First Day Instructions
- Dr Yates will reach out through the Symplast app. Send Dr. Yates photos and any questions
- MEDICATIONS - follow the medication instructions. Take the antibiotics until they are gone unless there is reason not to. Neurontin (Gabapentin) is helpful for nerve pain but not absolutely necessary if you find it is too sedating. Stool softeners should be taken if there are any concerns of constipation. Treat constipation aggressively, even with suppositories if you haven't had a bowel movement within a couple of days of surgery. Avoid narcotic pain medications as able preferring either Ibuprofen or Celebrex and Tylenol. NO marijuana while on pain medications.
- Get up and walk
- No lying on your stomach for 3 weeks
- BRUISING AND SWELLING - A small amount of incisional bleeding is normal.
- Bruising and swelling are normal and will last for days to weeks. A large collection of swelling could be a HEMATOMA and needs to be reported to Dr. Yates
- GARMENT - You can take the garment off to shower. Water directly over incision tape is fine.
- GARMENT - You will remain in a garment for the first 3 weeks and then it is advised to use a second stage garment such as spanx
- FOAM - a foam dressing is often placed beneath the garment above the skin. This foam is intended to provide smooth compression on the treatment area and minimize fluid collections. Use this foam for the first week
- DRAINS - If drains were used make sure you’re are stripping them and recording output
- DRAINS - drains are removed typically at one week as the drainage is less than 30 cc in a 24 hour period
- BATHING - You can shower with running water directly over the surgical site. No soaking for 3 weeks
- SUTURES - Incisional sutures are dissolving and don't need to be removed
- ACTIVITY - Hematoma is fairly common after excisional gynecomastia surgery if a patient gets back to full exercise too quickly. It is advised to refrain from all exercise for THREE weeks. Light exercise such as walking and low impact lower body exercise it fine after the three week mark.
- Full exercise at SIX weeks.
- If only liposuction was performed, without excision, the activity can be increased sooner, at FOUR weeks.
- LYMPHATIC MASSAGE - We recommend lymphatic massage preferrably by a licensed lymphatic massage therapist. Massage can help swelling control and speed up recovery. In some cases, this contributes to a better final outcome. Ideally massage starts in the first week after surgery and can begin as early as the day after surgery. We keep a list of massage therapists if you need help setting this up
- Your next visit is at three weeks. In-person or online.
Three-Week Instructions
- Remove incision tape if applied. A small amount of rubbing alcohol can loosen stuck tape
- Begin scar cream if there was an excisional scar. Apply for 2 - 6 months.
- Send Dr. Yates photos and any questions
- You are able to resume physical work and moderate exercise
- Full exercise at 6 weeks
- The chest size may still be swollen
- Areas of firmness and discomfort are common, massage as necessary
- If you feel you have been treated with exceptional care, leave a review!
- Schedule an online or in-person follow-up visit at 3 months.
Three-Month Instructions
- You have no limitations. Check-in with Dr. Yates with photos and any questions
One-Year
- You have no limitations. Check-in with Dr. Yates with photos and any questions
- Return to the office for postoperative photos
- Leave a kind review ????