subject: Gynecomastia: Basic Answers About Corrective Surgery [print this page] Surgery isn't the only treatment option available for gynecomastia, but it is generally agreed to be the best one. Of course, people fear surgery, especially when it is done for purely cosmetic reasons. This is natural and it may even be a good thing. After all, the decision to have surgery should not be one taken lightly. It should be considered with a serious mind and backed by plenty of research. Only then can you decide to do something you believe will improve your quality of life. To move further into your investigation, here are some basic answers about corrective surgery.
How painful is the procedure?
This is the first question on many a patient's mind as they consider whether or not to have surgery to correct gynecomastia. Of course, it is difficult for anyone to say how much pain someone else will feel when going through a procedure. Pain is different for everyone and you already know the joke about nurses saying, "You'll just feel a slight pinch." That said, many patients are surprised at how little pain is involved in the procedure. If there is pain, it will likely come in the recovery period, during which you'll be prescribed medication to control your discomfort.
What will the results look like?
Some patients are surprised when their dressings are removed and they realize that things don't look exactly like they had hoped. This is completely normal. Surgery gets couched in a lot of medical phrases that tend to obscure what is really happening. While certainly done with a deft, skilled hand, you're still being cut on. Cut with what is essentially a knife at the end of the day. This is going to leave significant room for healing and you should not be surprised to see bruising and swelling at the incision site. This will go away over the next few months and you'll be able to see the actual result of your surgery. Your gynecomastia should be gone, though there may be room for improvement, which your surgeon should be willing to go back in and do for free.
When can I return to normal activities?
The healing process is different for everyone, but you should be able to get back behind the wheel of a car no more than a few days after your gynecomastia surgery. As for more intense activities like working out and playing sports, you should hold off for about a month. Doctors advise letting the healing process take its course. If you rush to get back to vigorous activities, you could easily set your recovery back and cause complications to develop.
