Your Complete Guide to Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery

When planning your recovery, it’s crucial to understand what your body will look and feel like and what restrictions you must abide by. Knowing this information before your surgery will help you heal as safely and quickly as possible. This blog discusses the gynecomastia surgery recovery timeline to help you prepare before your procedure.

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Preparing for your Gynecomastia Surgery 

After you’ve decided to invest in a positive physical change for yourself, it can be exciting to plan for your gynecomastia surgery, especially if the appearance of your chest has been a long-harbored insecurity. While anticipating your newly contoured chest, it’s important to understand the recovery process before your procedure so you’re adequately prepared when you come home from surgery. Preparing for recovery ahead of time is a great way to ease nerves about the procedure, and will also ensure that you have everything you need to help your body heal. 

What Is the Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery Timeline? 

Below is a basic recovery timeline that many patients experience as their bodies heal from gynecomastia surgery. However, it’s essential to note that everyone’s body will heal in their own time, so you shouldn’t push yourself to recover quicker than your body allows. Additionally, follow your surgeon’s specific aftercare instructions and make sure they clear you before starting new activities during your recovery.  

Right After Surgery

Immediately after a male breast reduction procedure, patients must wear a compression vest to help promote optimal healing. Dr. Delgado has two types of compression vests he has specially designed for patients to use during these recovery stages. Patients may also have surgical drains placed under the skin to collect body fluid. You will need to stay in a recovery room for a short period so your surgeon can observe that everything is going as it should. After this, you should be able to go home on the same day as your surgery. 

You can expect to feel some pain and discomfort as the anesthesia wears off. There will also be some redness and swelling of the chest. There may also be some bruising and loss of sensation in the treatment area. 

A compression garment will need to be worn around your chest for the majority of your recovery, typically four to six weeks after your surgery. Unnecessary sun exposure on your chest should also be avoided for the duration of recovery to prevent permanent discoloration from forming, especially at the incision sites.  

One Week After Gynecomastia Surgery 

The first few days after surgery are when you typically feel the most discomfort; however, it is also an essential part of the recovery process. For the first three days after your gynecomastia surgery, you’ll need to spend lots of time resting and limit all physically intensive activities. Remember that rest is an essential part of the recovery process. You will also need to avoid lifting your arms up and avoid moving your shoulders so you don’t strain your incisions. 

Patients with desk jobs or other jobs that are not physically strenuous can often return to work one week after surgery. Your first follow-up appointment with your surgeon typically occurs around one week post-surgery, and this will be when the drains are removed. 

Two to Three Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery 

Strenuous activities must be avoided for four weeks after surgery. After four weeks, many patients can slowly incorporate Peleton-type, low-impact activities into their routines and slowly start back to full exercise at six weeks as long as their surgeon has cleared this timeline. 

Bruising tends to fade at this time.  

Six Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery

Most gynecomastia patients are considered to be fully recovered six weeks after surgery. At this point, you can likely resume all strenuous physical activities. You can also have your bare chest exposed to the sun, though wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is highly recommended. 

Three Months After Gynecomastia Surgery

It is normal for some swelling to remain, even after the general recovery period is over. Some gynecomastia surgery patients experience swelling for three months after surgery, after which the final results are fully visible. 

Want to Know More About Gynecomastia in San Francisco, CA?  

If you want to learn more about gynecomastia surgery in San Francisco, CA, and what the recovery process entails, you can call Dr. Delgado’s office at (415) 898-4161 or fill out our online contact form.