Week 6 Post-Op

Welcome to Week Six

You've reached a major milestone in your recovery. At six weeks, most restrictions are lifted, and you can return to your full range of activities. Your chest should look significantly improved, with only minor swelling remaining that will continue to resolve over the coming months.

What's Normal Right Now

At six weeks post-op, you should be experiencing:

Physical Status

• Minimal swelling - about 80-90% of swelling has resolved
• Clear chest definition - your new masculine contour is readily apparent
• Soft, natural feel - tissues are settling and feeling more natural
• Full range of motion - no restrictions in movement
• Well-healed incisions - scars are maturing and beginning to fade
• No discomfort - you should be completely pain-free

What May Still Be Present

• Very mild residual swelling (especially after exercise or at the end of the day)
• Some numbness or altered sensation in the nipple-areola area
• Minor firmness or tightness in specific areas
• Visible but fading scar lines
• Slight asymmetry as final settling occurs

Compression Vest - Likely Discontinued

Most surgeons allow patients to stop wearing the compression vest at 4-6 weeks:

• If cleared, you can now go vest-free full-time
• Some patients choose to wear it during strenuous exercise for extra support
• If you experience swelling after discontinuing, you can wear it intermittently
• Follow your surgeon's specific guidance - some may recommend wearing it longer

Resuming Full Exercise

The six-week mark is when you can typically return to unrestricted physical activity:

Gym and Weight Training

• Upper body exercises can resume - chest press, push-ups, shoulder work
• Start with lighter weights than you used pre-surgery and build up gradually
• Focus on good form - rebuilding strength properly is more important than lifting heavy immediately
• Listen to your body - if something feels uncomfortable, scale back
• Expect some DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) as you rebuild strength

Suggested Approach

• Week 6-7: Start at 60% of your pre-surgery weights, high reps (12-15)
• Week 8-9: Increase to 75% of previous weights, moderate reps (10-12)
• Week 10+: Gradually return to your normal training intensity

Sports and High-Impact Activities

• Contact sports - rugby, football, martial arts can now resume
• Running and jogging - no restrictions
• Swimming - you can finally get back in the pool (and show off your new chest!)
• Rock climbing, CrossFit, etc. - all cleared for gradual resumption

Building Your New Chest

Now that you can exercise fully, you can work on developing your chest muscles to enhance your results:

Recommended Exercises

• Compound movements: Bench press, push-ups, dips
• Isolation work: Cable flyes, dumbbell flyes
• Upper chest focus: Incline presses to build the upper pecs
• Core work: Planks and anti-rotation exercises support overall chest development

Training Tips

• Aim for 2-3 chest workouts per week with adequate rest between
• Progressive overload - gradually increase weight, reps, or sets
• Maintain overall low body fat to keep chest definition visible
• Include pulling exercises (rows, pull-ups) to balance chest development

Sun Protection for Scars

Your scars are still maturing and are vulnerable to sun damage:

Protecting Your Scars

• Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 6-12 months
• Use SPF 50+ sunscreen on scars if they'll be exposed
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors or after swimming
• UV exposure can darken scars permanently, so protection is critical
• Consider a rash vest for beach or pool activities during the first year

Scar Management

• Continue using silicone gel or sheets if recommended
• Gentle massage of scar tissue
• Moisturize regularly
• Be patient - scars continue improving for 12-18 months

Your Results So Far

At six weeks, you're seeing most of your final results:

Physical Transformation

• Flat, masculine chest contour
• Ability to wear fitted clothing with confidence
• No more need to hide or feel self-conscious
• Natural appearance in and out of clothing
• Results that look like you never had gynaecomastia

Psychological Benefits

Most patients report significant improvements in:

• Confidence - both socially and in intimate situations
• Body image - feeling comfortable in your own skin
• Social activities - no longer avoiding beaches, pools, or changing rooms
• Clothing choices - freedom to wear what you want
• Overall quality of life - the burden of gynaecomastia has been lifted

What's Still to Come

While you're seeing excellent results at six weeks, further improvements will continue:

3-6 Months

• Final resolution of all swelling
• Tissues fully settle into their permanent position
• Scars continue to fade and flatten
• Sensation gradually returns to normal
• Any minor irregularities smooth out

6-12 Months

• Scars mature to their final appearance (often barely visible)
• Complete resolution of any numbness or altered sensation (in most cases)
• Tissues feel completely natural
• Any initial firmness fully resolves

Maintaining Your Results

Your gynaecomastia surgery results should be permanent with proper care:

Long-Term Maintenance

• Maintain stable weight - significant weight gain can affect chest appearance
• Regular exercise - builds and maintains chest muscle tone
• Healthy lifestyle - avoid excessive alcohol, maintain balanced diet
• Avoid anabolic steroids - these can cause gynaecomastia to recur
• Monitor medications - some drugs can contribute to breast tissue growth

If You Gain Weight

• The removed glandular tissue won't return
• However, fat can still accumulate in the chest area
• Maintaining a healthy weight preserves your results
• If weight gain occurs, diet and exercise typically restore your contour

Follow-Up Appointments

You may have a follow-up scheduled around now or at 3 months:

• Assessment of healing and results
• Evaluation of scar maturation
• Photos for your medical records
• Clearance for all activities (if not already given)
• Discussion of any concerns or questions