6 months after gynecomastia surgery my nipples are puffier than weeks after the surgery. it is seroma, fat, or what? (photos)

Question

i use the compresion garment 1 month after surgery, then the doctor says i dont use it any more. when i stop using it i notice one nipple was puffier than the other and i thought this could be seroma, went to doctor and he told me it wasnt (i never get any seroma out after the surgery) told me that with time it will get better. with time i notice the other nipple was getting puffier too and when i press boves nipples it hurts and im now 6 months post op. what should i do for this to get better?

Fady A. Sinno, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting pictures. I do see some fullness behind the areola. At 6 months, all post op swelling should have resolved, and a sequestered seroma is unlikely, so there may be some residual tissue (glandular and/or fat) still present centrally. Your early post-op picture looks very good and I agree with your doctor that compression is not helpful at this point. You should be re-examined by your surgeon to determine whether additional debulking may be indicated in the future. This is simple to diagnose and easy to treat. Best wishes!

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

If your nipples were not puffy for weeks after surgery, and now they are, it is possible that you have developed scar tissue that is pushing your nipples out. This can sometimes be treated with steroid injections at the office. Check with your surgeon. Good luck.

Mark Crispin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. It is hard to tell from your pictures whether or not there is fluid under your flap or in the flap, tissue swelling needs to resolve with time. If there is any questions, you could ask your surgeon to aspirate. I think it is time for another visit to your surgeon to address specific questions. Best of luck.

Matthew A. DelMauro, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) Swelling may take as long as 12 months to resolve completely. It depends upon surgical technique as well as the patient. Be patient, and follow up with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

6 months after gynecomastia surgery my nipples are puffier than weeks after the surgery. it is seroma, fat, or what? (photos)

Answers (4)