Will revision for scar tissue post Gynecomastia Surgery just cause the same amount of scar tissue or more? (photos)

Question

gynecomastia surgery 1 yr ago. 5'11, 185lbs, male, age 33. Work out regularly & exercise. Had mild/moderate gynecomastia. Liposuction performed on chest to enhance results & doctor used drains post procedure for 24 hrs, & also stitches that had to be taken out 10-14 days post procedure. I ended up with some scar tissue/enough to bother me. Doctor states he can do a small revision under local but usually isn't successful. Said scar tissue comes back the same or worse.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos and question.  It is tough to know what to do here because the image is in great and I cannot tell if this is fat or a seroma that has turned into scar tissue.  Nonetheless, I suspect is easily correctable..

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear tiredeyes89,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I think the outcome of the procedure is directly related to how the procedure was performed.  in other words your chest contour is based on tissues removed and tissues not removed.

I don’t think scar tissue is creating a contour issue for you.

Gynecomastia surgery is not the easiest procedure to perform well with consistent high-quality results on every patient.

Even mild skin laxicity can also contribute and have an impact on what results look like.

The best way to assess the contour of underlying soft tissues is to put one arm behind your head putting both the chest skin and pectoralis muscle under tension.  while stretching one arm at a time behind your head with the skin and muscle under tension you should be able to pretty clearly see the underlying soft tissue contours.

If these are on even then they are uneven.  if your soft tissue layers are not even then making them even would improve the contour.

This may be easier said than done but it is in a nutshell what an assessment and recommendation would come down to.

The decision of having a revision is a combination of how much your current state bothers you and your current level of faith with your provider.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

it is hard for me to tell from your pictures what is bothering you about your chest. I personally strongly prefer direct excision in the OR and not liposuction, because direct excision of the tissue is more aggressive. However, your dr (hopefully a board certified PS) is correct, if you excise a small amount of scar tissue, the body heals by forming scar tissue. If the scar tissue that bothers you is quite small, it is probably a good idea to leave well enough alone,.

david berman md, frcsc

Will revision for scar tissue post Gynecomastia Surgery just cause the same amount of scar tissue or more? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: I would agree with your surgeon

Answer: I would agree with your surgeon

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Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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Will revision for scar tissue post Gynecomastia Surgery just cause the same amount of scar tissue or more? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: I would agree with your surgeon

Answer: I would agree with your surgeon

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.