Recovering from Gynecomastia Corrective Procedure

Gynecomastia correction is commonly performed for improvement in the aesthetics. It is done as an outpatient or short stay procedure. Which means that patients do not have to spend a long time at the hospital. 

Anesthesia: Depending on the severity of gynecomastia and patient preferences, the corrective surgery is carried out under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. In case of small enlargements carried out under local anesthesia patients are sent home the same day. In case of cases treated with general anesthesia, we opt to retain the patient overnight at the hospital. 

Returning home: Patients can go home the next day after the change of dressing. Patients are usually comfortable after the surgery and most report only minor discomfort and do not require multiple analgesics. Patients can shower next day onwards and are advised to apply a small pad over the suture line. Pressure garments have to be worn constantly for a month. 

Follow-up: We see patients in our outpatient set up after a few days to check on the healing. During this visit, most of the swelling has started to subside. Some of our patients resume light work after a few days. Sutures (stitches) placed on the areola (pigmented skin around the nipples) are removed at one week. 

Resuming work and exercise: After a week light exercise like running and walking can be resumed. We see our patients again at the end of a month. By this time, the improved contours of the chest are well made out. After a month there are no restrictions on any activity. We ask for a review at three months and one year after surgery. 

Most of the patients have an uneventful recovery. Some patients may get prolonged swelling due to postoperative collections. These are usually treated conservatively and settle after a period of time. The collection usually does not make any difference in the final outcome of the procedure. Gynecomastia surgery is associated with a high satisfaction rate and patients report an increase in self-confidence after the procedure.

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