Complications

Complications occur in approximately 15-20% of patients, mostly relatively minor and don’t require further surgery. The more severe the pre-operative breast enlargement, the greater the amount of tissue removed, which leads to a higher chance of complications. Breast (chest wall) numbness is a normal occurrence that often improves with time.

• General complications of wound infection, delayed healing and prominent (hypertrophic) scar may occur.

• Haematoma (bleeding) requiring surgical evacuation occurs in 5-10% of patients; Fluid accumulation (seroma) is common in 10-20% of patience, and is usually treated by needle aspirations.

• Contour irregularity and chest wall creases / folds are common, and sometimes inevitable, particularly in patients who’ve had a lot of tissues excised.

• Partial or complete nipple loss is uncommon, but can occur in addition to decrease in nipple sensation.

• Under or overcorrection is a common and often subjective patient complaint.

• Some asymmetry is inevitable as with any bilateral surgical procedure.

• Redundant / excess skin at either ends of the scar can sometimes occur.

• A significant proportion (20-25%) of patients have revision surgery to improve the final outcome.

• Pre-existing lateral chest wall / armpit fat pad (prominence) may be improved, but won’t disappear with this operation when combined with liposuction.

The overall patient satisfaction rate is -75%. This is largely determined by a patient's expectations (which may be difficult to attain if unreasonably too high), severity of the gynaecomastia and occurrence of complications.