Are The Side Effects Of Gyno Surgery Worth The Benefits?

At least 65% of the male population suffers from overdeveloped breasts. The causes may be many, but the effects are the same. It leads to low self-esteem, declining mental health, anxiety, and even depression. Fortunately, men no longer have to endure these, thanks to gynecomastia surgery. While exercise and diet can help reduce the size of breasts only in mild stages, surgery is the only treatment for Grades III and IV of male breast growth. However, many are concerned about the side effects of gyno surgery.

Male breast removal surgery:

This surgery involves the removal of chest fat, breast glandular tissue, or both from grown breasts in males. Either of the two techniques helps in male breast removal. These are liposuction and mastectomy.  Sometimes, surgeons may use a combination of both methods. The technique a surgeon chooses to perform on their patient depends upon:

1. Size of breasts
2. Condition of breast glands and tissues
3. Type of tissue involved (breast glands or fat)
4. Age of patient
5. Health condition of the patient

Read the blog on "Male breast surgery in Kolkata" to know more about the procedures.

Is gynecomastia surgery safe?

Surgery is always the last option for a person to treat any health condition. This is because any surgical procedure naturally comes with certain risks and side effects. Of course, there are side effects of gyno surgery too. But you always have to consider if the benefit outweighs the risks. We will discuss the side effects of gyno surgery in this blog. So, you can make an informed choice if gynecomastia surgery is safe or not.

Gynecomastia surgery side effects:

1. Heavy bleeding:

This may occur during the surgery. Immediate steps have to be taken to control the bleeding and or for blood transfusion (if need be). 

However, the chances of a heavy bleed are very low if an experienced breast surgeon like Dr V. S. Rathore conducts it. 

To avoid such incidences during the procedure, stop the intake of blood thinners like aspirin 10 days before your surgery.  

2. Pain and swelling:

After the surgery, you may experience pain and tightness around your chest. There may be swelling and bruising too. This will resolve on its own within 7-10 days. 

If the swelling does not go away or hardens over time, consult your surgeon. There may be fluid or blood accumulation underneath the nipple. They are known as seroma and haematoma respectively. Draining the fluid or blood resolves the issue. It is a simple procedure. 

3. Allergic reaction:

This is very uncommon. But there is still a very slight chance of an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic solution, surgical instruments, or medications. 

4. Infection:

There is a high chance of contracting an infection if:

1. The operation is conducted in an unsterile environment
2. The patient suffers from co-morbidities like diabetes

Consult your surgeon if you notice the oozing of a yellowish or greenish fluid at the site of the incision. It could be pus. Your surgeon may prescribe additional or a higher dosage of antibiotics to treat this condition. 

5. Breast asymmetry:

The two breasts may look different in both size and shape post-surgery. However, this only happens when an inexperienced person does the surgery. They may not have the necessary skill set to give you the desired outcome. 

6. Scarring:

This is one of the most problematic side effects of gyno surgery. However, this is a rare occurrence. Persons who tend to develop hypertrophied scars or keloids at the slightest cut may suffer from scar formation at the incision site. 

Otherwise, the minimal scar left behind blends in with the dark shade of the areola. 

Avoid sun exposure, heat beds, or saunas to prevent the prominence of the scar. 

7. Change in sensation and contour:

You may experience sensation loss in and around the nipple. It is usually temporary in maximum cases but may be permanent too. 

There may also be a change in the nipple and or breast contour. To avoid this, wear compression garments in the initial days after your surgery. 

8. Severe complications:

These include deep vein thrombosis, fat embolism, or even the collapse of the lungs. But these are extremely rare. Patients who face these usually have an underlying disease. 

Hence, it is important, to be honest with your surgeon about your health issues during your consultation.

Is there an alternative to surgery for gynecomastia?

Unfortunately, no. 

If your condition has progressed to severe stages, surgery is the only option. That is, if the lump has spread up to your breast margin and there is excess loose skin, there is nothing that exercise and diet can do. But if there is fat accumulation around your chest, you may benefit from exercise and a healthy diet. Moreover, if the condition persists for over a year, the breast tissue hardens. 

In these cases, the benefits exceed the side effects of gyno surgery.

To know more about the alternatives to this surgery, click here.  

How hard is the recovery after gynecomastia surgery?

It depends on how well you follow the post-surgical guidelines that your surgeon mentions. We will discuss in detail the recovery after the surgery in another blog. But, if you follow the dos and don’ts religiously, you should be able to resume work after about 2-3 days (if it does not involve heavy work). You can resume your normal routine after two weeks. Light exercises too can be done after 15 days. 

For strenuous activities like weightlifting or strength training, wait for clearance from your surgeon. This usually takes about 6-8 weeks. 

What is the success rate of gynecomastia surgery?

For renowned breast surgeon Dr V. S. Rathore, the success rate of gynecomastia surgery is nearly 99%. This is owing to his 18+ years of surgical experience. He has completed 9600+ surgeries in this period. Given his process, you no longer need to worry about the side effects of gyno surgery.

His only mission is to help his patients lead better life with high self-esteem and inner confidence. This he aims to fulfil with the use of modern technology and his expertise. 

Also Read: Is The Surgery For Gynecomastia The Only Solution?

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