Male Breast Reduction Recovery
Learn About the Recovery Time After Gynecomastia Surgery
Summary: This article covers the male breast reduction recovery period, including tips to reduce swelling after surgery and the benefits of compression garments as healing aids.
Male breast reduction is typically performed with general anesthesia. As the anesthesia wears off, you can expect to feel tired, groggy, or nauseous. While you can usually return home the same day as your procedure, you’ll need someone to drive you. Once you return home, plan to spend several days recuperating from surgery before gradually returning to your normal activity level. Any stitches are usually removed about a week after the procedure, when you return for a follow-up visit to check your recovery progress.
Following male breast reduction surgery, patients can expect to feel some discomfort or tenderness in the chest area. Any pain you feel can be controlled with medications. Common side effects include bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness caused by the disruption of nerve connections. These side effects can be expected whether you undergo excision-only breast reduction or procedures involving liposuction. Most of these side effects should subside within a week or two, although some degree of swelling or numbness may last up to six months.
Tips to Reduce Swelling after Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Following the male breast reduction procedure, swelling may obscure the full results of your procedure. Although some degree of swelling is to be expected as part of the healing process, there are ways to reduce swelling, allowing you to the enjoy the results of breast reduction faster. Here are a few tips to reduce swelling:
- Stay hydrated, especially during the first few days after surgery
- Maintain a proper diet and avoid high-sodium foods
- Get plenty of rest. Avoid returning to your normal activity level too soon.
- Gently massage the chest area to maximize fluid circulation.
- Avoid medications that may interfere with fluid balance. Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking.
- Wearing a compression garment as directed by your doctor
Male Breast Reduction Compression Garments
A compression garment, in the form of a wrap or vest, should be worn over the chest for at least one to two weeks. Elastic compression garments reduce swelling and result in a shorter recovery period. This garment supports the tissues in their new position, helping the skin adjust to its new contours and reducing the possibility of skin looseness. Although they can be a bit uncomfortable until you get used to wearing them, compression garments are essential to the success of cosmetic surgery. They should be worn 24 hours per day for at least a week. Some patients then wear the garment only at night for an additional one to two weeks, because the garment can be seen under certain types of clothing.
Male Breast Reduction Healing Time
You can begin to return to some daily routines within three days, although the chest area will probably still be sore. Most patients return to work in about a week, depending on the nature of their work, although strenuous activities and exercise must be avoided for at least a month. Any physical activity that risks injury to the chest should be avoided during this time. During the initial healing phase, it is important not to stress the chest area through heavy lifting, exercise, pulling and pushing motions, or lifting the arms above the head. Avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight for at least six months, as it can permanently affect the pigmentation of incision scars.
Most patients find that the full results of male breast reduction are visible in about six months. The overwhelming majority of patients are very pleased with the results they experience following this procedure. As long as any underlying medical causes of breast development have been treated, you can expect the reduction in breast tissue to be permanent. Learn if you are a good candidate for male breast reduction.