Gynaecomastia surgery will inevitably be accompanied by a recovery process, that can be quite lengthy if a patient doesn’t follow the most important aftercare instructions. Not following your recovery instructions can slow down your body’s healing process and even cause complications that can be a huge set back to address.
An efficient gyno surgery recovery requires self-care, the right support and patience – in this blog, we’ll give you our top tips for a speedy recovery.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions
Every patient is unique and the steps of each gynaecomastia procedure will be tailored to the needs of each patient – so, the specific recovery instructions can look slightly different for everyone. Gyno surgery recovery does involve some common instructions that are given to every patient, but the specifics of each instruction, such as the amount of time to avoid strenuous exercise, can differ.
That being said, it is absolutely essential to follow your surgeon’s personalised instructions closely. If you’re ever unsure about an instruction during recovery, you should contact your surgeon for advice. Your recovery instructions may include to wear a compression garment, keep your incision sites clean, use cold compress to minimise swelling, and take antibiotics to prevent infection. You will be given further details during your consultation so that you can completely understand what you will need to do.
Take care of your general health
Following a healthy, balanced and nutritionally complete diet and staying hydrated is key throughout your gyno surgery recovery. Your body needs enough energy to heal properly, and needs essential nutrients to function well.
If you’re not sure about what kinds of foods to eat, and what to avoid, you should ask your surgeon during your consultation or even consult with a dietician, especially if you have any health conditions that requires a special diet. Lots of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and healthy sources of protein are generally great to include in your diet, but we recommend to get specialised advice if you need it.
Get enough rest and avoid strenuous exercise
Throughout your gyno surgery recovery, you’ll need to take it easy and be patient when it comes to resuming your regular exercise routine, especially heavy lifting workouts. Your surgeon can give you advice on how slowly to resume exercise, and at what intensity.
Even if you’re feeling better sooner than you had expected, it’s still important to avoid strenuous workouts until your doctor has said that it’s okay. Your body needs time to fully heal, and exercising too soon can increase your risk of encountering some post-surgical complications.
Getting enough rest will include taking some time off work to recover at home. The amount of time off work that you need will depend on the nature of your job, so make sure that you discuss this with your surgeon so that you can plan ahead.
Have some help around the house
Before your procedure, you should arrange for someone to be available to help you with household tasks, as you may find general tasks a little difficult while you are recovering. Tasks that involve overhead or heavy lifting can feel particularly difficult, and you will need to avoid driving for a set period of time, so it can be extremely helpful to have someone to call when you need.
If you aren’t able to have anyone with you for support, make sure that items you will need during recovery are placed in an easy-to-access spot, that won’t require overhead lifting. You should also pre-prepare some healthy meals and fill any prescriptions that you may need ahead of time.
Avoid these things to prevent complications
Alcohol consumption and smoking can lead to some complications during your recovery. Your surgeon will instruct you to avoid alcohol and smoking for a set period of time before and after your procedure, to support your body’s healing process.
You may also need to avoid taking certain medications throughout your gyno surgery recovery, such as blood thinning medications, as they can also contribute towards complications. Talk to your surgeon about what medications you generally require to make sure that you are able to take them during recovery.
Book your consultation with Breast & Body Clinic’s Specialised Surgeon, Dr Yunaev
If you’re based in Sydney, Breast & Body Clinic’s Dr Yunaev takes a patient-centred approach to gynaecomastia procedures, putting the unique needs of each patient first, from the surgery plan through to the recovery process.
For an efficient gyno surgery recovery, you need a supportive surgeon who will make sure that you have a clear understanding of what you need to do, what you need to avoid and what the recovery process will typically involve. To arrange your Sydney consultation, or to ask any questions you may have about gyno surgery contact our team today!