Can removing the compression garment too soon after gynecomastia surgery permanently effect results?

Question

I am 4 months post-op with unsatisfactory results after a "moderate" case of gynecomastia which required lipo and direct incision. My PS cleared me of ALL physical activity and told me I could stop wearing the garment after only 10 days. He insists now that enough gland was removed and that the extreme puffiness/pointiness of the areola is due to sagging skin. If he is correct, is it possible that this sag could be from the premature removal of the garment and could this be permanent?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Our patients are required to wear a compression garment for the a few weeks following their #Gynecomastia surgery. The #compression garment helps to reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly you will heal.We recommend it not be removed, at all, until the second or third day after the surgery. After that, we suggest they feel free to temporarily remove the #garment for showering or laundering only. We encourage our patients to maintain circumferential pressure for 4-6 weeks, but they may switch to an exercise compression garment when advised.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

I recommend my patients wear their garments for a minimum of 3 weeks if not a lot of redundant skin following liposuction male breast reduction to a maximum of 6 weeks. To be effective the garment needs to fit snug but not too tight as to cause pressure problems (inspect your skin if discomfort and when skin is exposed), or prevent you from sleeping. As the edema resolves it is common for patients to switch to a smaller garment that fits - A Spanx type garment would work rather than ordering one or paying more at your doctor;'s office.Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Reduction) by liposuction requires compression garments for three main reasons:it restricts the amount of edema that forms and hastens its resolution by mechanical pressureIt decreases the amount of bruisingIt assists the loose skin in retracting or shrinking

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

4 months is enough time to get skin contraction.  while I generally have my patients wear garmets for a month, I do sometimes ask them to continue with night time compression if I still think there is room for contraction.  Removing a garmet at 10 days is early for my protocol, but every doc has their own formula and it's tough to say what's right or wriong.  You may just have skin laxity that didn't contract.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Like many plastic surgeons I prescribed a compressive garment aftertreatment of gynecomastia. Nevertheless, there's no evidence that they have any benefit long-term.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

No, I do not think that wearing the garment any longer would have changed anything. Without seeing pre-op and current photos I can't really comment on anything more.

Can removing the compression garment too soon after gynecomastia surgery permanently effect results?

Answers (7)