Exercise Before and After Gynecomastia Surgery

We’re pleased that so many of our gynecomastia patients are fitness-minded, and we’re happy to share information about how to modify workout schedules to accommodate male breast reduction surgery.

Before Gynecomastia Surgery

Patients sometimes ask about exercising before male breast reduction surgery to build chest muscles. We do encourage our patients to pursue good health and we applaud those who work out – but it’s not a necessary step in preparing for the procedure.

You also don’t need to stop working out before you come in for male breast reduction. We would suggest you don’t exhaust yourself the night before surgery so you have plenty of energy in reserve for recovery, but a mild to moderate workout is fine.

After Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery is less invasive than many other surgical procedures. Even so, the recovery process must still be gradual. You can expect to be able to drive after a few days and return to sedentary work and light activities in a few days as well. You can go to restaurants, see movies and enjoy other non-strenuous pursuits.

Workouts should not be resumed for at least four weeks. As you return to the gym, the pool or your jogging route, take it easy at first. The key is to take care not to raise your blood pressure too high too soon. Elevated blood pressure can cause increased swelling, and it can open a blood vessel that was sealed in surgery, leading to post-surgical bleeding or a hematoma even several days down the road.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes men make when recovering from gynecomastia surgery is misunderstanding the reason for avoiding strenuous exercise for a few weeks. Occasionally one of our gynecomastia patients will think, “I’m more fit than the average guy, I can take it,” and grab the free weights too soon. Others go back to their regular exercise circuit the first day back at the gym, without resuming the routine a little at a time.

Make sure you understand that maintaining low blood pressure the first few weeks after surgery will be of tremendous help in reducing swelling and guarding against bleeding. No matter how strong and eager for a workout you may feel, the inevitable rise in blood pressure is not worth the risk.

After all, shrinking those man boobs as fast as possible is what it’s all about, right?

If you’re ready to learn about every aspect of man boob surgery, including exercise recommendations, give us a call at 561.367.9101. We can educate you about the journey, including what to do to have a smooth recovery after gynecomastia surgery. And, we promise, we’ll get you back to your routines as quickly as possible!