If you’ve been struggling to get rid of gynecomastia with diet and exercise, it’s normal to feel frustrated when you don’t achieve the results you’re hoping for. The reality is, many men have gynecomastia even when they live a healthy and active lifestyle. If you’re considering gynecomastia surgery, it’s likely that you have a fitness routine in place that you’d rather not stray away from for too long. That’s good! Keeping up your healthy habits is important. However, it’s also important to give your body time to recover. Here’s what to know about gynecomastia surgery and when you can expect to return to your normal workout routine afterward.
Make Sure to Rest
Even though it’s normal to be focused on maintaining the good results you’ve achieved from working out, it’s also important to maintain the good results you’ll achieve from surgery. This means you’ll need to give yourself plenty of rest and avoid straining yourself too much. This can be extremely difficult, especially if you lead an active lifestyle! However, too much activity right after surgery can come with the risk of irritating your incisions and increasing complications like swelling, bruising, or excessive bleeding. If you wind up needing corrective surgery, it can come with even more downtime, postponing your plans for getting back on your feet.
Take It Slow
It can be tempting to try and get back up to your normal level of fitness as soon as possible, but it’s important to take your recovery slowly. Because it’s normal to feel some tightness in your chest as your incisions heal, the best way to begin increasing your activity level is by simply walking (once you feel comfortable). A casual walk for 15 to 30 minutes every day while wearing your compression garment can be a good way to get some activity and blood flow without putting too much strain on your body. After a couple weeks, you can begin incorporating some light stretching and calisthenics for your arms and legs. Finally, low-impact cardio exercises can be added based on your recovery progress and Dr. Diktaban’s recommendations.
Don’t Expect Immediate Results
Even though gynecomastia surgery is one of the best ways to reduce male breasts, it’s important to understand that you won’t achieve a contoured, masculine chest right away. It can take a few months for your final results to settle in as your body changes and recovers. This means you may have residual swelling and visible scarring during this time. Although it can be tempting to try and build muscle in your new chest right away, it’s important to give yourself time to fully heal before toning. The best results take time, so make sure to build your intensity slowly and follow Dr. Diktaban’s instructions for a successful recovery.
Schedule a Consultation
Male breast reduction can be a great way to boost your confidence both in and out of clothing. To learn more about your options and what you can expect from recovery, contact our Manhattan office to schedule a consultation by calling or filling out our online form.
Dr. Theodore Diktaban, MD FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with 35+ years of experience, specializes in safe and subtle cosmetic treatments, enhancing natural beauty and boosting self-confidence in the Upper East Side and New York City.
