12 weeks Post Op - I swear they are getting bigger

[ddh]

Well I am 12 weeks Post Op. I feel fine, although there is still some hard tissue immediately under and around each nipple. But all of the other hard/tender areas are gone. I've had full range  of motion for weeks and resumed all my usual activities and workouts.

My concern is that I think I'm getting bigger!

I was very pleased at 4 weeks, but now my boobs are kind of sagging or growing larger. Could be because of my age - 58. I'm sure my skin doesn't have the elasticity of a 20 year old.

I'm 5'8" and 150 lbs (a couple of pounds lighter since the surgery).

My wife says I still look much better, but I have lost some of the confidence I had at 4 weeks.

Docs, any advice? Could things get better in months 4-6?

Here are some comparative pics:

Some before pics (which I've posted before):
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5082/p1000965y.jpg
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/8490/p1000968g.jpg

Some pics 4 weeks Post-Op (which I've posted before):
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1673/p1010017v.jpg
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/870/p1010021aw.jpg
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6207/p1010131ga.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8264/p1010130k.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1159/p1010132p.jpg

Some pics at 12 weeks Post-Op:
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3306/p1020723j.jpg
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5907/p1020725.jpg
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/4082/p1020726c.jpg
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/2295/p1020727k.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4789/p1020728s.jpg

[DrBermant]

Well I am 12 weeks Post Op. I feel fine, although there is still some hard tissue immediately under and around each nipple. But all of the other hard/tender areas are gone. I've had full range  of motion for weeks and resumed all my usual activities and workouts.

My concern is that I think I'm getting bigger!

I was very pleased at 4 weeks, but now my boobs are kind of sagging or growing larger. Could be because of my age - 58. I'm sure my skin doesn't have the elasticity of a 20 year old.

I'm 5'8" and 150 lbs (a couple of pounds lighter since the surgery).

My wife says I still look much better, but I have lost some of the confidence I had at 4 weeks.

Docs, any advice? Could things get better in months 4-6?

Here are some comparative pics:

Some before pics (which I've posted before):
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5082/p1000965y.jpg
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/8490/p1000968g.jpg

Some pics 4 weeks Post-Op (which I've posted before):
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1673/p1010017v.jpg
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/870/p1010021aw.jpg
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6207/p1010131ga.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8264/p1010130k.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1159/p1010132p.jpg

Some pics at 12 weeks Post-Op:
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3306/p1020723j.jpg
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5907/p1020725.jpg
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/4082/p1020726c.jpg
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/2295/p1020727k.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4789/p1020728s.jpg

Loose Sagging Skin can be a factor in male chest contour. Deflate the balloon of inflated skin and how well it contracts depends on many factors.  Unfortunately, skin reduction scars can be a significant compromise. Tissue can take time until it adapts. After massive weight loss, this can be from 6 to 18 months. Building muscle can inflate the volume of the chest region, but even massive bodybuilders eventually cannot maintain all of that muscle and have loose skin issues.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia of Male Chest Ptosis - Sagging and Male Mastopexy Chest Lift Sculpture

[ddh]

Thanks for the reply, Dr.  Bermant!

Since I've always been on the slim side (150 lbs at 5'8"), I guess my Post-Op sagging issues are just age related (and not weight loss related).

It is disappointing since I thought I looked pretty good 4 weeks after surgery. Oh well, I'm still looking better than I did pre-op! And I can always hope that things might improve during Post-Op months 4-6.

[DrBermant]

Thanks for the reply, Dr.  Bermant!

Since I've always been on the slim side (150 lbs at 5'8"), I guess my Post-Op sagging issues are just age related (and not weight loss related).

It is disappointing since I thought I looked pretty good 4 weeks after surgery. Oh well, I'm still looking better than I did pre-op! And I can always hope that things might improve during Post-Op months 4-6.

You are quite welcome!

Swelling After Gynecomastia Surgery can mask final contour / loose skin issues. Age, sun damage, how long tissues expanded are among many factors on how well skin shrinks.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

[balalayka]

From my experience here, usually swelling starts after the operation and then goes down gradually. Maybe you're still in that phase and this will improve over time. The skin has retracted fairly well from what I see till now; it's a very small sag. Maybe also that your chest hair has grown again is giving a false impression that your chest is larger. Anyway, wait it out and see what happens. You're still 100 times better than before surgery !