Postoperative Care After Gynecomastia Surgery
Comprehensive Recovery Guide by Evita Clinic
Recovering properly after gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) is essential for achieving optimal results and minimizing complications. At Evita Clinic, we’ve prepared a detailed postoperative schedule to guide you through the healing process and help you return to daily life safely and confidently.
Smoking and Postoperative Healing
For optimal recovery, it is crucial to avoid smoking for at least two weeks after surgery. Smoking significantly reduces blood flow, which can negatively impact healing and increase the risk of:
- Adhesions (scar tissue sticking to deeper layers)
- Poor wound healing and increased scarring
- Delayed recovery and prolonged swelling
Nicotine constricts blood vessels, limiting oxygen and nutrient supply to healing tissues. Even passive smoking (second-hand smoke exposure) can interfere with proper recovery. To ensure the best possible results and minimize complications, we strongly recommend completely avoiding smoking and vaping during the initial postoperative phase.
1. Immediately After Surgery
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Start with a Soft Diet:
Begin with easily digestible, soft foods. Avoid greasy, spicy, or hard-to-digest meals on the first day. -
Fluid Leakage:
Some residual fluid may leak from the incision site within the first 24 hours. If this happens, apply sterile gauze or a clean sanitary pad on top of the existing dressing. Do not remove or open the original dressing to avoid contamination. -
Medication:
Take your prescribed medications three times a day after meals for 5 days.
Do not take aspirin or any medication containing aspirin unless specifically approved by your surgeon, as it may increase bleeding risk.
2. Showering and Hygiene
- You may shower 1–2 days after surgery once waterproof bandages are in place.
- Avoid hot baths, saunas, and swimming for at least 1 to 2 weeks after your stitches are removed to prevent infection and irritation.
3. Compression Garment (Pressure Suit)
- Wear your compression garment 24 hours a day for the two week.
- After the first week, wear it for at least 12 hours a day for an additional 3 to 4 weeks.
- Wearing an extra layer of clothing over the garment may help improve compression and reduce swelling.
⏱️ Why it matters: Compression garments help control swelling, support healing tissues, and enhance your final chest contour.
4. Dietary Tips
- Most foods are allowed after surgery, but please avoid alcohol and overly salty foods, as they can increase swelling.
- Avoid excessive water intake in the early days, which may delay fluid drainage and prolong swelling in the surgical area.
5. What to Expect During Healing
- It’s normal to experience asymmetry, lumpiness, bruising, and swelling during recovery. These are part of the normal healing process and typically resolve over time.
- Edema (swelling) is common for the first 2 weeks. In rare cases, it may persist longer but is usually not a cause for concern.
- Bruising and minor bleeding may appear but generally resolve within 2 to 3 weeks.
6. Activity and Mobility
- Begin light daily activities like stretching, yoga, or walking as soon as possible. This improves circulation and reduces the risk of complications.
- Avoid remaining in the same position for extended periods.
- Maintain good posture while walking—keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
- Try walking indoors for at least 10 minutes every 2 hours to promote circulation and prevent stiffness.”
7. Follow-Up Appointments
- Schedule a follow-up appointment within the first week after surgery. Continued monitoring ensures proper healing and allows for early detection of potential issues.
8. 6 to 8 Weeks After Surgery
- By this time, most swelling should have subsided, and early surgical results can be evaluated.
- If needed, your surgeon may recommend additional care such as massage or RF therapy to improve contour and reduce fibrosis.
- In some cases, you may still notice adhesions, dimpling (indentations), or Biobond lumps during this period. These are generally not a cause for concern. With time, and by following your surgeon’s instructions—including gentle massage, stretching, or light exercise—these issues typically resolve on their own.
For more details, read our guide on
Post-Surgical Adhesion After Gynecomastia Surgery
9. When to Contact Us
Please contact Evita Clinic immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe or rapidly increasing pain
- High fever
- Yellowish discharge from the wound
- Increased redness, warmth, or itching at the surgical site
- Sudden swelling or puffiness of the chest, especially if it appears on one side only
These symptoms could indicate infection, hematoma, or other complications that require prompt medical attention.
Complimentary Recovery Support at Evita Clinic
At Evita Clinic, we provide regular Radio Frequency (RF) therapy sessions to help improve circulation, reduce swelling, and promote smoother healing after gynecomastia surgery. Our skilled aestheticians tailor each session to support your recovery process and optimize your final results.
Additionally, patients are welcome to visit us at any time after surgery for scar laser treatments as needed. We understand that scar healing varies from person to person, and our team is here to ensure the best possible long-term outcome for your skin.
We’re committed to your confidence and comfort—every step of the way.
Immediately after surgery, the right and left sides may appear different.
The main reason for this is that everyone naturally has differences in the size and shape of their mammary glands on the left and right sides.
Dr. Jeon performs surgery in a highly systematic manner, moving back and forth between both sides almost mechanically. This means that the surgical technique and gland removal process are identical on both sides.
However, over time, as the muscles develop and the fat distributes more evenly, this asymmetry will gradually improve. So, there’s no need to worry!
Aside from swelling and bruising, for Grade 1 and 2, you can expect your chest to be flat and asymmetrical.
Know that this is only temporary.
For Grade 3 and 4, a drain will be placed after the surgery.
The drain will be removed after 2-4days.
Discomforts, slight pain and restriction of movement should also be expected especially on the 1st 24 hours after surgery.
Grade 3 and Grade 4 Gynecomastia is characterized by sagging of the male breast.
To resolve the skin sagginess, Mastopexy is performed.
At Evita Clinic we perform two types of Mastopexy according to the kind of Incision – Areolar type and Anchor type.
The Areolar Incision is ideal for Grade 3 Gynecomastia patients and the Anchor type is for Grade 4 Gynecomastia.
But the type of Incision that will be performed will depend on the patient’s age, concern about the scar and preference.
See this post.
About 2 days after surgery. relax, walk around lightly.
Non-severe physical work after two days, you can find the professional activities.
And after two days it is recommended, such as light streching, walking, shower.
After the last two weeks it is recommended that you exercise such a strong fitness.
2 weeks wear compression garment is 24 hours, after only half a day.
Triple method of Dr Jeon’s gynecomastia operation does not need to be hospitalized.
About 1~2 hours after surgery in the recovery room after taking a break, you can leave the hospital.
His gentle and delicate surgery does not require hospitalization.