Gynecomastia Surgery Compression Garment. How Tight Should it Be?

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.

The vest should be snug but not to tight to cause discomfort. Each surgeon has their own instructions for the length of time to wear the vest. For my patients, I want them to wear it for 6 weeks, and then they can resume all normal activities. Good luck.

Firm compression is helpful in decreasing post operative swelling.  However, overly tight compression may cause skin necrosis.  Be careful and communicate with your surgeon.John T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICS
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Compression garment after a gynecomastia should be snug, not too tight to help minimize swelling, and help shape the chest (keep the skin adhering to the chest wall) without being too tight so that you can't breath properly.  I ask my patients to wear it for 2 weeks continuously

I generally recommend patients wear a support garment for 6 weeks - night and day for the first three weeks, and then during the day for another three weeks. This garment will help reduce swelling and conform the skin to your new shape. It should be snug, but not so snug that you have trouble breathing. If your compression garment isn't as snug, you should ask your surgeon for a replacement.