Introduction
Gynecomastia correction is performed to improve soft tissue bulge from the male chest contour by reducing excess fat, fibrofatty breast tissue, or both. At MACS Clinic, this may be carried out using:
- Liposuction only
- Open excision of fibrofatty glandular tissue
- Liposuction-assisted open excision, where liposuction is combined with direct removal of dense glandular tissue
The operation may be performed under local anaesthetic, local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic, depending on the extent of surgery, patient suitability, and clinical judgement.
This guide explains what to expect after surgery and how to look after yourself safely during recovery.
What to Expect After Surgery
Pain and discomfort
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, bruised sensation, or soreness across the chest for the first few days. This is usually controlled with simple painkillers. Liposuction recovery commonly involves swelling, bruising and the use of compression garments.
Discomfort should gradually improve. Increasing, disproportionate, one-sided, or severe pain is not expected and should be reported promptly.
Swelling, bruising and discolouration
Swelling and bruising are normal after gynecomastia surgery, particularly when liposuction has been performed. Bruising may appear purple, blue, yellow or green as it settles. It is expected more in smokers.
Swelling may be uneven in the early weeks. The final chest contour takes time to mature, and residual firmness, lumpiness or numbness can persist while tissues settle. The maturation scar is expected in 18 months to 2 years.
Compression Garment
A pressure garment is applied to support the chest, reduce swelling, and help the skin adapt to the new contour. Compression garments are widely recommended after liposuction and gynecomastia surgery.
At MACS Clinic, patients are usually advised to wear the garment for 4–6 weeks, unless instructed otherwise by Mr Vadodaria.
The garment should feel supportive but not painfully tight. Report any excessive pain, skin blistering, numbness, breathing restriction, or marks that do not settle after loosening the garment.
Dressings and Wound Care
Small dressings are applied over the liposuction entry points and on the suture lines.
Some light staining of the dressing may occur in the first 24–48 hours. However, you should contact the clinic urgently if there is:
- Increasing bleeding
- Rapid soaking of the dressing
- Expanding swelling on one side or both sides
- Severe pain or tightness
- Sudden chest asymmetry
Mr Vadodaria commonly uses dissolving sutures, so formal stitch removal is usually not required. However, wound monitoring is still essential, and follow-up appointments must be attended.
Pain Relief
Pain relief may include:
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen, if suitable for you
- Codydramol, if prescribed
Avoid exceeding the recommended dose. Do not take additional paracetamol if your prescribed medication already contains paracetamol.
Ibuprofen may not be suitable for some patients, including those with stomach ulcers, kidney disease, certain asthma patterns, blood-thinning medication, or specific medical conditions. Follow your prescription and clinic advice.
Activity Restrictions
For the first few weeks, avoid activities that may raise blood pressure, increase bleeding risk, or strain the chest.
You should avoid:
- Gym exercise
- Running
- Heavy lifting
- Contact sports
- Swimming until wounds are fully healed
- Excessive arm stretching
- Sauna, steam room and very hot baths
- Alcohol excess
- Any testosterone, anabolic steroid or non-prescribed hormone use during recovery
Testosterone or anabolic steroid use can worsen gynecomastia risk and may compromise your recovery and long-term result.
Follow-Up Schedule
A typical follow-up plan includes:
- First review within the first week
- Further reviews as required depending on healing
- Six-week review to assess swelling, wounds, garment use, and early contour
Further follow-up may be advised if there is persistent swelling, firmness, asymmetry, scar concern, or delayed wound healing.
When to Seek Medical Advice Urgently
Please contact MACS Clinic, your GP, NHS 111, or attend urgent care/A&E depending on severity if you develop:
- Disproportionate or increasing pain
- Sudden increase in swelling
- One or both sides chest enlargement
- Bleeding or rapidly soaked dressings
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- Increasing redness, warmth or tenderness around the wound
- Yellow/green discharge or offensive smell
- Wound opening
- Breathlessness, chest pain, calf pain or sudden collapse
Uncontrolled bleeding, severe chest pain, breathing difficulty or collapse should be treated as an emergency.
Results and Expectations
The chest will not show its final result immediately. Early swelling, bruising, numbness and firmness are common. Improvement is gradual, and the contour continues to refine over weeks to months.
The aim is a flatter, more masculine chest contour, but mild asymmetry, residual swelling, scar maturation and tissue firmness are part of the normal healing process.
Contact MACS Clinic
- Phone: 020 7078 4378
- WhatsApp: 07792 648 726
- Email: enquiries@macsclinic.co.uk
- Website: www.macsclinic.co.uk
- BOOK a FREE Video Consultation: https://calendly.com/macsclinic/free-video-consultation?month=2025-01
