Gynecomastia Revision Surgery
Many of the gynecomastia patients that male breast reduction by Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Adrian Lo, MD, FACS, FRCS (C), are patients that are looking for revision surgery. Often, this is from patients having been to a surgeon who is NOT a gynecomastia specialist, and the surgery was not done correctly or completely. Dr. Lo will do a revision or “redo” surgery for patients who have undergone gynecomastia (or pseudogynecomastia) treatment — male breast reduction surgery, liposuction of the chest area or a combination of the two — but are unhappy with the results. Rarely, this may be one of Dr. Lo’s patients, but usually the patients will know in advance if they are a potential candidate for not getting a 100% great result. Sometimes, due to the man’s actual situation/anatomy, a perfect result may not be achievable. If this is the case, Dr. Lo will let patients know, and they may try a first gynecomastia surgery and see if the results are good enough to the patient, who will at the very least have a very good, much better chest. If not, Dr. Lo will do a revision surgery to try for further correction if possible.
Possible Reasons that the First Gynecomastia Treatment Was Unsatisfactory
Liposuction alone may be a suitable treatment for pseudogynecomastia (i.e., enlarged fatty tissue). However, liposuction by itself is not an appropriate plastic surgery treatment for true gynecomastia. If you have true gynecomastia, you need to undergo male breast reduction surgery, also known as subcutaneous mastectomy, during which Dr. Lo surgically cuts out the glandular tissue from the chest area. The problem is that many inexperienced surgeons treat true gynecomastia with liposuction alone. This does not get at the cause of the problem and can leave patients unhappy with the results of their plastic surgery procedure. For instance, Dr. Lo can use tumescent, ultrasonic or power-assisted liposuction to break down fat tissue in the chest area, but he cannot use liposuction to eliminate glandular tissue. To remove glandular tissue, Dr. Lo will surgically excise the excess breast tissue. If an untrained cosmetic surgeon simply performs liposuction on a gynecomastia patient, the patient may still see and feel breast tissue and puffy nipples, and require revision surgery to correct the problem further. Surgeons who have not seen many gynecomastia patients may simply perform liposuction or reduce male breast tissue without addressing the excess skin in the area. This can leave gynecomastia patients with saggy skin on the chest that will now require a revision surgery. There are different techniques to remove the loose and saggy skin, and Dr. Lo will recommend what is best for you to give you the best result possible with the least amount of scarring. Dr. Lo has developed a male breast reduction technique for severe gynecomastia that does not involve a vertical scar and does not detach or remove the nipple. Patients should understand that major weight gain, steroid use, marijuana use or other factors may stimulate the return of gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia, even after initial gynecomastia treatment has been performed. If you are considering undergoing gynecomastia treatment with Dr. Lo, it is best to hold off on the procedure until you are free of drug use and/or are at a weight that you feel you can maintain following surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Lo will advise you on the best course of treatment to give you the best results.
Things to Keep in Mind About Revision Surgery
Revision male breast reduction surgery is typically more difficult to perform than the first plastic surgery procedure. Dr. Lo will review possible scenarios and surgical options with you during your consultation, so you are aware of the pros and cons of revision gynecomastia surgery. Dr. Lo takes every precaution possible to avoid the need for revision surgery. From time to time, however, revision surgery may be necessary due to unpredictable healing or unforeseen circumstances. In these cases, Dr. Lo utilizes his gynecomastia expertise and commitment to patient satisfaction to improve his patients’ aesthetic results. All plastic surgery, but especially revision male breast reduction surgery, takes immense skill. That is why you must choose a plastic surgeon who has the know-how and experience to provide you with exceptional results. To learn more about gynecomastia revision surgery, or to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Lo, please contact his office by calling (215) 829-6900. Dr. Lo is proud to treat both adults and teens with gynecomastia.
