All plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures come with risks and potential complications. To ensure successful surgery, it is crucial to understand and minimise these risks. Whilst all measures are taken to mitigate risks, some risks are unavoidable.
All information on this page is general in nature – your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will discuss the specific risks and complications pertinent to your individual surgical procedure during your consultation. General risks for surgery are listed here.
Specific risks related to gynaecomastia surgery include, but are not limited to:
- Fluid accumulation: After the surgery, there is a possibility of fluid accumulating around the breast. This condition, known as seroma, may require additional procedures to drain the fluid. To prevent any fluid or blood accumulation, thin tubes called a drains may be temporarily placed under the skin while you’re in hospital.
- Fat necrosis: This is a rare complication that can occur when fatty tissue dies. It can cause hard lumps under the skin, but it is usually not a serious problem.
- Changes in breast and nipple sensation: Gynaecomastia surgery may lead to temporary or permanent changes in breast and nipple sensation. Some individuals may experience increased sensitivity, while others may notice reduced sensation.
- Asymmetry (unevenness) of the breasts or nipples: This is a rare complication of gynaecomastia surgery. It can be caused by a number of factors, including differences in the size or shape of the breasts before surgery, or problems with healing. A second procedure may be required to correct the imbalance in size or position.
- Excessive firmness of the breast: This is a rare complication of breast reduction surgery that can be caused by the formation of scar tissue.
- Potential partial or total loss of the nipple and areola: This is a very rare complication of breast reduction surgery. It is usually caused by damage to the blood supply to the nipple and areola.
- Requirement for further surgery to address complications: This is a rare complication of breast reduction surgery. It may be necessary to correct problems such as asymmetry, excessive firmness, or loss of the nipple and areola.
- Recurrence of breast tissue growth following surgery: This can occur if breasts had not finished developing, which is why it is extremely important to wait until growth has stabilised before having surgery.