Puffy areola after gynecomastia surgery. (photo)

Following #Gynecomastia #surgery, 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.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. Also, 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. The #compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly you will #heal. It can also assist in the retraction of the skin. If you have any concerns about #healing, its best to ask questions of your surgeon or their nursing staff.

It's still a little early to make final conclusions. Puffy nipples that remain after surgery are usually due to residual breast tissue that was not removed during surgery. Give it at least three months before re-evaluating.

It has only been 5 weeks since your surgery, so I wouldn't worry too much about this.  It takes a good 3 months or so to see your final result.  It is not uncommon early in the postop period to develop scar tissue behind the nipple areola complex.  When this does occur, it can usually be successfully treated with a steroid injection like Kenalog.  Be sure to follow up with your plastic surgeon as scheduled and follow all of his/her instructions.  Good luck.