Can a Crater Deformity Be Fixed After Gynecomastia?

The areas after Gynecomastia Surgery may feel “lumpy” or irregular, and should decreases with time. Often massaging these areas will help soften the scar tissue. Also, the #compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly you will #heal. It can also assist in the retraction of the skin. If you have any concerns about #healing, its best to ask questions of your surgeon or their nursing staff. It's possible that any indentations could be addressed with fat grafting or cosmetic filler(s) if eligible.

Typically, its best to wait at least one year following the initial surgery to consider a revision. It is imperative you select a plastic surgeon who is #board-certified and has a great deal of experience with male breast #reduction. Plastic surgeons who have specialized in breast surgery and cosmetic surgery are suitable to perform your procedure. Aside from checking board-certification, it is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

Please be advised that each patient is unique and previous results are not a guarantee for individual outcomes. As with all cosmetic surgery, results will be rewarding if expectations are realistic. With any surgical procedure, there are some risks which your doctor will discuss with you during your consultation.

Fat grafting (transfer) or dermal fat grafting can fill in any divots under the areola.  One should wait minimum of 3 months before this touch-up.

Fat transfer can help. This involves taking fat from one part of your body, like your stomach, and putting it into the area of concern.

Fat grafting may be a good option to correct for your concern.  Photos may better aid in this evaluation.  Good luck and be safe.John T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICS
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

An exam is essential but from your description it would appear that you have internal scar adhesions between your skin and underlying pectoralis muscle fascia. Typically the adhesions are divided and fat transfer, lipoinjection often corrects this problem. See a board certified plastic surgeon.

Gynecomastia surgery can  be complicated by divots under the nipples.  The two main causes are

1. an under resection of the surrounding gland/tissue or 2. over resection of behind the nipple.  Either one causes divots in almost any position.  Divots that become apparent in certain positions is likely due to adherence of the of the nipple to the under lying pecoralis fascia.  

 Fat grafting is the solution to the divot in this scenario as it will free the nipple from the underlying pectoralis and help fill in the divot.

You will need a combination of fat grafting and possible some additional liposuction in order to help improve the crater. Make sure you see someone with some experience. Good luck. 

When the arms are raised the entire chest structures change.  You must decide on the outcome of your gynecomastia with your hands by your side looking into a mirror. You also have scar tissue which alters how things appear.  If the crater appears with your arms down this is a issues and fat grafting or a fat fap can correct.

A depression around the nipple/areola region can occur during a male breast reduction (gynecomastia) if too much fat or breast tissue was removed during your procedure.  I would recommend a fat transfer from another area (ex. abdomen) to fill in this defect.  This can be done under local anesthesia with relatively minimal pain and downtime.  You may need more than one session as some of the transferred fat may atrophy (shrink) and require further filling in the future.

Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to review your surgical options.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno

Sorry that your outcome did not meet your expectations.  Thankfully, many complications that arise in plastic surgery can be improved or alleviated.  The most likely fix for this problem is fat transfer from another region.  This may take several treatments to achieve an optimal result.  Good luck!