Surgery is the best treatment we currently have for reversing excessive breast growth in male teens and men but scarring after Gynecomastia surgery is scary. The surgery can involve the cutting away of excess tissue and the suction of fatty tissue with techniques like liposuction.
As with all surgeries, scarring after Gynecomastia surgery is possible. If you’re worried about scarring after Gynecomastia surgery, you don’t have to be.
After learning more about scarring after Gynecomastia surgery using the helpful information below, you will soon see that the benefits of surgery far outweigh any negatives, scarring included.
What is Gynecomastia?
To begin, it helps to define what we’re attempting to treat. Gynecomastia is a medical term that is characterized by enlarged breast tissue in men, though the condition can appear at any age. The condition is sometimes crudely referred to as man boobs.
Gynecomastia is typically the result of hormonal changes, but can also occur because of obesity, heredity, and the use of some medications.
Male gyno can cause emotional distress, but the true effects seem to hurt the man’s self-esteem the most.
There are essentially two forms of gynecomastia. There’s true gynecomastia, which is caused by glandular tissue underneath the areola. Then there is pseudogynecomastia, where fatty tissue has caused the breasts to swell.
Gynecomastia surgery is an effective treatment for this excessive breast growth.
How Does Gynecomastia Scar Form?
When excess mammary gland tissue is present, the surgeon will make an incision that allows the gland tissue to be removed entirely. If excess skin exists, that tissue can be cut away before the rest of the chest is tightened and sutured.
What Can You Expect from Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery?
The gynecomastia surgeon will give you a compression garment to wear after surgery. It is important that you listen to all recommendations so that you heal properly. The compression garment contains foam pieces that hold your surgical site in place and improve circulation around the area. You will be told how long to wear the garment. In some cases, you may need to wear the compression vest for up to 18 hours per day for four weeks. Your time may vary.
Your doctor will advise that you refrain from vigorous exercise for at least a few weeks. This includes doing extensive housework, engaging in aerobics, or even taking long drives. Don’t lift more than ten pounds until your doctor gives you the green light to lift heavier objects.
You’ll be scheduled for a postoperative visit with your surgeon following your surgeon. The purpose of this appointment is to assess your progress and determine how you’re healing.
Gynecomastia scars will also be looked at to ensure they are healing and fading as expected.
Are Gynecomastia Scars Permanent?
When an incision is made, the cut reacts to the trauma created by the scalpel by forming a scar. Surgical scarring is permanent, but there is good news.
Since male breast reduction surgery is categorized as an elective or cosmetic surgery, significant effort is made by your surgeon to place your incision scars within the natural folds of your body.
The idea is to give you a more aesthetically pleasing chest. Having hidden scars will complete the effect.
With an improved upper body and concealed scars, surgery can enhance your self-image and confidence.
How Long Do Gynecomastia Scars Take to Heal?
Once you come out of surgery, the healing process for your scars begins. The cuts made during the procedure will eventually fade. They may go from a pink to a color that more closely matches your natural skin.
The length of time it takes for your scars to heal is around a year following surgery. Your surgeon may give you tips in the meantime to help with healing and further scar concealment.
Scar Tissue Can Form Under the Skin
If subdermal gynecomastia scar tissue does form, you might be able to break it up with a simple finger massage. Your surgeon can give you advice on how often and how much pressure to use during your follow-up appointment.
What About Nipple Scars?
Surgery can also be used to correct gyno nipples. During the procedure, the surgeon can resize and reposition the areola so that the chest retains symmetry. When the nipple needs to be corrected, the surgeon will strive to hide the scarring along the natural contours of the nipple. This tends to hide the scar unless someone is truly looking closely and searching for it.
How Are Gynecomastia Scars Formed?
You know that the scars are created with each incision. But there are factors that go into how a gynecomastia scar will look.
How the Wound is Made
Take time to find the best gynecomastia surgeon. The best and most experienced surgeon is likely to make a clean incision, which heals best and provides minimal scarring.
How the Incision is Closed
Aesthetic surgeons, which include gynecomastia surgeons, are wound care specialists. Their training focuses on how to manage wounds and how to get nearly invisible scarring.
Gynecomastia Scar Management
The way you care for a scar can determine how it will look in the future. Spend time massaging the gynecomastia scar and use silicone sheets, gel, or laser treatments as recommended by your gynecomastia surgeon.
Genetics
Some people have a predisposition to scarring badly. If you are one of those people, you may find that your gynecomastia scars appear raised, thick, and ropy. While it’s not easy to fight against genetics, your surgeon may have ways of minimizing difficult to heal scars.
What Will the Scars Look Like?
Most gynecomastia surgery scars measure about 4mm in length. This is the same size of scar you would have if you had a mole removed.
With severe gynecomastia that requires extensive skin excision, there may be longer scars involved. These will most likely be flat, thin, and light pink in color.
How to Reduce the Effects of Gynecomastia Scar
There are some actions you can take to reduce the appearance of scars following your male breast reduction procedure.
Practice Good Hygiene
Your gynecomastia surgeon will give you instructions on how to care for your surgical wounds during recovery. With male breast reduction, it becomes important to guard against germs and debris while preventing infection.
Gyno surgery recovery advice typically includes moisturizing the area to keep the scarring from becoming inflamed or discolored.
Avoid the Sun
Try to avoid too much sunlight, at least until your gynecomastia treatment scars are fully healed. You can use sunscreen to protect the area, but avoiding direct sunlight entirely is always best.
When using sunscreen, go with a 30 SPF or higher and reapply as often as you can.
Stop Smoking
Smoking tobacco reduces blood supply and prevents oxygen from reaching critical tissue. This is important during surgery recovery when good blood supply and healthy oxygenated blood is critical for necessary healing.
Smoking can also delay healing, which can lead to infections, not to mention ugly scars.
Medications
Ask your gynecomastia surgeon about prescription medications that can potentially enhance gynecomastia scar healing. These might be prescription ointments that you apply regularly to help the scars fade.
Silicone Sheets
These thin plastic sheets fit over the gyno scars to help it heal and fade. The sheets match the pigment of your skin and go to work instantly. Each sheet is infused with a special medication that rejuvenates the tissue. There are also scar gels that can be applied that work in a similar manner. These treatments can reduce the size of your scars and help them match the surrounding skin.
Laser Gynecomastia Scar Treatments
You shouldn’t worry too much about your scars until they have fully healed. You might be surprised by how much they fade as the months stretch by. Once the scarring after Gynecomastia surgery are fully healed, your surgeon may recommend laser treatments if more fading is required.
Laser technology allows for a microscopic beam that targets the upper layers of the skin. The technique is effective at minimizing scarring after Gynecomastia surgery, including those that originate from a gynecomastia procedure.
Multiple laser sessions might be needed, depending on the severity of the scarring after Gynecomastia surgery.
Don’t Forget About Nutrition and Healing Aids for Gynecomastia Scar Tissue Healing
During your follow-up appointment with your gynecomastia surgeon, you will be given tips on how to eat and rest to make the most of your surgical recovery. You will be taught which foods to choose for the most nutritional benefit. These include protein rich foods and those high in vitamins and minerals.
You may also be given a list of supplements to take to aid with healing. These can improve your blood circulation, make for faster healing, and treat your scarring after Gynecomastia surgery so that they are less noticeable over time.
Some of the vitamins and supplements you may be recommended to take include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Bromelain.
What Results Can You Expect with Surgery?
After your male breast reduction surgery is complete, and you have fully healed, your chest will yield a more masculine appearance.
If you have taken the time to find a skilled gynecomastia surgeon, you should have a symmetrical chest with nearly hidden scars. For some men, the scarring after Gynecomastia surgery are completely invisible for natural looking results.
Your results may vary, but you can get a good idea about the results you can expect by scheduling a consultation with a gynecomastia surgeon.
Is Surgery Worth the Chance of Gynecomastia Scar?
Now that you know more about scarring after Gynecomastia surgery, you have a decision to make. Would you rather live with your condition as it is right now? Excessive breast growth can lead to psychological distress as you begin feeling different than your peers. Some cases of male gynecomastia can come with discomfort or downright pain.
Or would you rather have your excess breast tissue reduced, even if it means a few tiny scars?
For many, the choice is clear. Having male breasts reduced can cause your self-esteem to surge. You can wear tight shirts without worrying about your female-like breasts showing, and swimming shirtless will become a no-brainer.
The first step is to seek the help of a board-certified gynecomastia surgeon who can tell you what type of gynecomastia you suffer from, and what type of treatment you’ll need.
You can schedule a consultation with Los Angeles Gynecomastia Surgeon Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki by calling our office at +1-310-694-4486. Ask about scarring after Gynecomastia surgery during your first appointment and you’ll soon see that scarring after Gynecomastia surgery are of little concern compared to the excellent results you’re sure to receive with gynecomastia surgery In & Near Los Angeles.
For More information, fill the form below or contact our gynecomastia doctors in Gynecomastia Center of Los Angeles.
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Dr.Babak Moeinolmolki
LA Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Moein is board-certified by the American Board of General Surgery.