27 Y/o Gynecomastia Surgery, with Lipo

Today (day 6) I changed the paper tape dressings over the areola incisions for the first time. There is still some yellow bruising, mild swelling and temporary creasing on the skin from the dressings, but I'm happy with the result and being very cautious to follow all directions from my surgeon, so that it stays that way. I've seen some botched jobs on the incisions in some photos that other people have taken, so it's good to know that I appear to be on track for them to heal nicely.

Today is day 3 after my surgery and I'm surprisingly feeling great. Ive only had to take 2 pain meds(Tramacet) since the surgery and have have been off them completely for the last two days. I'm now only taking the antibiotics (Cephalexin) that my surgeon told me to continue taking for 7 days. I was given a prescription for stomach aches as well, just incase, but I haven't had to take them at all. I have to keep reminding myself to take it easy and to not overdo it with my healing, because I wasn't expecting to feel this good 3 days later. I still have bruising that is starting to develop a little more up around the collarbone and sternum and numbness around the nipples on both sides, but barely any pain. I asked my surgeon about the numbness and he said that can either be permanent or it may get better with time. Luckily it's not overly noticeable unless I touch my chest, rather than a constant tingling feeling, which I think I would have more of an issue with.

I was able to take my first shower yesterday and took another one today with no issues or discharge coming from the incisions. My surgeon instructed me to keep the paper tape over the incisions until they start to come off on their own over the next couple weeks, at which point, replace them with paper tape that I can buy at the pharmacy. The compression vest that I have to wear for the next 4 weeks is really discrete under my clothes which I'm happy about. Its similar to the elastic material you find with athletic compression shirts, but it's a lot tighter, so I do find it a little uncomfortable around the belly and find that I keep adjusting it throughout the day to relieve some of the compression around my stomach. It's more just uncomfortable when I sit, or after I eat, and can be a little itchy. Nothing I can't live with though, and no pain around the incisions themselves.

I can already tell I'm going to go a little stir crazy from not being able to work (massage therapist) for about a month or to go to the gym until my follow up apt on Feb 21st. The surgeon said to come back in 4 weeks but I live 5 hours drive away and would have to get a hotel again, so I won't be able to make it back to Edmonton until about 6 weeks after, unless I feel like there are any concerns that I would need to go sooner than my schedule allows. It's -30C where I live in Northern Alberta, so I'll have to find some indoor activities to keep me occupied. Any recommendations? Lol

I probably won't do another update until there are some changes in my progress, but feel free to message me if you have any questions about the healing process