Gynecomastia is a condition that is much more common than many people imagine. Aside from poking fun at the problem of having “man boobs,” very few may consider the immense toll that enlarged breasts can have on a man’s psyche. There are several reasons why a man may develop excessive breast tissue, from hormone imbalance to certain medications to genetic factors. Whatever the reason, what is important to know is that there are proven treatments that can restore the chest to its masculine state.
In our NYC office, men wanting to resolve gynecomastia have options. Recently, Kybella has been used to break down the excess fat in the breasts. In some cases, men choose to undergo surgery to remove both excess fat and the breast gland that contributes to the development of female-like breasts. Men who choose the surgical path often want to know what they can expect in terms of recovery and their return to exercise. We discuss that here.
Recovering from Gynecomastia Surgery
Patients who undergo surgery to correct gynecomastia can expect to gradually resume normal activities over a few weeks. Each patient’s innate healing process and the extensiveness of their procedure will affect how quickly this happens. After treatment, Dr. Shridharani monitors patients’ recovery carefully and advises each person as to when various exercises and activities can be added back into their routine.
During the first few days after surgery, patients may feel sore and easily fatigued. The body needs extra energy to devote to healing so this is a time to take life at a slower pace. Patients can resume walking as soon as they feel well enough. Walking encouraged optimal blood flow, which oxygenates recovering tissue and also decreases the risk of blood clots. During the first week to 10 days after surgery, light walking may be all that a patient can tolerate. This is an indication of healing and should be honored. Resuming too much activity too soon can exacerbate swelling and bruising and ultimately extend the overall time it takes to get back to 100%.
Most patients can return to work about two weeks after their gynecomastia procedure. Approximately 4 weeks after surgery, exercise may begin to resume, but very slowly. The scope of workouts is usually limited to cardio exercise only. By six weeks post-op, however, the incision area may be healed enough to begin arm and chest workouts. Patients may be advised to begin strength training using machines rather than free weights due to the chest muscles being slightly weaker and more prone to injury. Once strength returns, all limitations on workouts are lifted.
Gynecomastia can be treated successfully with the right help. For more information on our treatment options, call (212) 508-0000.