Can Gynecomastia Return After Surgery? What You Need to Know

When planning to opt for a male breast reduction surgery, it’s natural for you to have a few concerns – Would Gynecomastia recur after the surgical procedure? Apart from going under the knife to correct the enlarged breast issue, you might have to spend your money and time on recovery. While Gynecomastia surgery is very effective and transformative, it is essential to understand the factors that might trigger its recurrence. Keep reading to learn about the factors influencing the return of Gynecomastia, and identify the signs for better management to ensure long-term benefits.

Can Gynecomastia Come Back After Surgery? The Short Answer

Yes, Gynecomastia might return even after a male breast reduction procedure that is performed to eliminate enlarged breast tissue. However, such instances are rare. Almost all surgeons specializing in Gynecomastia surgery would nod in unison that a few factors like hormone fluctuations or underlying health issues might lead to its recurrence [1]. In 2017, the result of a study on Gynecomastia surgery recurrence was published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal. It showed that just 12.5% of the participants faced recurrence after Gynecomastia surgery only after 10 years. It also revealed that about 90% of the study participants did not face the return of Gynecomastia after the procedure [2].

Reasons Gynecomastia May Recur After Surgery

Before you undergo Gynecomastia surgery, it is essential to stay aware of the factors that can cause the return of your man boobs. Make a note of these major reasons that can affect the long-term benefits of your Gynecomastia procedure to prevent its recurrence.

1. Increase in Body Weight

While your surgeon would do a good job of removing the unwanted enlarged breast tissue, an increase in your body weight will enlarge the fat cells in your chest [3]. It can affect the contoured look of the chest achieved through the Gynecomastia procedure. So, maintain your ideal body weight after your procedure for Gynecomastia to flaunt a well-defined chest even after several years. Follow a consistent workout regime along with a balanced diet to put the recurrence of Gynecomastia at bay.

2. Underlying Health Condition

Enlargement of the breast tissue might recur due to an underlying health issue referred to as pseudogynecomastia [4]. It develops owing to the formation of excess fat in the chest area while true Gynecomastia occurs due to excess skin and glandular breast tissue. It can be eliminated through liposuction to remove excess fat rather than removing the glandular tissue or loose skin in the chest area.

3. Consuming Marijuana

Using marijuana is a major reason behind the recurrence of Gynecomastia, especially among males within the age group of 10 to 35 years [5]. Marijuana use kindles estrogen production hormone that takes care of the growth of breast tissue while depleting the androgen hormone levels [6]. Such hormonal imbalance can lead to the return of Gynecomastia. If you wish to keep the results of Gynecomastia surgery intact, stay away from marijuana.

4. Taking Specific Medications

Some of your medications might cause a spike in estrogen levels while lowering the amount of testosterone in your body. It includes anti-androgen medications taken for treating prostate cancer and enlarged prostate condition [7].

5. Using Performance-Enhancement Drugs

These drugs can influence the return of Gynecomastia even after the procedure [8]. Such drugs can be stimulants, human growth hormones, diuretics, creatine, anabolic steroids, and androstenedione. Avoid using performance-enhancement drugs to prevent breast tissue enlargement condition.

6. Poor Diet

Following a well-balanced diet with nutritious ingredients is essential to prevent Gynecomastia recurrence. Avoiding foods like dairy products, canned foods, fat-rich fried foods, and soy products will help you achieve toned chest look after the procedure in the long run.

7. Consumption of Alcohol

High intake of alcoholic drinks will harm the level of testosterone production in your body, which can cause your breast tissue to get enlarged. It is important to stay away from alcohol to maintain the results of the Gynecomastia procedure.

8. No Workouts

Your surgeon would advise you to perform chest strengthening exercises 6 weeks after male breast reduction surgery. Chest workouts will help in regaining the taut chest appearance and not following a regular exercise routine will lead to Gynecomastia.

9. Seroma Build-up

Your surgeon would advise you to wear a compression garment for a couple of weeks soon after Gynecomastia procedure [9]. It applies pressure consistently on the surgical site to provide support and prevent swelling. However, if you fail to wear the compression garment until the prescribed period, the chance of seroma buildup is very high [10]. In such cases, you might have to consult your surgeon to drain the fluid through a simple procedure.

10. Incomplete Glandular Tissue Removal

If your surgeon is inexperienced, he might not remove the enlarged glandular tissue completely, which can cause its regrowth after surgery. If you have severe Gynecomastia, incomplete glandular tissue removal might make it recur within a few months of the procedure.

Gynecomastia Recurrence: Key Statistics & Contributing Factors

Aspect	Details
Long-Term Recurrence Rate	Approximately 12.5% over a decade post-surgery – Source
Recurrence in Lipomatous Gynecomastia	62.5% recurrence rate observed in long-term follow-up – Source
Recurrence in Glandular Gynecomastia	12.5% recurrence rate observed in long-term follow-up – Source
Common Causes of Recurrence	Hormonal imbalances (e.g., increased estrogen levels) Significant weight gain leading to fat accumulation Use of substances like marijuana, steroids, or certain medications Underlying health conditions (e.g., liver disease, thyroid disorders)
Preventive Measures	Maintain a stable, healthy weight through diet and exercise Avoid substances known to affect hormone levels Regular medical check-ups to monitor hormonal balance Consult healthcare providers before starting new medications

Note: Individual outcomes might vary. Follow post-operative care instructions and maintain a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Signs of Recurrence of Gynecomastia: What to Watch For

If you are facing any one or more of the following signs that indicate the return of Gynecomastia, it is essential to consult your surgeon immediately to treat it.

• Growth or Lump It is one of the common signs indicating the recurrence of Gynecomastia. You might feel a small lump or slight growth just below your nipple. Seek the advice of your surgeon to decide the next step to treat it.
• Feeling Pain in the Chest You might feel tenderness or mild pain in the chest, which indicates breast tissue enlargement after Gynecomastia. Sometimes, your nipple might be sore or painful especially when fabric rubs against it.
• Discharge from Nipples In rare cases, people might see discharge from their nipples in milky white or clear shade. It might also indicate the return of breast tissue enlargement.
• Asymmetric Look One of your breasts might look larger than the other after a couple of months after Gynecomastia. It indicates the recurrence of enlarged glandular tissue due to uneven distribution of breast tissue in the chest.
• Psychological Changes Sometimes, you might feel anxiety or emotional distress regularly, which is another tell-tale sign of Gynecomastia recurrence.

How to Prevent Gynecomastia From Coming Back

To prevent the recurrence of Gynecomastia after the surgical procedure, it is essential to follow a healthy lifestyle that incorporates a nutritional diet, regular workouts, and not taking performance drugs, steroids, and alcohol. It is also important to follow these tips to avoid Gynecomastia recurrence.

1. Stay within Ideal Body Weight Range As Gynecomastia can also occur due to excess body fat, it is essential to maintain the ideal body weight range. Ensure you perform workouts every day followed by a balanced diet to avoid it from recurring.
2. Keep Your Chest Fit Don’t forget to indulge in regular workouts including chest exercises to keep it stronger and sculpted. Workouts help eliminate the recurrence of enlarged glandular tissue, burn fat and stay fit for a longer time.
3. Consume Hormone Balancing Foods Eating foods that are non-processed, low in sugar and fat, and loaded with nutrients will help keep Gynecomastia away. Stay away from foods with high phytoestrogens like liquorice, legumes and soy foods for regulating hormone levels.
4. Limit Substance Intake Refrain from taking anabolic steroids, recreational drugs, and alcohol after the surgery. These substances can cause fluctuations in hormone levels and lead to the return of Gynecomastia.
5. Pay Attention to Medication Intake Always discuss the medications that you take for any health issue with your Gynecomastia surgeon. Some medicines might spike the level of estrogen, which might cause enlarged breast tissue.
6. Follow Post-Surgery Care Instructions Follow your surgeon’s advice after the Gynecomastia surgery to lower risks like recurrence and quicken the healing process. Don’t miss the follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor the healing process.

What to Do If You Notice Signs of Gynecomastia Recurrence

• Fix an Appointment with Your Surgeon If you notice any sign related to Gynecomastia recurrence, consult your surgeon immediately.
• Examination and Tests Your surgeon might perform a chest examination and might suggest hormone tests to check for any imbalance. He might also suggest a few tests to rule out the presence of any chronic medical issues.
• Medication Alternatives You can also discuss the alternatives for your current medications that might cause the return of Gynecomastia.
• Discuss Treatment Options Based on the factors triggering Gynecomastia return and its severity, your doctor would discuss surgical intervention or adjust medications for better results.

Why Choosing the Right Clinic Matters for Permanent Results

Choosing a renowned clinic with a best plastic surgeon for Gynecomastia surgery ensures permanent and satisfying results. This clinic in Hyderabad has a team of surgeons specializing in performing Gynecomastia surgeries while offering customized pre-operative assessments and post-surgery care instructions. They also ensure that you stay educated about the lifestyle modifications and chest exercises you need to perform after the healing period to avoid recurrence. You can also discuss the ways to avoid Gynecomastia return and the signs you need to look out for to detect its recurrence early.