Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction) Post-Operative

Instructions

  • Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Follow balanced diet.
  • Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
  • Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
  • Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
  • Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
  • If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
  • Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

Activities

  • Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
  • Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
  • Do not drive until you have full range of motion with your arms.
  • No heavy lifting.
  • Return to work when you feel well enough - Could be 1 or 2 days after surgery or 2 weeks, depending on type of job. Stay away from any job or sport that risks a blow to your chest for at least 4 weeks.
  • Avoid sexual activity for 1-2 weeks and strenuous activity for 3-4 weeks.
  • Full social activities can be resumed in 10-14 days.

Incision Care

  • You may shower 48 hours after removal of the drainage tubes.
  • Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
  • Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
  • Keep steri-strips on; replace if they come off.
  • Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
  • No tub soaking while sutures or drains are in place.
  • Wear your pressure garment continuously for 2-4 weeks, and a few weeks more at night, or as advised by your doctor.

What To Expect

  • Minimal postoperative pain.
  • Discomfort for a few days.
  • Temporary bruising, swelling, soreness, burning sensation.
  • The worst of your swelling will dissipate in a few weeks.
  • All swelling and bruising should be gone in 3-6 months.
  • Temporary loss of breast sensation or numbness, which may last up to a year.
  • In about 1 month, you will be back to all of your normal activities.

Appearance

  • Flatter, firmer, more masculine chest contour.
  • Three or more months before final results are apparent.

Follow-Up Care

  • Drainage tubes are removed when less than 30 ml for 24 hours.
  • External sutures are removed 7-14 days after surgery.

When To Call

  • If you have increased swelling or bruising.
  • If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
  • If you have increased redness along the incision.
  • If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
  • If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
  • If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
  • If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
  • If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
  • If you have loss of feeling or motion.

For medical questions, please call:

  • (734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on call.