Below you will find all the necessary information to ensure that your recovery after gynaecomastia surgery is as comfortable, and successful as possible.
Immediately after your surgery
Anaesthetic
While you are still under general anaesthetic, Dr. Beldholm will inject local anaesthetic into the wound to minimise pain on waking, and to ensure your comfort on the first night after surgery.
The after-effects of surgery and discharge from the hospital
Following gynaecomastia surgery you will normally be able to return home within 2-3 hours, after a postoperative check by Dr. Beldholm.
You will receive a prescription for pain medication that can be taken at home, if necessary, though complications are rare and scars will heal to leave only a fine line over a few months.
Surgical garment, dressings, and stitches
You will need to wear a specially-fitted surgical compression garment permanently for 4 weeks (day and night) after your surgery, and then an additional two weeks overnight. However, you will be able to remove it to take showers.
Dressings will be in place for around 10 days, and will be removed by a nurse, but you can continue to take showers. Stitches inserted during surgery are internal and will dissolve over the following months.
Please check the GYNAECOMASTIA CONSENT FORM for details of possible complications with this procedure.
Returning Home
Driving
As you are still in the recovery phase of the operation when discharged, it’s important to arrange in advance for someone to drive you home and assist you following your operation. Most patients can resume driving approximately one week after surgery, but before you attempt to drive, ensure you can turn to check over both shoulders, and can manoeuvre the car safely without discomfort.
Walking
You are encouraged to go for light walks as soon as possible after surgery to prevent complications and to ensure blood flow quickly returns to normal.
Garment
You will leave the hospital wearing a surgical compression garment, which is designed to minimise swelling and bruising. You will need to wear this day and night for four weeks.
Sleeping
You should be able to sleep normally following surgery, although pain medication can be taken if necessary.
Showering
You can remove your compression garment to shower. You will wear dressings for 10 days, which you should pat dry after you shower.
Exercise and activity following surgery
Keep physical activity to a minimum for a week or two following surgery, with only light activities such as short walks or light duties.
Try not to elevate your arms higher than shoulder level and avoid heavy lifting or pushing/pulling for two weeks. At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Beldholm will advise you how to gradually re-introduce heavier exercise.
What to expect after your surgery
Pain and healing
Following surgery, patients feel some pain for the first couple of days, especially when moving around or coughing. Although most patients are up and about in a day or two, it’s common for the breast area to ache occasionally for a couple of weeks. Full recovery will take up to one month.
Bleeding or severe pain
Please don’t hesitate to call Dr. Beldholm’s office on 4934 5700 (in hours) if you have any unusual symptoms, such as odour, bleeding, or severe pain.
Return to work
Most patients can return to non-manual work and normal social activities in around one week. If your work requires strong physical activity, you should plan for 3-4 weeks of recovery time.
Smoking
To optimise your surgical results, it’s best to stop smoking for at least four weeks after surgery.
Post op appointments
You will see Dr. Beldholm immediately before being discharged from the hospital and the next day in his clinic. After approximately 7-10 days, the nurse will review your wounds and remove the dressings.
We recommend a course of LED light therapy postoperatively, as this will improve healing time. Please refer to your LED light therapy information sheet.
Routine follow-up appointments will be made with Dr. Beldholm at one, six, and 12 months after surgery.