Gynecomastia surgery images

Gynecomastia Surgery Timeline

Gynecomastia surgery varies according to a number of factors – your gynecomastia grade / components and your overall health and physical condition can be two of the biggest variables in this equation, for instance.  However, there is a general timeline that you can expect to arise with your male breast reduction surgery in Boston. Let’s look at the typical gynecomastia surgery timeline.

Night Before Male Breast Reduction Surgery

  • Our staff will contact you a few days before your surgery to provide instructions, answer any questions you may have and to re-confirm your arrival time.
  • Avoid alcohol and aspirin containing medications prior to your procedure.
  • Make sure to get plenty of rest and arrange for a ride.
  • Set your alarm to awaken in plenty of time to allow an on-time arrival.
  • Notify Dr. Ishoo should you start to present any signs of an illness prior to or after surgery (fever, cough, flu-like symptoms)
  • You can have breakfast, such as oatmeal, in the morning before coming in.
  • After showering and scrubbing with hibiclense in the morning before the procedure, do not apply any cosmetics, antiperspirant, lotions, creams, or powders to your skin.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery Day

The big day has arrived, and you are feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about your male breast reduction surgery day. Rest assured; you are in great hands! All of the details have been taken care of by Dr. Ishoo and his qualified team.

Dr. Ishoo performs many his gynecomastia procedures at his Cambridge office using local tumescent anesthesia, which is safe, comfortable and allows for rapid recovery. 

  • You will need to arrive at our office at the designated time given by the staff.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing with a shirt that closes in the front so that you will not have to pull it over your head.
  • Bring your ID, medications, and glasses.

Keep yourself calm and relaxed and let our staff take care of you through the surgical process.

After surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room. Recovery times vary with each patient and the procedures being performed.

We will arrange for your ride back home to pick you up or an Uber to get you back to your residence. It is now time for you to rest and recover.

Don’t forget, you are one step closer to achieving your goal of having the masculine chest you have always wanted!

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering gynecomastia surgery, fill out our online contact form or call us at (888) 380-3222. Dr. Ishoo, with over 15 years experience, is ready to assist you with your physical health needs once you schedule an in-person consultation.

After Gynecomastia Surgery Instructions

Although everyone struggling with gynecomastia surgery recovery is different, Dr. Ishoo has compiled a list of side effects and recovery care steps to help make the most of your downtime and overall results.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of important instructions and guidelines for post-operative care after gynecomastia surgery with board-certified surgeon Dr. Ishoo. One of the key factors to a successful experience after gynecomastia surgery is following the instructions and guidelines provided. Our goal is for our gynecomastia patients to have the best surgical journey possible.

If you have already had surgery with another surgeon, please use the information below as a guideline only. Each surgeon has his/her own specific post-operative instructions and healing guidelines they will want you to follow.

getting ready for gynecomastia surgery at Boston Gynecomastia Specialists

What to Know After Gynecomastia Surgery

Nausea

The local anesthesia for your surgery is designed to avoid or minimize nausea, however, some patients may still experience this. If nausea occurs, take the Zofran tablet immediately.  Pain medications and antibiotics can often cause nausea as well. Be sure to take these medications with food. If your nausea persists, you may consider stopping the pain medication. Take Tylenol to help with pain/discomfort.

Gynecomastia recovery

What to expect as you recover

Lack of energy

You may experience decreased energy levels for up to 8 weeks. Try to maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water throughout the recovery process. It’s also important to get as much sleep as you can and listen to your body. It will tell you when you are doing too much too soon.

What to watch for and when to call us

Avoiding blood clots

It is important to walk at least a 5 minutes every hour while you’re awake for the first 3 days following surgery to prevent blood clots (do not overdo it). Pay specific attention to leg pain and swelling particularly if it occurs only on one side. If you notice persistent calf pain and/or swelling contact the office.

Nutrition and Healing Aids

Nutrition

While nutrition is always important for your overall health, it’s especially important prior to and following gynecomastia surgery. Increasing your protein intake, Vitamin C and Omega 3 can provide a better environment for your body to heal. There are numerous other dietary recommendations you should consider as part of your post-operative care.

Healing Process

Possible Healing “Speed Bumps” / Complications Gynecomastia Surgery

This section provides detailed information about some of the issues that can arise during the gynecomastia healing process following surgery. Some patients may experience none of the items listed, while others may experience one or more.

Use this information as a helpful resource should any of these apply to you and, as always, please contact our office should you have a concern with your gynecomastia healing process.

Asymmetric healing progression

Causes: Asymmetric swelling is the most common side effect you may encounter during the gynecomastia healing process. There are several factors that can cause this. Whenever dealing with pairs of any body part, you are likely to have asymmetric swelling. This can be caused by one muscle being stronger or more tense than the other, skin elasticity, more breast tissue on one side, fluid retention from the numbing medication, etc. This is all very normal and will get better as swelling goes down.

Treatment: Compression is extremely important during the gynecomastia healing process and plays a big part in assisting the swelling and fluid to drain out as it promotes proper blood circulation, also helping to prevent blood clots from forming. Compression also ensures the skin heals nice and flat to the chest wall. We also recommend icing for the first 2 weeks following surgery.

Post-Op Visits

Gynecomastia Post-Op Visits

Gynecomastia post-op visits are a critical component of your surgical journey towards living a life free of enlarged male breasts. Continuous communication with our office and following post-operative instructions will ensure you have the best possible experience possible, and, more importantly, obtain your desired result. 

The first day after your surgery, you will have your follow up appointment with Dr. Ishoo and our staff at our office. This visit will allow us to monitor how your body is immediately reacting to surgery and will allow us the opportunity to educate you about the recovery process and what to expect as you heal. During this first post-operative visit, we will give you detailed instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery and answer any questions you may have. The following steps are typically followed during this gynecomastia post-op appointment.

  • Dr. Ishoo will examine the area(s) surgery was performed to ensure proper healing.
  • Dr. Ishoo will change dressings covering your incisions
  • We will help you fit your compression garment and instruct you on the proper amount of pressure required for optimal healing. During this time, we may also instruct you on where to purchase additional garments as needed.
  • We will provide you with your post-operative surgical kit, containing supplies you may need during your recovery. We will also instruct you on how and when to use each item.
  • We will answer all your questions regarding your recovery and healing during your follow up visit.
  • Future post-operative visits will be arranged according to your needs and healing time.

Please keep in mind, you may call us anytime during your stay with questions or concerns. Remember, no question is too small or insignificant. We want you to feel comfortable and secure throughout your recovery experience.

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The Boston Gynecomastia Specialists is the premier Greater Boston Gynecomastia Center of Excellence. Our primary focus is on providing outstanding care throughout every step of your journey, from the first consultation to your full recovery. We recognize and appreciate the confidence you have in us and are unwavering in our commitment to maintaining the utmost level of patient care. Led by Dr. Edwin Ishoo, a highly skilled, board-certified surgeon with expertise and over 30 years’ experience in Male Breast Reduction, our dedicated team is fully committed to ensuring the best possible surgical outcomes tailored for each individual. Recognizing that every man is unique, we personalize our approach to meet your specific condition, needs and expectations. We welcome you to take that first step to achieving the transformation you have been imagining and contact the Boston Gynecomastia Specialists, the leading Gynecomastia Center in Boston, to meet with Dr. Ishoo for your personalized, in-person consultation and have your questions answered. Let us take the gynecomastia concern off your chest in a day and off your mind forever!

Boston Gynecomastia Specialists
1260 Cambridge st
Cambridge, MA 02139
(888) 380-3222