After male breast reduction surgery, also known as a gynecomastia procedure, many men are understandably excited to start wearing tight-fitting shirts, or going shirtless at the pool or gym. Those days will come, but like any plastic surgery treatment, you should not rush recovering from gynecomastia surgery if you want to ensure proper healing and the results you desire.
Male Breast ReductionSurgery Recovery Timeline
How long will recovery take, exactly?
That answer depends on various patient-specific factors, including which techniques are utilized. For instance, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Abigail Rodriguez may recommend liposuction, breast tissue removal, skin excision, or a combination of the three based on the particular cause of your gynecomastia condition.
During your initial consultation, you’ll meet one-on-one with Dr. Rodriguez so she can examine your chest and determine the reason(s) for your enlarged male breasts. After Dr. Rodriguez examines you, she will determine the appropriate treatment(s) and discuss your aesthetic goals. Then, she will be able to provide a rough timeline of when it will be safe to resume certain daily activities. On average, here’s what patients can expect at specific time periods, starting the day of surgery:
That Same Day
Please arrange for a close friend or family member to drive you home after your surgery, since you will be recovering from the effects of anesthesia over the next few hours. Typically, you are released home within a couple of hours after your procedure is completed. You may already notice a difference in your chest size during this time!
The Next Day
You should start showering with soap and water, allowing soapy water to run over the incisions to keep everything as clean as possible. If liposuction is performed, you may notice some drainage from the small incisions which typically stops several days after surgery.
One Week
Within a week, most gynecomastia surgery patients are able to return to their jobs, provided the work is office-based and is not physically demanding.
Four to Six Weeks
If approved by Dr. Rodriguez, you may resume exercise around four weeks after surgery and may stop wearing the compression garment after six weeks. At this point, you will notice some significant improvement in your chest appearance, but the final result will take many months to see. Dr. Rodriguez may recommend lymphatic massage to help soften internal scarring from surgery and to help eliminate the swelling even faster.
Will My Flatter Chest Be Permanent?
The results from gynecomastia surgery are expected to be long-lasting. If an incision is used to remove enlarged breast tissue, the breast tissue typically does not grow back or recur. For areas treated with liposuction along the chest, the improved contour is expected to last as long as your weight remains stable. Weight gain after surgery can negatively impact your result and cause the chest to thicken again. Dr. Rodriguez advises you get to your goal weight before surgery and maintain that weight after surgery to ensure your results are as long-lasting as possible.
Self-Confidence Is Worth The Wait
After two months post-op, the vast majority of male breast reduction patients are excited about their more masculine chest contours. If you’d like more information about gynecomastia surgery in Houston, Texas, contact Abigail Rodriguez, MD Plastic Surgery today!