Gynaecomastia Recovery Guide: What to Expect After Surgery
Recovery Timeline After Gynaecomastia Surgery
As most gynaecomastia procedures are performed under local anaesthesia and involve small incisions (typically at the lower part of the areola), healing is relatively quick.
Incision healing: usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
After this period, patients can resume light activity such as jogging or cycling.
For strenuous activity or contact sports, it’s advisable to wait at least one month.
Returning to Work After Surgery
Time off work depends largely on your job type:
Remote work: Most patients can return to computer-based work within a few days.
Office jobs involving commuting: A week off is usually recommended.
Physically demanding jobs: Best to take longer than a week, as the compression vest and healing tissues need protection from strain or impact.
Pain, Swelling and Bruising: What’s Normal?
Pain is usually mild and temporary, typically resolving within two weeks.
Swelling and bruising may or may not occur but are not usually severe.
Individual factors like smoking or medical conditions can influence healing speed.
Most people experience:
Immediate healing within 2 weeks,
Intermediate recovery by 1–2 months,
Final results around 6 months post-op.
Understanding Your Results
Patients with mild gynaecomastia (Grade 1–2) typically see results almost immediately.
However, if there was skin excess or the use of skin tightening treatments, it might take up to 6 months for your final chest contour to settle.
Early Post-Op Changes May Include:
Localised hardness beneath the skin
Mild discolouration or scabbing around the areola
Slight looseness or wrinkling of skin
These are part of the body’s natural remodelling process. It’s important to remain patient during this time.
Can the Gland Grow Back?
This is a common concern.
If fat is removed during surgery and the patient later gains weight, a fuller chest appearance may return.
A small amount of breast tissue is typically left behind to prevent a sunken areola or “donut deformity”.
Therefore, regrowth of glandular tissue is possible, though rare, particularly if hormonal factors or steroid use continue.
In some select cases, it is possible to remove the entire gland, especially in patients with thick skin, strong muscle tone, and minimal fat. The final decision is made during surgery based on anatomy and safety.
Revisional Gynaecomastia Surgery
If a patient is unhappy with previous surgery done elsewhere, we recommend returning to the original surgeon first.
However, if our assessment shows we can help, we’ll:
Discuss realistic expectations
Evaluate whether revision surgery is appropriate
Include minor corrections within six months as part of the initial treatment plan, if we performed the original surgery
Managing Scars and Skin Changes
What to Expect:
Early scarring may include darkened areola, hardness around the incision, or mild puckering.
These often resolve between 2–6 months post-surgery as the skin softens and remodelling completes.
If a scar causes distortion, we may occasionally recommend medical steroid injections, but we typically prefer to allow the body to heal naturally.
Compression Garments and Their Role
We provide:
Elastic bandages for the first 2 days,
Followed by a specialised surgical compression vest for 2 weeks (or longer if needed).
Compression helps:
Minimise swelling and fluid retention
Contour the chest as it heals
Support skin retraction
You can comfortably wear the vest under normal clothing (shirts or t-shirts) without it being obvious.
Scarring Depends on Procedure Type
Most incisions are small and discreet, placed around the areola or in the armpit crease.
In severe cases with skin excess, skin excision is required. Methods vary and include:
Donut (round) incisions around the areola
Upper areola excision (may leave a semi-circle scar)
Inverted-T (anchor) scars for high-grade gynaecomastia
Each method is chosen based on severity and the surgeon’s clinical judgment.
What to Consider Before Booking Surgery
We always advise patients to:
Do thorough research
Seek a second opinion if unsure
Understand the healing timeline and scar trade-offs
Following your initial video consultation or phone assessment (based on photos and a medical questionnaire), we invite you for a face-to-face appointment to:
Review your medical history
Conduct a physical examination
Discuss realistic expectations
After that, we recommend a cooling-off period of 2 weeks before proceeding with booking surgery.
Aftercare Support and Follow-up
You’ll receive:
A full aftercare pack on Day 1 (includes dressings, spare compression vest, paracetamol, written instructions)
Ongoing access to our aftercare team for any concerns
Advice on gentle massage (after wounds have closed) to reduce tissue firmness or swelling
Follow-Up Schedule:
First 3 months: Regular contact for healing progress
At 6 months: Full reassessment and final check-in
You may also contact us anytime if you experience concerns or complications
Final Word
Gynaecomastia surgery is transformative for many, restoring confidence, improving quality of life, and enabling freedom in clothing and movement.
However, proper healing, realistic expectations, and follow-up care are essential to achieving the best outcomes. Our team is committed to guiding you through every step of your journey.
Contact us here to book a free video consultation directly with Dr Hassan Nurein.