How Long Is A Compression Garment Needed After Male Breast Reduction?

Compression garments are most important in the first 48 hours after surgery.  They help reduce the risks of bleeding and bruising.  I typically have men wear them until they come back to see me post-op, a half of a week to a week later, and then can switch to a light compression shirt like Under Armor after that.  They can be worn longer for comfort and security if desired, but I haven't seen any evidence that long term use improves the final result.

If the surgeon is using a compression garment, which we employ for a variety of surgeons for gynecomastia, then it typically is most beneficial for 1 to 2 months after surgery.

We generally recommend wearing a compression garment for 6 weeks for a better recovery and outcome. There are times when it may need to be worn longer if you are still experiencing quite a bit of swelling.

Although the recommendations should be customized for each patient, we recommend wearing compression garments for the first 1-2 weeks and then selectively using a compression undershirt during the day until you feel comfortable without it. Healing continues for months. The main purpose of these garments is to reduce swelling and bruising in the first few days. Secondary purposes include reducing discomfort and helping the skin to contract more smoothly.

In general I recommend wearing the garment for six weeks post op. I also recommend that the patients keep the garment as they will experience swelling after exercise and the garment can be very useful to control the swelling even after six weeks. The type of garment will depend on your surgeon.

There are lots of different methods to correct gynecomastia. The size and shape of the gynecomastia can also vary. Because of this, some patients may need to wear it longer than others. I usually tailor my patients' postoperative guidelines based on all these factors. However, I tell most patients that they should expect to wear their garment up to 6 weeks. I believe that it decreases pain, prevents seromas (fluid collections), stimulates blood flow to the area, allows for skin contraction, and improves shape. Especially for those moderate to severe cases where their is an excess in skin, continuous wearing of the vest for longer than 3 weeks really is essential to obtaining the best contour in the long run. Regardless, follow your own doctor's advice as he or she will determine the length of time you should wear your garment based on your own situation and his technique.