What is the typical recovery time after Gynecomastia Surgery?

Question

I am suffering from gynecomastia. I consulted with my doc he said that it is glandular tissue.

Russell Bramhall, MBChB, FRCS(plast) · Answer

There are numerous procedures described for gynaecomastia with a whole host of different scars involving liposuction, surgical excision or a combination of the two.  The recovery period depends a little on what you are having done.  If you're having liposuction alone you should be home the same day provided you have a sensible adult staying with you that night, feel ok after the anaesthetic and are eating and drinking normally.  To get home the same day you also need to have a slightly earlier operating time during the day as if you come round from the operation late at night you will inevitably end up staying in hospital overnight.  If you have some glandular tissue excised with an open excision, some surgeons use drains afterwards.  If you have surgical drains most people stay in overnight and have them removed to go home the following day.  You should be able to expect the scars to have healed within two weeks, but are likely to be a slightly bruised and swollen still at that point.  Most people are advised to wear a compression garment of some description for a few weeks (opinions vary a little on this), would be exercising gently at a week and back to most of their usual exercise again within 4 weeks, but probably won't feel quite back to normal for more like 6 weeks.  Gynaecomastia surgery is easy to get wrong though so take your time, do your research and choose someone you trust.  Good luck!

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

Recovery  can vary from patient to patient. For my patients, they are usually able to drive a car within a few days and return to work usually within a week, and formal exercise within 6 weeks. Good luck.

Navid Jallali, MB ChB (Hons), MD, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

This will depend on the type of correction that you are having. Most patients have recovered by two weeks and are dressing free. I advice my partients to wear a garment for a further 4 weeks. Please see an experienced Plastic Surgeon who has a specialist interest in gynecomastia (male breast enlargement).

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

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.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. 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. Usually 1 week after #gynecomastia surgery you can begin taking moderate walks or ride a stationary bike. Strenuous workouts or aerobic #exercise can begin around 4 weeks post-op. I suggest you get approval from your doctor before you begin any physical activity and workout regimens. It important to prevent any damage to the surgical sites as you are healing. This will decrease your chance of requiring #revision procedures in the future. The best advice is to be patient as it is still very early in your post-operative #healing. If you have any concerns about #healing, its best to ask questions of your surgeon or their nursing staff.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

For men treated with CoolSculpting, there is virtually no downtime following the in-office procedure and you can make an immediate return to normal activities. Patients who have undergone surgical operation can expect some degree of bruising for a week and another week of swelling. 
Individuals usually return to work and normal activities within a week; however, strenuous exercise or taxing labor should be avoided until cleared by your plastic surgeon. 
Typically, we may recommend that you wear a pressure garment for three to six weeks to avoid sun exposure and allow the skin to adjust to its new contours. Some scarring in the incision areas may be initially visible, but these marks usually fade and improve as the healing process progresses. Ideally, this scarring should be protected from sun exposure for at least six months.
Dr. Karan Chopra
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Johns Hopkins Trained 
Body & Face Expert

Jayanthy Ravindran, MS, DNB, MRCS · Answer

Recovery after Gynecomastia surgery is usually not too long-winded or uncomfortable.Post surgery, there will be swelling and there may be some pain. In general, the first three to four days after recovery are the most difficult.
There will be incisions to keep clean and certain pain relievers may be prescribed to you to help you feel better as you heal. All told, you’ll need about two months to recover completely.
However, three or four days post-surgery, you should be able to resume your normal daily activities, or most of them. The exception is driving.
It’s best to wait at least seven days after your operation before taking the wheel. You’ll need to be patient in order to see results.
Swelling will need to go down before you attain the flat, masculine chest look that you want and this definitely takes time.

Robert J. Paresi Jr., MD, MPH · Answer

Thanks for the question.  Using a minimally invasive technique, patients can be fully recovered and return to full activity at 6 weeks.

Sean Doherty, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question. I recommend that my Gynecomastia patients take a week off from exercise. Walking around is perfectly fine during this time. During the second week, patients may perform light cardio work outs. At the 2 week point, patients are able to slowly get back to a gym routine--half the amount of time, half the intensity, etc. At three weeks post op, patients may get back to all activity in the gym except upper body work outs. These need to be on hold for 4-6 weeks. The reason to minimize activity after surgery is to reduce swelling, improve healing and allow skin and nipple tissue to settle down. I hope this helps and as always, I recommend speaking to a board certified plastic surgeon.

Sutton Graham II, MD · Answer

We give our patients general information about what to expect when excision surgery is needed.  Most patients need pain meds for a few days.  They resume office work in 5-7 days.  Compression vest is worn for 3 weeks.  They resume general exercise in 3 weeks and activities with direct chest pressure or impact in 6-8 weeks.  Full healing of the incisions and return of sensation may take one year.  Techniques and recommendations vary, so ask your chosen surgeon too.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

Each surgeon has his or her own guidelines for postoperative care. Typically, patients can resume light activities 5 to 10 days post surgery. Most strenuous activities are generally avoid for the first few weeks. Your surgeon will guide you as he or she understands the scope of the surgery and the specifics about you.

What is the typical recovery time after Gynecomastia Surgery?

Answers (13)

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