After gynecomastia surgery my right side nipple totally damaged. Is there any remedy? (Photo)

Thank you for your question about a damaged nipple after male breast reduction for gynecomastia.  First, I would wait until you are about two to three months healed from your gynecomastia surgery.  In terms of male nipple reconstruction, there are two main options – medical grade tattooing and male nipple surgery.  Medical male nipple tattooing should only be performed by a certified, medical grade tattoo artist.  I do not advise going to your local tattoo pallor.  Medical tattoo artists can do wonders with shading and tattooing to recreate the male areolar and nipple. The male nipple tattoo provides color to the areolar and creates a picture of the nipple.  Medical tattoo artists can even create shadows and a great illusion of a male nipple.  However, the problem with the male nipple areolar tattoos is that it is only a two dimensional picture of the nipple.  There is no nipple projection.  If you need or want nipple projection, this can be achieved with several different plastic surgery flaps using local tissue.  Alternatively, a male nipple can be created with fat grafting or tissue grafting.  If you have any other questions regarding male nipple and areolar reconstruction after male breast reduction, gynecomastia, and chest sculpting, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. J. Timothy Katzen

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.

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 in order to receive answers for post-operative healing is to visit your surgeon and have the area examined to make sure that everything is progressing as it should or if any corrections or revisions are needed. Good luck.

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph and I can see your areas of concern. You have suffered some loss of the outer skin of the nipple and areola that led to its lighter color, but this should heal and return to normal in a few months.  As for the remainder, you are still early in the recovery period and you need to allow more time to pass for the swelling in your chest to resolve and the tissues to soften and return to normal.  This constricted look should improve.  Hang in there!

I know that things look really bad, but you are still early in your recovery. For now, as hard as it is, I would simply wait and see. At the 6 month post op mark, if the look of your nipple still hasn't improved then schedule an appointment to see your surgeon to discuss options. There are a few. Best of luck.

You appear to have suffered some loss of pigment, as well as some nipple retraction following your mastectomy for gynecomastia. I too would hope that the pigment will return. That process may take several weeks. Regarding the nipple retraction, it is also far too early to make a determination about whether that will be permanent or not. I recommend keeping in close contact with your surgeon.

i can understand why you are upset. however, the pigmentation will almost certainly come back. it may take several months. also there is swelling this early. Don't even consider doing anything for 3-6 months, at least. you will probably be very pleasantly surprised, how much it improves on its own with time.hang in there.david berman md