How long does it take to see absolute final results from gynecomastia surgery (only gland removal and no lipo)?

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. If you have any concerns about #healing, its best to ask questions of your surgeon or their nursing staff.

You should see some immediate improvement, but swelling will ensue and last for several months.  In general, the results should be apparent right away, but will continue to evolve (generally improve) for 3-6 months as the swelling resolves and tissue redrapes. 

Thank you for your question.  Results vary based on the size of gland removed, but you can anticipate long term results to be present at about 6 months after surgery.  

My general observation over twenty five+ years is that for the majority of my patients (it varies from patient to patient) that you will have about 85% of your results at 3-4 months and final result at one year.

You should expect it will take several months to see absolute final results from gynecomastia surgery, generally 3 to 6 for complete healing. 

The degree of swelling that occurs after gynecomastia surgery will depend on the exact procedure performed. For example, swelling tends to be greater with larger areas treated, especially with liposuction surgery. Generally however swelling should subside and you should see your final results 3-6 months post op. Occasionally, again depending on exactly what procedure was performed and factors such as skin elasticity,  results may improve even up to one year postoperatively. Best wishes.

It can take several months for the swelling to subside from gynecomastia surgery. Best to be patient.

Gynecomastia results should be apparent right away even as early as your first postoperative visit. It is concerning that you had only direct excision and no liposuction. Please see appropriate results shown below.

Dear foreveryoung908,

Every patient heals at a different
rate, but in general glandular excision and reduction will have significant
swelling and edema and firmness in the gland for 3-6 months. There will be some subtle remodeling and
settling over the first year. In
general, the results you see at 9-12 months are unlikely to change
significantly and can be viewed as your final result. Decreased sensation in the area may take longer
than a year to return, but usually full or near full sensory return is to be
anticipated and there is a very low probability of recurrence.

I hope this information is of some
assistance and best of luck.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto