Recovery Following Male Breast Reduction Surgery
After a short monitoring period to make sure everything looks great and there are no signs of complications, you’ll be able to head home and focus on rest and recovery.
Immediately after surgery for gynecomastia, we usually place a small drain on each side of the chest to help prevent fluid buildup. Even if just a small amount of tissue is removed, that area can still create a bit of empty space, so the drains help everything heal smoothly. They're typically removed in about 3 to 5 days.
Stitches usually come out after just a few days, and while some bruising and swelling are totally normal, most men feel ready to get back to work in about a week.
You’ll also wear a chest compression garment, kind of like a snug little zip-up crop top, for the first few weeks. It helps reduce swelling and supports the healing tissue.
Most men find the discomfort to be very manageable, and we’re here to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, with medication if needed.
For the first couple of weeks, it’s important to take it easy: no workouts, no heavy lifting, and nothing that gets your heart rate or blood pressure up. But if all looks good at your two-week checkup, you can slowly start easing back into your normal routine.
Most men are feeling back to their usual selves in about 4 to 6 weeks!
As your body heals, any scarring will gradually fade, starting red, then pink, and eventually becoming much lighter. With good aftercare (and by keeping up with your follow-up visits), your results can be long-lasting—often permanent.