Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynaecomastia liposuction) Pre & Post Operative Instructions
Pre-Operative Instructions
- •Please advise the doctor if you are taking any blood thinning medication (e.g. Warfarin, Disprin, Aspirin, etc.)
- •This will need to be discontinued prior to surgery as per doctor's instructions.
- •Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises the risk of bleeding complications in all forms of surgery – please ensure your blood pressure is well controlled prior to your surgical date.
- DO NOT take any of the following medications prior to surgery:
- – Anti-inflammatories (e.g. Brufen, Ibuprofen, Myprodol, Voltaren, etc.)
- – Homeopathic medications (e.g. Arnica, Rescue Remedy, St John's Wort)
- – Vitamin E (oral or topical)
- •Prepare your skin for 3 weeks before surgery with Dermalac Lotion and Vitamin A, C & E Body Oil from Environ.
- •Take a bath or shower with antibacterial soap (or Bioscrub) on the morning of your admission.
- •Do not apply any body lotion.
- •Regardless of whether you are having a general anaesthetic or conscious sedation – you should not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to surgery.
- •If you are a smoker – NO SMOKING for 3 months prior to surgery.
- •Bring comfortable cotton underwear.
Post-Operative Instructions
- •You will overnight at Christian Barnard Hospital.
- •You will need plenty of rest.
- •Decreased activity and pain medication may promote constipation, so you may want to add more fruit and fiber to your diet.
- •Be sure to increase fluid intake.
- •Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
- •Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
- •If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
- •Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increase the risk of complications.
Activities
- •Start walking as soon as possible – this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
- •Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications.
- •Limit use of arms for 4 weeks, i.e. no heavy lifting or raising arms above your head.
- •Resume sexual activity as comfort permits, usually 2 to 3 weeks post-operatively.
- •Avoid strenuous exercise and activities for 4 to 6 weeks.
- •Social and employment activities can be resumed within 7 to 14 days.
Incision Care
- •Avoid exposing your scars to the sun for at least 12 months.
- •Always use sunblock – regardless of the weather – if you plan to go outdoors or not.
- •Apply Micropore to the incision lines for 3 months – change every 7 to 10 days. Do not remove the tape every day as it will cause irritation of the surrounding skin.
- •Keep incisions clean and inspect through Micropore daily for signs of infection or oozing.
- DO NOT USE ANY CREAMS CONTAINING VITAMIN E TO TREAT THE INCISION AREAS FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS.
- •Incision areas may be massaged through the Micropore for the first 3 months.
- •ScarScience, available from MASC Laser Clinic, should be applied from 6 weeks post-operatively – over the Micropore for another 6 weeks – and then on the incision directly for another 3 months post-operatively.
- •No soaking in the bath while sutures or drains are in place.
- •Support garments should be worn 24/7 and only removed for short periods while taking a shower. You should wear the garment day and night for 6 weeks.
What To Expect
- •Discomfort will be maximal in the first 3 days, improving each day thereafter.
- •You may experience temporary pain, soreness, numbness, dry skin, swelling, discoloration and incision discomfort.
- •There may be a loss of nipple sensation, which should normalize in time (less than 5% of patients never regain nipple sensation).
- •Scars will fade in several months to a year.
Appearance
- •The breast area will appear flatter.
- •Scars will be red for 6 to 9 months. After that, they will fade and soften.
- •Scars might be present around the nipples.
Follow Up Care
- •Most of the sutures are buried and will dissolve in 6 to 8 weeks.
- •Any stitches will be removed in 7 to 10 days.
- •ScarScience must be applied on the incision from 6 weeks post-operatively to help with the prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scarring. It should be used for at least 3 to 6 months post-operatively.
When To Call
- •If you have increased swelling or bruising.
- •If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
- •If you have increased redness along the incision.
- •If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
- •If you have any side effects to medications, such as rash, nausea, headache, and vomiting.
- •If you have an oral temperature over 37°C.
- •If you have any drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
- •If you have bleeding from the incisions that does not stop with light pressure.
Emergency Contact
078 867 61372
