Gynecomastia Post-Surgery Swelling

Gynecomastia, like any other surgery, man’s chest has post-surgery challenges. Learn about the causes of gynecomastia post-surgery swelling and how to manage it. 

Gynecomastia is a condition involving male abnormal breast enlargement. The situation is referred to in other terms as ‘man chests.’

The condition is found mainly in teenage boys and older men. For signs of gynecomastia, you will notice an extra amount of tissue around your nipples which can happen to either one or both of your breasts. 

Notable Signs of Gynecomastia

For infants, gynecomastia comes about due to the mother’s estrogen. The result is swollen breast tissues that disappear a few weeks after the child’s birth. 

For older individuals, man chests occur between 50 and 80. The testosterone of more senior men decreases while their weight also increases, causing abnormal enlargement of their breasts. 

While gynecomastia is not a condition to worry so much about, it has its two main downsides, which include painful nipples from time to time and embarrassment due to the abnormal growth in the breast area. 

Below are symptoms of gynecomastia to look out for. 

The gynecomastia post-recovery process is smooth. Your surgeon highlights what to do and what to avoid to ensure you remain stable and speed up the healing process. 

However, in some unfortunate circumstances, you may experience gynecomastia post-surgery swelling. 

Your plastic surgeon may have highlighted during consultations that you may experience some swelling after the gynecomastia surgery. You will experience this swelling within the surgery’s first four to six weeks. 

The surgeon offers the compression garment to reduce the gynecomastia swelling after surgery and any bruising you may have suffered during the process. 

If you involve yourself in strenuous activities involving heavy lifting, you will most likely suffer swelling after gynecomastia surgery. Plastic surgeons advise that you wait at least six weeks as you have begun to regain some strength within this period. 

Most patients who suffer swelling after successful surgery do not take enough time to heal. Some resume strenuous activities about two to three days after the procedure. 

Gynecomastia post-surgery side effects

Meeting with your plastic surgeon gives you a better understanding of gynecomastia and how best to go around treating it. 

The surgeon explains the step-to-step information during the surgery and what to expect after the procedure. 

Common side effects you will experience include a burning sensation on the chest after surgery, swelling, and bruising. 

These are normal side effects in other surgery as well and are considered a normal part of the recovery process. 

Asymmetric Swelling

This is the most common side effect after man chests surgery. Several factors cause the occurrence of asymmetric swelling. 

When dealing with pairs of any parts of your body, you are likely to experience asymmetric swelling. 

To manage asymmetric swelling, wear the compression garment as advised by the doctor. It will greatly assist in reducing the amount of swelling. 

The garment helps drain out excess fluid and promotes proper blood circulation. It also ensures that the skin heals nicely and also falls flat as it should be. 

Indentation after surgery

Symptoms

Inverted nipples after surgery

Symptoms

Nipples are inverted

Nipples unable to harden

Causes of inverted nipples

Any surgery that has incisions within the procedure will cause inverted nipples. The nipples may take a few months before regaining normal sensitivity. 

With gynecomastia surgery, an incision is made around the areola to cover the scar. At this point, the nerves are also cut, and you will experience numbness for a substantial amount of time. 

Treatment

If you notice inverted nipples after gynecomastia surgery, talk to your plastic surgeon. He will help document the nerve sensation of your nipple area at each hospital visit. 

No specific treatment has been found for inverted nipples as the situation corrects itself after some time. 

Rash/Itching

Many patients develop a rash after the man chest surgery. You will experience this within the first few weeks after the procedure.

The main causes of the rash could be the recommended medication after the surgery, adhesive surgical tape around your breast area, glue, and topical creams. 

Treatment

The first thing for you to determine is if the rash occurs as a result of an allergic reaction. For instance, whenever you experience redness and itching, it could mean that the surgical tape is causing it. 

If the rash appears on a random area of the body, it could be a result of the medication recommended after the gynecomastia surgery. 

A normal rash worsens before it begins to get better. 

After your man chest and cosmetic procedure, ensure to consult your plastic surgeon immediately if you notice an unusual rash on your body. 

After how long does gynecomastia post-surgery swelling go down?

While the recovery time after the surgical procedure varies from patient to patient, the swelling may stay on for about four to six weeks. 

You will see a difference in your chest once the swelling subsides. 

How long it takes to heal depends on the type of gynecomastia surgery you go through. It can either be liposuction or a mastectomy. 

What are the recovery timelines after successful gynecomastia surgery?

Plastics surgeons recommend that you rest 24 hours after the gynecomastia surgery. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be requested to sleep on your back.

Below are the gynecomastia surgery recovery timelines, what to do, and what to avoid. 

1 Week Post Surgery

After one week, you will notice that the pain and the swelling will reduce. You may have some strength to return to work and take on a few light duties. 

The plastic surgeon recommends avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activities during this period. 

If you had stitches placed on the incisions during the surgery, use some time within the first-week post-surgery to visit the surgeon and have them removed. 

Remember to wear the compression garment throughout the day. 

2 Weeks Post Surgery

At this point, you are already beginning to feel normal. There’s minimal to no pain and swelling. You will notice that as you engage in your daily activities, you will experience no pain.

Even without the pain, you are still not cleared to take on heavy duties and activities involving so much strain. 

You can sleep on the side of your stomach at the end of the second week. However, you should still wear the compression garment throughout the day. It does a great job at ultimately reducing the swelling after the surgery. 

3 to 4 Weeks Post Surgery

At this point, you may be one patient cleared by your plastic surgeon to resume normal activities. You can go back to regular exercising but avoid any chest activities. 

You also do not need to wear the compression garment because you can bathe yourself at this point. 

You will realize that any bruising or swelling on your breast will be mostly gone, revealing a picture of how you will look without the man’s chests. 

6 Weeks Post Surgery

At six weeks, you have fully recovered from any bruises or swelling after gynecomastia surgery. At this time, you can go back to your regular exercising activities, even those you were avoiding that have an impact on your chest area. 

You can also sleep in any position and get comfortable without distraction from the swelling or pain from the bruises. 

If the swelling remains, it resolves independently within the coming few weeks. 

How to manage gynecomastia post-surgery swelling

Below are a few things you can do that will assist you greatly in managing the swelling after successful gynecomastia surgery. 

Wear the compression garment when recommended and take fluids

There is an excellent reason the plastic surgeon asks you to have the compression garment at all times during the day. Your skin and tissues begin to contract unusually and may cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. 

A compression garment helps control post gynecomastia surgery swelling, facilitates skin retraction, and provides support. 

Take enough fluids during the recovery process.

Tissue massage

After successful gynecomastia surgery, your skin and tissue are incredibly soft and malleable. Use this time to massage the skin affected by the surgery frequently. Massaging works wonders in helping reduce swelling and soften the scar tissue while laying out your skin evenly. 

Good posture

The most authentic fact to a speedy recovery which includes swelling reduction is in the state of your mind. Men may adopt a posture commonly known as the ‘gyno hunch,’ which they use to hide the breast swelling due to embarrassment. 

After the gynecomastia surgery, stand tall and maintain a strong posture. It helps to boost your confidence as you go through the recovery process. 

How to manage pain and scarring after gynecomastia surgery

Pain

After the gynecomastia surgery, you may experience moderate pain. You will mainly undergo this within the first two or three days pst surgery. The extent of the pain differs from one patient to another, depending on the scope of the procedure. 

More pain may also be a result of the swelling. To manage the same, the plastic surgeon will offer painkillers or a long-acting anesthetic that may last up to five days. 

Scarring

As there are different surgical procedures for gynecomastia, the extent of the tissue excision may cause scarring. 

The best gynecomastia plastic surgeon knows that placing the incision in low visibility areas is safer. 

To treat any form of scarring on the affected areas, you can get a topical scar lightening cream to minimize the visibility of the scar. 

If scar tissue forms in the area where the surgery took place, consult with your plastic surgeon and get the right ways to manage it. 

Conclusion

Gynecomastia surgery is a significant investment emotionally, physically, and even financially for a patient. It is only fair to get a good return, having made such a huge investment. 

After the gynecomastia surgery, the first thing to consider is to incorporate a different but healthier routine from what you have had in the past. Your plastic surgeon should recommend this. 

If you are looking for the best practicing gynecomastia plastic surgeon in Dubai, you are at the right place. Dr. Tarek comes highly recommended for his expertise in facial rejuvenation and body contouring.

If you need more information on how to manage gynecomastia post-surgery swelling, schedule an appointment with Dr. Tarek today. Find out about the cost of Gynecomastia In Dubai

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