Gynecomastia After The Procedure


Gynecomastia After The Procedure

After Gynecomastia Correction Surgery

The procedure itself will take about 1 to 2 hours.

AFTER SURGERY

  1. Continue to limit yourself to light activities the first week after surgery. However, make sure that you don’t stay in bed continuously. Make sure you walk around every once in a while to allow for blood flow.
  2. Have some Gatorade available. Make sure you drink a lot of fluids after the procedure.
  3. After the first week, limit yourself to activities that are comfortable. No strenuous aerobic activity for 3 weeks after surgery.
  4. The night after surgery you will want to have some protective sheets or towels on your bed. Your incisions will oose for the first one to two days.
  5. ADJUST GARMENT/ BANDAGE EVERY 2 HOURS. This may mean undoing and repositioning the binder. You should have gentle compression. If you cannot put your finger in between the garment and your body, it means it is too tight. If the garment is too tight it will prevent proper blood flow.
  6. You can take a cool shower the day after. Hold drains (if present) in shower and allow clean water to run over drain entrance into the body. Pat dry. Make sure someone is with you. You may be nauseated from anesthesia for up to 2 days.
  7. Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
  8. Do not use aspirin-containing products for at least one week. You may take Tylenol or pain medications as prescribed.
  9. No weight loss diets for at least 3 weeks. Make sure to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet during this time.
  10. Avoid exposing the incision to direct sunlight for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) to the area of the incision if you will be in the sun for extended periods of time.
  11. Be sure to finish your entire prescription of antibiotics.
  12. At 2-3 weeks after surgery take your steri-strips off. Apply ScarLess®, allow it to dry and then apply silicone sheets for two months. Make sure to keep gentle compression on the incision.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOU RECOVER FROM GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY

  1. Immediately after surgery, some patients feel groggy or nauseous. These feelings normally subside by the next day.
  2. You will probably be very sore for the first week. Bruising is normal and will subside in 2-4 weeks.
  3. You may experience some numbness. Remember not to put ice or anything hot directly onto skin because you may have decreased awareness of temperature damage.
  4. Breast asymmetry is normal for the first 6 weeks.

WHEN TO CALL US

Post surgical complications are rare and are often easily solved by the doctor if you notify us. Call us if you experience any of the following: a temperature of 101°F or higher, severe nausea and vomiting, continued dizziness or incoherent behavior, increased local redness or warmth, chest pain, shortness of breath, legs swelling or calf pain or if you feel that anything might be wrong. Please call the office @ 949-644-4808.

POST-OP VISITS AND CARE SUMMARY

Concern Instructions
   
Blood Clot
  1. It is important to walk at least every 2 hours while you’re awake to prevent blood clotting – do not over do it. Right after surgery you will be instructed to walk around every 1 hour.
  2. Pay specific attention to leg swelling. If you notice swelling on only one leg or calf pain contact the office.
Drain Function
  1. Make sure that your drain(s) is/ are functioning.
  2. Empty drain every 8 hours or when it becomes more than half full and write down amount of drainage.
  3. Do not be concerned if the fluid from the body comes around drain.
  4. You may need to milk the tube if it appears to be clogged.
  5. Drains come out at about 2-3 days, depending on amount of drainage.
  6. Note – the drain is always uncomfortable but it is absolutely necessary to prevent fluid accumulation.
Constipation
  1. If you are constipated at day 2 stop taking Vicodin or Darvocet.
  2. Encourage walking, drink a lot of fluids, consider laxative
    (Ex-lax or Correctol).
Fever
  1. Make sure to cough and breath deep as fever is usually in lungs for the first 3 days after surgery.
Garment Placement
  1. ADJUST GARMENT/ BANDAGE EVERY 2 HOURS. This may mean undoing and repositioning the binder. You should have gentle compression. If you cannot put your finger in between the garment and your body, it means it is too tight. If the garment is too tight it will prevent proper blood flow.
Activity
  1. You can take a cool shower the day after. Allow clean water to run over your head and ears. Use generous amounts of shampoo and conditioner as there may be some blood in your hair. Don’t wash the ear directly. Pat dry. Make sure you have someone helping you.
  2. Walk every hour while awake for the first day and then every 2 hours.
  3. Sleep at 45 degree angle for the first 3 nights.
  4. Regarding exercise: If it hurts don’t do it. Wait for your body to tell you what you can do.
  5. You can start exercise at 4 weeks.
Wound Care
  1. Your gauze will be changed at your follow up visit.
  2. Make sure your head band is placed correctly while sleeping.
  3. Keep surgical area clean and dry at all times.
  4. At 2 weeks after surgery take your steri-strips off. Apply ScarLess, allow it to dry and then apply silicone sheet for two months. Make sure to keep gentle compression on the area.