Similar to any major plastic surgery procedure, gynecomastia surgery also involves a certain level of risk. A highly trained and experienced surgeon will be able to minimize the risks, provided that the patient follows their pre and post-surgical guidelines in a committed manner.
At the time of the initial consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient of the potential risks and complications of male breast reduction surgery to enable them to make a judicious choice.
Board certified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) provide male breast reduction to patients in Houston, Texas, TX, and surrounding communities.
Potential Complications
Serious complications are rare in gynecomastia surgery. But the patient should have clarity on the potential risks in any case. The patient should freely ask the surgeon about the risks involved at the time of the pre-op consultation process. Potential complications associated with gynecomastia include:
- Bacterial infection
- Poor response to anesthesia or drugs
- Slow healing
- Blood clotting
- Unwanted scarring
- Excessive blood and fluid loss
- Accumulation of fluid underneath the skin
- Friction burns
- Numbness in the incision areas
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Damage to the nerves or skin
- Damage to vital organs
Extremely Rare Complications
In rare instances, severe complications may develop during or after gynecomastia cosmetic surgery. These complications may include:
- Cardiac arrest
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Internal blood clots
- Excessive bleeding
- Acute drug interactions
- Allergic responses to anesthesia or medicines
- Permanent nerve damage
- Seizures
- Brain damage from anesthesia
Ideally, patients should work with a board certified plastic surgeon who will invest in the highest quality standards and breast practices, adopt advanced surgical techniques, and follow the latest safety protocols to develop safe and predictable results.
Risks of Excessive Fat Removal
Certain surgeons may choose to adopt an aggressive approach to eliminate an excessive quantity of fat from the breast region at once through direct excision or liposuction.
If the surgeon undertakes excessive liposuction in a single day, it can pose a risk for the patient due to the loss of blood and bodily fluids. This is a common risk related to liposuction if the surgeon does not adopt a conservative approach.
The removal of excess fat or glandular tissue can also lead to dents, lumps, and loose skin in the chest region. Male breast reduction should be undertaken in stages to minimize the risk of such complications and mitigate the side effects of overexposure due to anesthesia.
If the patient needs a substantial amount of fat removal, it may be necessary to perform the liposuction in stages.
How to Minimize Risks?
The patient should honestly reveal to the surgeon their current medical condition, drugs and supplements, and complete health history, including previous surgeries if any. In case a patient is a smoker, he will need to stop smoking for at least a minimum time duration specified by the surgeon.
In minimizing the risk of gynecomastia surgery, preparation is a vital part. Cosmetic surgeons at the ACPS receive patients from Houston, Texas, TX, and nearby areas for male breast reduction.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.
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