When you have a gynecomastia correction done, your body needs time to recover. The average recovery period is six weeks, but the final result often takes a little longer. We’re happy to inform you about recovery after breast reduction surgery and what you can and cannot do after surgery.

The first day after surgery, your breasts may feel a little sore. That feeling disappears after a few days. Only after about three months do you see the final result.

Compression band or shirt

The dressing consists of a well-fitting compression band or shirt that you must wear immediately after surgery; you wear it day and night for two weeks.

Medication and pain relief

If you feel lousy or your breasts are very painful, you may always take paracetamol and any additional painkillers prescribed by the doctor. When problems occur at home, such as a lot of pain, increasing swelling or tension on one side, you should contact us.

If you were taking certain medications before surgery, such as blood thinners, you can resume them in consultation with the plastic surgeon.

Drains

If you go home with drains, they’re usually removed the next day. You’ll receive a call from the assistant at MOOI Clinic. You can expect this call starting at noon. If you don’t receive a call, we may not be able to reach you, so please call the clinic. Until the drains are taken out, you shouldn’t shower! After the drains are removed, you may shower briefly starting three days after surgery.

Alcohol and smoking

Smoking adversely affects blood flow to the tissues, which is precisely what’s important for proper recovery. We therefore recommend that you stop smoking weeks before and after treatment. It’s also better not to smoke after treatment. This accelerates the aging process.

Do not use alcohol in the first week after treatment because of the risk of post-treatment bleeding.

The first days after surgery

After the procedure, you can usually go home the same day. We check that everything is fine with you and after our plastic surgeon’s approval, you may go home. Your chest will feel a little sore but that feeling lessens after a few days. In order to obtain the best possible result and speed up your recovery, we recommend the following: (unless expressly stated otherwise by the plastic surgeon.)

DON’T: DRIVE YOURSELF HOME

One thing you should not do immediately after surgery is get behind the wheel yourself. So make sure there is someone with you who can drive you home safely. The advice is not to drive a car for 2 weeks.

DO: REST A LOT

Recovery is very dependent on the procedure. When glandular tissue is removed, recovery may take longer than when fat cells are removed through liposuction. For the first 1-2 weeks after surgery, you should take it easy and follow these instructions:

• do not lift or stoop
• reaching with your upper arms no higher than the shoulder
• don’t push yourself up with the arms
• Don’t run, bike or engage in other sports activities
• walking and gentle movements with the arms are allowed
• wear the compression band or shirt day and night

The duration depends very much on the procedure: two to six weeks if the surgery is extensive.

DON’T DO IT RIGHT AWAY: SHOWERING AND BATHING

If you don’t have drains, you may shower again 24 hours after surgery if you feel the need. If you do have drains, then you should wait to shower for at least three days . Of course, you can freshen up your body with some warm water and a washcloth. However, you should not bathe for the first 6 weeks!

DON’T: SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH OR SIDE

It probably won’t occur to you so soon after surgery, but for the first 6 weeks after your breast surgery, you absolutely must not sleep on your stomach. It’s best to sleep on your back with an extra pillow supporting your back so you lie a little more upright.

Two weeks after surgery

After two weeks you will come for a check-up with the plastic surgeon.

SUTURES

After two weeks, the stitches will be removed and the assistant will give you instructions on aftercare and/or massaging the scars.

Two weeks after the procedure, you are allowed to do a little more again, but by no means everything!

YOU MAY DO THIS AGAIN:

• Driving
• Depending on your occupation, you may start working again
• Walking and gentle movements with your arms
• If your recovery goes well, you may fly again after 2 weeks

YOU MAY NOT DO THIS YET:

• Exercising or heavy lifting
• Applying pressure to the chest
• Taking a bath, sauna, tanning or tanning bed

Six weeks after surgery

After 6 weeks, you’re usually well recovered from the surgery. The swelling has gone down considerably and the scars are healing nicely. Most people can fully resume their normal lives after 6 weeks. A scar takes 12 months to fully mature. The color and thickness at this point will likely remain. Protect the scar from the sun during this period.

DO: SPORTS

Exercise is good for your body and after all those weeks of not exercising, maybe it’s also time to get back in shape? Fortunately, after 6 weeks, you can return to sports. Fitness, swimming, cycling, running, if it feels good and you experience no pain then you can just start doing this.

Final check-up and result

After about 3 months you’ll come for a final checkup at MOOI clinic. The periods of recovery mentioned are averages and can vary greatly from person to person.

You won’t see the results for good after 3 to 6 months; so you need to be patient. If your expectations are realistic, the result will be satisfactory or even very satisfactory in most cases.

Do you have any doubts about your situation, as to whether or not you should be allowed to do something? Then contact us!