RISKS OF GYNAECOMASTIA SURGERY

Gynaecomastia surgery is a very common and simple operation to perform. However, as with any surgery, there are always potential risks. A list detailing risks specific to Gynecomastia surgery is presented below, but please contact Dr. Harper on (02) 9977 2286 for more information on this surgical procedure.

These risks include:

• Hypertrophic or keloid  scars are surgical scars that may be inflamed, itchy or raised. Any person who has a history of getting keloid or hypertrophic scars is naturally likely to suffer from them. Though it is worth noting that hypertrophic and keloids  scars are not a threat to your health.
• Permanent changes to the pigment of the breast area can occasionally occur. 
  
• Temporary loss of breast sensation (numbness) a sometimes a side effect of gynecomastia surgery, and can on occasions last for up to a year. 
• Recurrence of breast growth post surgery may occur should the breasts not be finished growing at the time  surgery is performed (ie. if the surgery is performed on a teenage boy still going through puberty, etc). Note: it is always preferable to wait until growth has stabilised prior to having surgery.
  
• An additional surgical procedure may be required to remove any additional excess skin, in operations where a significant amount of fatty tissue or mammary gland is removed and the overlying skin has not correctly adjusted to the new breast size. 
• Slightly mismatched breast nipples or breast shape. Should this problem occur, a 2nd procedure may be required to correct the imbalance. 

General Surgical Risks

Along with risks specific to Gynecomastia surgery, there are more general risks which - though statistically very unlikely - may occur regardless of the surgical procedure you're undertaking.

These risks include:

• Swelling and bruising is to be expected with most surgical operations, but this generally subsides within two weeks to a month.  
  
• Wounds may occasionally bleed, post operation.  
  
• After undergoing a chest a general anesthetic, a chest infection may develop.  
  
• Circulation and heart issues such as heart attack or stroke, blood clotting (thrombosis). These conditions, should they occur, can be life threatening. . 
  
• Wounds may become infected. This is not very common, but if infection occurs treatment with antibiotics may be required.
  
• Difficulty breathing, due to the endotracheal tube or general anaesthetic, whcih may cause swelling and discomfort.  
  
• Abnormal scarring caused by the initial surgical incision. Should the scar be too noticeable, a second operation may be need to attempt to improve it.  
  
• Raised or unusually shaped keloid scar tissue. This is often pink, raised and may be tender and itchy for many months (but usually settles and fades in 18 to 24 months, post operation).
  
• Healing of the breast tissue and skin may be poor, and may result in the breakdown of the wound.