Gynecomastia surgery is an increasingly popular procedure performed by board-certified plastic surgeons, although it does carry risks of bleeding and infection.
Patients must make an informed decision about whether or not to undergo gynecomastia surgery and choose a Board CertifiedPlastic Surgeon who takes their time, reviews risks carefully, and prioritizes safety first, says our plastic surgeon.
Table of Contents
1. Post-operative pain
Gynecomastia surgery should be painless; however, if any discomfort or itching arises during recovery period you can request pain medication from your plastic surgeon and massage the incisions to soothe any itching that occurs.
Some patients may experience “hard spots” or scarring within their breast tissue. This is normal and will eventually fade over time.
After gynecomastia surgery, you should refrain from any strenuous physical activities until you have fully healed. Light walking may resume immediately but any lifting or jogging must wait until cleared by your plastic surgeon.
As part of your recovery period, it is wise to avoid driving as pain medications could make you dizzy.
2. Swelling
A gynecomastia surgery usually results in some swelling, with its extent depending on your body. Thankfully, however, most individuals recover within a week postoperatively and the swelling subsides completely.
Swelling will gradually subside over time as your body readjusts to being out of bed, and can be reduced with applying ice and sleeping on your back. Swelling is not usually a major concern.
Nipple Sensitivity – Your nipples may become itchy or hypersensitive during the first three months of recovery; this is an indicator that your body is healing itself.
Your chest will start looking significantly improved from Day 1, with swelling and bruising slowly receding over time, eventually culminating in visible results.
3. Discomfort
A surgery can be painful and uncomfortable. To ensure an optimal experience and recovery from your procedure, take great care in taking care of yourself during this timeframe.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can provide temporary relief of discomfort; however, these medications should be used with caution due to potential adverse side effects such as stomach upset, bleeding in the bowels and difficulty with urination.
Recovery often includes itching. While this is normal, your surgeon will likely prescribe an ointment to ease it.
Most patients can return to work and light physical activities within one week following surgery; however, strenuous activity must wait for clearance from your physician.
At this point, most patients can generally sleep comfortably on their backs; however, it is still advised that you avoid sleeping on your stomach or side. Furthermore, it would be prudent to wear your compression garment throughout the day for optimal results.
4. Incisions
Your plastic surgeon will make several incisions across your chest during surgery to access excess tissue and reshape breasts.
Your doctor may make an incision underarm area to remove excess skin. This step helps minimize scarring.
Liposuction may be used by your surgeon to eliminate excess fat deposits. This process involves inserting a slim hollow tube called a cannula through multiple small incisions and moving it back and forth over the area to loosen any fat accumulations.
Your physician will conduct a complete breast exam and may suggest ultrasound or MRI imaging of your chest prior to any surgical procedures, in order to detect any abnormal growths and provide additional diagnostic information.
5. Recovery
Gynecomastia surgery is an intensive surgical process and recovery may take some time. It’s crucial that patients follow all post-op instructions provided by their surgeon closely during this phase.
Your post-surgical instructions will include specific care instructions and medications, which must be applied topically or taken orally. Furthermore, post-surgery meetings must be attended in order to facilitate healing without disruptions.
Most bruising and swelling should subside within weeks, although the final results of your surgery could take up to three months to fully appear. Therefore, compression garments should be worn for at least four weeks post-op in order to reduce bruising and swelling as quickly as possible.
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