In our post from December, we covered what are the main causes of gynecomastia in men. Women aren’t the only one looking for ways to improve their physical appearance and emotional outlook on themselves. Men also want to be happy about the way they look. Regardless of the impressively high rate of satisfaction after male breast reduction surgery, there are still a lot of men who are hesitant mainly because of potential scarring after the procedure.
It’s important to understand that there is NO surgery that will have zero scaring. Each surgical procedure involves incisions and while some of them will heal very nicely and become nearly invisible, for others, the surgeon will have to use your body’s contours to conceal them.
Male breast reduction surgery scars
The type of surgery you’re having is the main thing which will determine the size and placement of your scar. For example, some men will only need liposuction as a male breast reduction surgery and in these cases the risk of scarring is minimal. This is because the incision only needs to be big enough for the cosmetic surgeon to be able to insert the cannula through which he will then suck out the excess fat.
Male breast reduction surgeries that require excess fat removal, breast tissue removal and skin tightening, will most likely cause more significant scarring. But not to worry. There are steps that you can take in order to minimize the scarring and provide better healing.
How to take care of your scars after male breast reduction surgery?
Scars from gynecomastia surgery are not that different for any other surgical scar. If you take good care of it, it will heal nicely and you won’t have that thick, raised scar.
Keep the incision clean
After every surgery you need to make sure that the incision stays clean. This way you prevent dirt and bacteria to get in and cause an infection. Infections tend to prolong the healing time and create even more scar tissue
Take it easy
In the first few weeks after your male breast reduction surgery, you should avoid any strenuous activities that will cause the skin around the incision site to pull or stretch. Physically demanding activities like exercise or carrying something heavy can result in a thicker, more elevated scar and sometimes it can even open the incision site and you will have to pay a visit to your doctor again. Make sure that you follow the instructions from your doctor.
Healthy lifestyle
Having a well-balanced diet and not smoking provide many benefits for your overall health. This includes your body’s ability to heal better and faster. So make sure that you eat well, healthy and provide your body all the nutrients it needs for a fast and natural healing process.
Sun exposure after male breast reduction
Exposing your scar from male breast reduction to sun could cause some hyperpigmentation which can make the scar more visible. It is highly recommended that you don’t expose the scar to direct sunlight for at least 6 months and that you use sunscreen diligently.
Follow your doctor’s advice
After surgery, your plastic surgeon will provide you a list of instructions and tips on how to achieve the best possible result. These post-op instructions usually include tips on how to care for the wound and scar treatment. Every patient should follow these and in case you have questions or uncertainties feel free to contact your surgeon and ask. Their best interest just like yours is that you have the best outcome possible.
