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Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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