stitch from nipple to chest wall

[panther]

hey experts

I had a consultation today in Sydney Australia.

I don't want my nipples sticking out when i'm wearing shirts. The surgeon told me that after lipo and gland excission he can stitch both of my nipples to my chest wall, so as to aid in healing and having a flat chest.

Is this necessary? Is it common practice?

Cheers
Panther

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Simple response:  I have not had to do this in any of my considerable number of cases.  If the surgery is done properly, and the proper amount of tissue removed (and a certain amount of tissue retained to prevent cratering), then a "stitch" to hold the nipple down is absolutely not necessary. 

You will benefit, however, from a firm compression garment for at least a month or so after surgery to aid in having the undersurface of the nipple heal tight to the underlying tissues.

Dr Jacobs

[DrBermant]

hey experts

I had a consultation today in Sydney Australia.

I don't want my nipples sticking out when i'm wearing shirts. The surgeon told me that after lipo and gland excission he can stitch both of my nipples to my chest wall, so as to aid in healing and having a flat chest.

Is this necessary? Is it common practice?

Cheers
Panther

No it is not a common practice.

Drains, stitches, and After Gynecomastia Surgery Compression Garments can be used to help hold surface tissues to deeper tissues during early healing. I rarely need to use drains, they hurt more, need additional antibiotics, an extra incision, and they can slow healing.  I have not needed a "dead space" eliminating surface to deep tissue suture for many years, but some plastic surgeons are using such techniques during their Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty to lessen the need for drains.  Such sutures can enhance tethering of skin to deeper tissues beyond normal healing.  Something that just does not look good on animation.  I prefer the compression garment, a much more simple, comfortable, and elegant solution.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

[DrTeitelbaum]

I have never had to use a stitch to make the breast stick down to the chest wall.  In fact, doing so does not make sense to me, as a stitch in this location would likely have a high likelihood of causing some indentation or contour irregularity.

The real issue to consider is whether your nipples themselves are larger than you want them to be.  I've seen many men who have complained about their nipples being too prominent.  Once the gynecomastia is treated, they become much less noticeable.  But there are some men who just have really long nipples.  There are procedures to reduce nipples. 

This is usually done in women, but I have had to do it on a couple of men. I just mention it to be sure you have considered this other possibility.

Good Luck

Dr Teitelbaum