Will the Skin Contract? Will the DIVOT Remain? (photo)

Question

I have scar tissue that is pretty tough, is there any chance it will go away? The areola skin is still loose, will it begin to retract? I think too much gland was removed on left side. Either way will the divot remain? I had a gynecomastia mastectomy with the general surgeon at Kaiser (1.5 mo/ago) b/c it was coved by insurance. It looks a lot better, but obviously I have my concerns. Thank you for your time.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Following #Gynecomastia #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.

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. Also, 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. 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.

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.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Time and massage may help.  If, after several months, there is no improvement then scar release with fat grafting may be used to revise the area.Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds 
of body contouring procedures and male breast reductions each year.  
Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo 
galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Bruce Carter, MD (retired) · Answer

There is likely to be some improvement in skin retraction and scar softening with time and massage but it is unlikely that the soft tissue deficiency will resolve.  To achieve a more uniform appearance, autologous fat grafting to the deficient  chest area would be appropriate.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

My guess from your photos is that you will need some fat transfer to the indented area to get a smooth contour.  I would, however, wait at least a couple of more months so everything can soften up and the swelling can resolve and your surgeon can get a good idea of how much fat will need to be injected.

Will the Skin Contract? Will the DIVOT Remain? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Correction of divot following gynecomastia surgery.

Answer: Correction of divot following gynecomastia surgery.

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Will the Skin Contract? Will the DIVOT Remain? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Correction of divot following gynecomastia surgery.

Answer: Correction of divot following gynecomastia surgery.

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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.