My post surgery photos!

[Therealsteve]

Here are the photos of my pre and post operation! I had mastopexy done (major sagging of my chest, I didn't so much have gynecomastia, just a lot of excess skin and breast tissue) with removal of skin and breast tissue, and a little lipo on the sides. My dr. was John Burnett in Fresno, California. I'm pretty happy with the results thus far (its been a total of 7 days since the operation) however I still have SOME concerns.

I know there's always swelling after these sort of surgeries, but how long does that swelling stay? Dr. Burnetts main goal was to get rid of to lift the areola and remove the boob looking 'bulk', however much of that bulk looks kinda there still. Is that from the swelling? The area that kinda sticks out (the boobage part) is still numb, and I can't even feel eat, which leads me to believe its just fluids and swelling. I sure hope it is!

Also, I had my drains taken out today (it took 7 days of keeping them in there for me...). The nurse said I DID NOT have to wear the vest much anymore, except when I'm moving around alot (she said I didn't have to wear it to bed really). I know many users on the forum here wear the vests 24/7 for WEEKS! What do you guys suggest?

Because she said I didn't wear a vest much, I decided to buy an under armour compression shirt. It feels pretty tight, but its definitely not compressing as much as my ace bandage wrap or vest they gave me. Do you think this shirt alone may be fine?

Also, when do you guys suggest I can go back to doing light workouts? I haven't ran for about a week, and being an avid exerciser, lack of workouts is really making me luggish and lazy  . Its been 7 days since the operation, should I still wait out on the light jogs and heal, or should that be fine?

Here are my pics. Let me know what you think!

PRE:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture022.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture052.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture009.jpg
POST:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture128-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture122-1.jpg

[DrBermant]

Here are the photos of my pre and post operation! I had mastopexy done (major sagging of my chest, I didn't so much have gynecomastia, just a lot of excess skin and breast tissue) with removal of skin and breast tissue, and a little lipo on the sides. My dr. was John Burnett in Fresno, California. I'm pretty happy with the results thus far (its been a total of 7 days since the operation) however I still have SOME concerns.

I know there's always swelling after these sort of surgeries, but how long does that swelling stay? Dr. Burnetts main goal was to get rid of to lift the areola and remove the boob looking 'bulk', however much of that bulk looks kinda there still. Is that from the swelling? The area that kinda sticks out (the boobage part) is still numb, and I can't even feel eat, which leads me to believe its just fluids and swelling. I sure hope it is!

Also, I had my drains taken out today (it took 7 days of keeping them in there for me...). The nurse said I DID NOT have to wear the vest much anymore, except when I'm moving around alot (she said I didn't have to wear it to bed really). I know many users on the forum here wear the vests 24/7 for WEEKS! What do you guys suggest?

Because she said I didn't wear a vest much, I decided to buy an under armour compression shirt. It feels pretty tight, but its definitely not compressing as much as my ace bandage wrap or vest they gave me. Do you think this shirt alone may be fine?

Also, when do you guys suggest I can go back to doing light workouts? I haven't ran for about a week, and being an avid exerciser, lack of workouts is really making me luggish and lazy  . Its been 7 days since the operation, should I still wait out on the light jogs and heal, or should that be fine?

Here are my pics. Let me know what you think!

PRE:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture022.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture052.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture009.jpg
POST:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture128-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/fear58/Picture122-1.jpg

How tissues Heal and Evolve After Male Mastopexy Chest Lift depend on the problem to be treated, surgical techniques, skill of the surgeon, after surgery care, how a patient heals and many other factors.  The results shown on that link are typical for my patients with little swelling that I can post them for all to see.  To evaluate your current progress, you are better comparing your results to those usual for your own doctor. 

I no longer need drains for my typical patient.  However when a drain is needed, swelling lasts longer, there is more discomfort, and healing is slower.  A Male Chest Compression Vest is a powerful tool not just for swelling, comfort, but how tissues evolve.  Scars that evolve under pressure do better than without.  I have not found any sports compression garments as effective as what I recommend to my patients.

Return to activities also depends on many factors.  Lifting arms overhead stresses the surgery site and healing tissues. The more bruising, swelling, and injury that exists, the longer it will take to get back to normal.  This is real surgery and tissue needs time to heal. 

Hope this helps,

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

[jls187]

Start with long walks.  That's what I did.  Go to a mall or something.  I had drains in for 6 days.  6 weeks later I am very numb in the chest skin.  I think the longer the drains stay in, the slower the feeling comes back. 

I wore the vest 24/7 for 4 weeks then switched to nights.  I probably could have worn it only 2 weeks though as per my doctor recommendation. 

[DrBermant]

Start with long walks.  That's what I did.  Go to a mall or something.  I had drains in for 6 days.  6 weeks later I am very numb in the chest skin.  I think the longer the drains stay in, the slower the feeling comes back. 

I wore the vest 24/7 for 4 weeks then switched to nights.  I probably could have worn it only 2 weeks though as per my doctor recommendation. 

Drains After Surgery can be a valuable tool for removing fluid from the surgical site.  That link is to my Tummy Tuck section since it is so rare that my patients need drains for my male chest surgery.  However, drains themselves cause increased discomfort just wearing them and removing them can also cause pain.  The presence of the drain is an irritant to the body.  It is a "chicken or egg" issue if the reason for having the drain, the drain itself, or a combination to the longer swelling, bruising, and slower healing.  My guess it is the surgical technique and complication that are the major factors for these issues.

Wearing the after surgery compression vest for a minimal time may help with the swelling and protection.  However, scars that evolve under pressure do so much better than scars without. That is why my patients also like second stage after surgery compression vest.

Hope this helps,

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

[kingboob]

 The type of operation I had done was similar to the pictures of Dr. Bermant's patient here : http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/male_breast_lift/healing_reduction_chest_lift.htm ,except my scar is further up the chest and more level with the top crease of the arm pit area.

From my experience (and I had a larger chest than the original poster), it really does take time...... basically 11 months later and I still have a numb chest and swelling from time to time.  Post op I find the worst of the swelling does take a couple of weeks to go away, but then you will notice it come and go day to day sometimes............. You shouldn't be worried at 7 days to be honest.

Exercise is up to you, but I would seek advice from your doctor first, and wearing a compression vest or tight top while exercising would help reduce swelling and provide support/reduce pain......... Just don't go nuts, and I would avoid bench pressing or anything for a few weeks.

I should point out I am not a doctor , I am just speaking from personal experience.


Also I don't agree with the previous poster....... they makes surgery sound like a breeze, as if nothing ever goes wrong or takes any time to heal at all.......... typical for some patients maybe, but I doubt that is typical for 95% of the population.     Also, in my experience drains do not hurt upon removal, and I have had loads removed this year........ also virtually everybody I have ever met seems to have had drains after surgery, maybe things are just different here in the UK, but drains seem to be the norm.

 
Your pictures show a big improvement and I wouldn't worry just yet if I were you.  Remember you had pretty big boobs and cutting those things off causes quite a lot of damage for the body to repair.  7 days is nothing.

[DrBermant]

The type of operation I had done was similar to the pictures of Dr. Bermant's patient here : http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/male_breast_lift/healing_reduction_chest_lift.htm ,except my scar is further up the chest and more level with the top crease of the arm pit area.

From my experience (and I had a larger chest than the original poster), it really does take time...... basically 11 months later and I still have a numb chest and swelling from time to time.  Post op I find the worst of the swelling does take a couple of weeks to go away, but then you will notice it come and go day to day sometimes............. You shouldn't be worried at 7 days to be honest.

Exercise is up to you, but I would seek advice from your doctor first, and wearing a compression vest or tight top while exercising would help reduce swelling and provide support/reduce pain......... Just don't go nuts, and I would avoid bench pressing or anything for a few weeks.

I should point out I am not a doctor , I am just speaking from personal experience.


Also I don't agree with the previous poster....... they makes surgery sound like a breeze, as if nothing ever goes wrong or takes any time to heal at all.......... typical for some patients maybe, but I doubt that is typical for 95% of the population.     Also, in my experience drains do not hurt upon removal, and I have had loads removed this year........ also virtually everybody I have ever met seems to have had drains after surgery, maybe things are just different here in the UK, but drains seem to be the norm.

I agree, Skin Reduction Mastopexy is more extensive surgery than gynecomastia alone.  Recovery is different as I demonstrate on my website.

What I post on my website is the norm for my patients.  That is what I strive for, having a patient tell me that their experiences were just as good or better than what they found on my website.  However, complications can happen with any surgeon.  With wound healing problems, it takes a much longer time for swelling to go down and tissues to evolve.

Comfort is a major issue for me.  I have been tracking my patient's use of surgical pain medication for years to better understand what I can do to minimize discomfort and speed recovery.

Years ago I also used to use drains for all of this type of surgery.  Hematoma is more painful than having drains which are more painful than not needing drains at all.  My patients use of pain medication dropped as my techniques evolved.  Not needing drains was one factor.

Hope this helps,

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

[Therealsteve]

Thanks for the replies guys! Its almost 2 weeks now, and the swelling has its days. The Post op pictures I put up are actually flatter than my chest today, however, tommorow might be a different story. So as was said, years of big boobs like I had isn't just going to "go away" after 2 weeks. However, the surgery set me up to where it will disappear sometime soon. I'm pretty convinced the swelling will dissipate