Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction) Post-Operative

Instructions:

  • Have someone else 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 you diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake
  • Take pain medications as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking pain medications
  • Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risks 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 that risks a blow to your chest for at least for 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 surgery with you back to the shower
  • Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months
  • Always use a strong sun block, 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 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 a 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 30ml for 24 hours
  • External sutures are removed 7-14 days after surgery

When to Call:

  • If you have increases swelling or bruising
  • If swelling and redness persist after a few days
  • If you have increased redness along the incision
  • If you have sever or increase 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 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:

  • 812-477-6600 Evansville Office
  • 812-634-6600 Jasper Office