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Are Gynecomastia Surgery Results Permanent?

March 7, 2022

Are you considering gynecomastia surgery but worried it may come back some day? Many patients have concerns about whether their results will last long-term even as their health, weight, and other factors change over time. Continue reading to learn more about whether male breast reduction results are permanent.

Can Gynecomastia Return After Surgery?

In the vast majority of cases, gynecomastia will not return after surgery. During your gynecomastia surgery, most of the excess breast tissue is removed. All men have some degree of breast tissue. Leaving some behind helps alleviate the chances of a crater deformity. The remaining tissue will not regenerate following the procedure except in very rare cases. Similarly, fat cells that are removed through gynecomastia surgery will not regrow. 

If you do experience a change in your results, it could be due to weight fluctuation or skin laxity. 

Will Gynecomastia Return If I Take Steroids or Medications?

Prior to your gynecomastia surgery, it is best to address any underlying causes of the condition, especially if they could pose other health concerns. Gynecomastia is often caused by drugs such as steroids. This can include both prescribed medications and illicit drug use.

With this in mind, it is unlikely for continued use of these drugs to cause gynecomastia to regenerate. If you take steroids after your gynecomastia surgery, it is unlikely that it will jeopardize your results. However, be sure to disclose your health history with your doctor, including your previous gynecomastia and gynecomastia surgery. And, monitor any changes to your chest. If they persist and worsen, consider discontinuing the steroids.

You should always avoid illicit drug use for the sake of your overall health, but your gynecomastia is unlikely to return regardless.

Will Gaining Weight Make My Gynecomastia Come Back?

Fat cells that are removed during gynecomastia will not regenerate. However, significant fluctuations in weight can change the results that you achieved through your gynecomastia surgery. This is because the remaining fat cells in the area can grow bigger to store any excess weight that you might gain. If this is the case, you could develop pseudo gynecomastia in the future, or the appearance of “man boobs” due to excess fat alone. In addition, weight fluctuation can further stretch or damage the skin despite any previous skin tightening or sculpting that was completed in your gynecomastia surgery. In order to maintain your results and your best possible health, it is important to stay in shape and keep up a healthy and stable weight over time. Be sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet and exercise regularly.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Cruise

If you have previously had gynecomastia surgery and notice changes in your results, or you are otherwise dissatisfied with your results, you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Cruise. During your consultation, he can evaluate the area and determine the cause for your concerns.

Patients who had an initial gynecomastia surgery with another surgeon can often benefit from seeing a new surgeon when their results were unsatisfactory. In many cases, your poor results may be caused by improper techniques used in your initial gynecomastia surgery. Dr. Cruise is a leader in the field of gynecomastia surgery. He can recommend the best options for a revision gynecomastia surgery if necessary.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cruise, call our Newport Beach, CA office at (949) 644-4808 or contact us online. Fast track virtual consultations are also available. 

Plastic Surgeon | Website | + posts

Dr. Joseph Cruise is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Regarded as one of the top gynecomastia surgeons in the world, Dr. Cruise has gynecomastia-specific content that can be found at lagynecomastia.org. Dr. Cruise has dedicated his career to cosmetic surgery but has also had extensive training in General Surgery, Hand Surgery, and Microvascular Surgery. Dr. Joseph Cruise is also a member of the Rhinoplasty Society as well as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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