12th day post op gynecomastia surgery, my nipple incision are open. Any suggestions? (photos)

BRUISING AND SWELLING: Bruising and swelling are normal and
usually increase slightly after the removal of any tape or foam. The bruising
will decrease over 3-4 weeks, but may last as long as 6 weeks. The majority of
the swelling will be gone within the first 3-4 weeks. However, it may take 6-9
weeks to disappear completely. The compression garment helps reduce the
swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly you will heal.

NUMBNESS: It is normal to experience numbness around the areola and
chest. As your body heals, you may notice random bursts of pain in your chest.
This is usually a sign that the numbness is subsiding.

LUMPINESS: As you heal, the area may feel “lumpy”
and irregular. This, too, decreases with time, and massaging these areas will
help soften the scar tissue.

ACTIVITIES: If your work keeps you sedentary, you
may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until
your work activity does not cause pain. Wait at least 4 weeks to begin aerobic exercise.

As with all operations, pain and discomfort varies greatly from
patient to patient. Generally, one should expect that pain medication will be
required for the first several days. Continuing discomfort can last varying
amounts of time.



Following surgery, your incisions will go through a maturation
process. For the first few months they will be red and possibly raised and/or
firm. As the scar matures, after 6-12 months, it becomes soft, pale, flat, and
much less noticeable. You may experience numbness, tingling, burning,
“crawling”, or other peculiar sensations around the surgical area. This is a
result of the healing of tiny fibers which are trapped in the incision site.
These symptoms will disappear. Some people are prone to keloids, which is an
abnormal scar that becomes prominent. If you or a blood relative has a tendency
to keloid formation, please inform the doctor.

If you find yourself worried at all about the healing of your incisions it would be a good idea to schedule your visit with your surgeon to have the area evaluated for proper healing. Good luck.

Thanks for the question and photo. You appear to have a minor wound which should heal soon. I suggest you talk to your surgeon, but I would have my patient keep it clean and apply antibiotic ointment. Good luck!

Hi gabey55,Thanks for the post and photo. It looks like you have a small skin separation after the sutures were removed. This should heal but I recommend you contact your plastic surgeon for any specific recommendation. Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand