Smoking Marijuana After Surgery

[don_joe]

I'm 3.5 months post-op and I've been smoking weed like crazy ever since. I can guarantee you that *nothing* is coming back.

I can't wait for this damn scar tissue to go away, though...

[JamesVH]

So what do you guys say I should do? If it were just marijuana I would be less skeptical, but hearing that I'm never supposed to smoke or drink or do anything that may even barely lower my testosterone is what's making me wonder if it's just a false alarm. The issue is that some bodies just react differently...the story that really scared me was the guy who posted and said he smoked once exactly where I am post op and his chest swelled up to 25% the original and didn't go back down...

I really feel like if my gyne came back it would be the worst thing that ever happened to me. Then again, I don't know how realistic it is to expect anyone who has gone through surgery to never again touch any substances.

EDIT: I just watched one of Dr. Jacobs' videos on YouTube in which he stated he'd never had a case of recurrence. Is that due to a certain technique or should I be safe?

[don_joe]

Recurrence is extremely rare.

Just relax dude and enjoy life.

How is your recovery process going otherwise ?  Any swelling or scar tissue ?

[JamesVH]

I would say pretty minimal swelling and/or scar tissue. I not only had gynecomastia but poofy nipples, so my breasts were severely cone shaped. My chest is fully flat now; the change was clear from the first day post op. I'm extremely thankful that it has gone this well. So I should be safe as long as I don't consistently binge smoke, binge drink, or use steroids? That sounds fine with me. I was just scared that one or two sessions of anything and I might have blown 5k for nothing.

[don_joe]

Oh I just saw you were 4 days post-op.

First of all, congratulations on getting the surgery done. Know that under skin scar tissue (hard lumps) is on its way. Do you wear a compression vest ?

[JamesVH]

How bad will the scar tissue be? Will it make my chest swell bigger than it is now or anything like that?

And yes, my doctors put the vest on me right after the operation and I didn't take it off until Day 2 Post Op. I've been wearing it on the tightest setting at all times (except when I shower) and I have been instructed to wear it for 3 weeks.

[don_joe]

Scar tissue depends on your surgeon's skills and your ability to heal.

In my case, it makes my left nipple slightly puffy and stick out a little bit. My right side is better looking although I clearly feel a doughnut shaped piece of tissue. It feels like hardened rubber.

I massage the area and wait for it to go away. I've been told it can take up to a whole year to achieve final result.

[JamesVH]

I was able to check a little today and I feel a little bit of scar tissue, but nothing is nearly as bad as the gyne was.

So, as a kind of bottom-line thing, I can drink or smoke in moderation without worrying about the gyne recurring? Is it riskier right after surgery or way after surgery?

[moobsbrah]

you might be able to get away w/ it. There is no definitive yes or no as to whether marijuana will lead to hormone changes + recurrence of gyno, since everyones body is different and the jury is still out on this issue. Evidence seems to be anecdotal for both sides of the argument. That is, people on here claimed that excessive marijuana has caused gyno for them, and others have claimed that they smoke a ton and have no problems. Anyone who is vehemently claiming that "marijuana WILL absolutely" or "marijuana will absolutely NOT" cause gyno is really talking out of their ass. But obvi, if your going to smoke, do it in moderation (like anything), and MAKE SURE YOU STAY IN SHAPE! Exercise and strict diet are probably the most important factors in ensuring no recurrence.

[i_dont_know]

I think unless you're smoking weed EVERY day or something close, the chances of recurrence are extremely small. I've smoked 2 or 3 times since my surgery 4 months ago.. and don't plan on smoking much more often than that.. and I've had no setbacks or enlargements. I'm going to try staying away from weed but I really don't worry about casually taking a few hits.