Gynecomastia Surgery And Medical Negligence
Gynecomastia surgery is becoming increasingly frequent in the UK, with statistics revealing 'man boob' reduction operations have increased by 27.5% since 2009. While many patients have reported excellent results, there are sadly some who feel their surgery was not performed to a high standard. In such cases, the patient may have been the victim of medical negligence.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a medical term which means male breast enlargement. In other words, it is a male who has female-like breasts. This will often occur in teenagers going through puberty, as hormonal changes often affect the breast gland (which is present in both men and women). However, gynecomastia in teenagers rarely continues beyond puberty, and by early adulthood only 10% have residual problems.
Gynecomastia is not just suffered by teenagers, as statistics show the condition is present in 30% of older men. This can be caused by the aging process alone, as skin starts to sag and fat begins to build up. Gynecomastia can also be caused by:-
- Anabolic steroids;
- Marijuana;
- Liver failure;
- Some cancers;
- Alcohol;
- Poor lifestyle;
- Congenital abnormalities.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Some men feel embarrassed about having so-called 'man breasts' and opt to have gynecomastia surgery which, in essence, is the same as a breast reduction.
The way the surgery is performed will depend upon the individual. If there is simply fatty enlargement of the breast, it may be sufficient to perform liposuction. This can be carried out under local anaesthetic, and involves inserting a tube into a very small incision. The excess tissue is then sucked out.
On the other hand, if the enlargement is caused by too much glandular tissue, it will need to be surgically removed. This will be performed under general anaesthetic, and will involve the surgeon excising the tissue with a scalpel. This will invariably leave scarring, particularly around the areola.
What Are the Risks?
All surgery carries risks, and gynecomastia is no different. Before consenting to surgery a patient should be well informed of these risks, which can include the following:-
- Too little or too much tissue being removed;
- Uneven appearance of the chest;
- Loss of sensation in the nipple;
- Blood clot;
- Infection.
Can Complications Amount to Medical Negligence?
A patient should be give information about the risks of gynecomastia surgery before the operation. Many of these risks are unavoidable. Therefore if a complication does arise, blame cannot always be placed upon one person or the other.
However, there are unfortunately times when a surgeon will perform gynecomastia surgery without the necessary skill and expertise. This can leave a patient with poor results, physical complications and psychological damage.
If have had gynecomastia surgery and you believe you have been the victim of a substandard level of care, you need to speak to a medical negligence solicitor. You could be legally entitled to claim compensation.
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Can We Help You With A Medical Negligence Enquiry?
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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