The Gynecomastia surgery thread

[Sectør]

I feel it would be good to start one of these, as this surgery is very prevalent in the industry. Many have athletes have gone through it, many will go through it, and I know there’s quite a few people here who have—whose experiences are scattered across various threads.

It would be great to consolidate these consolidate these experiences into one thread for others the reference in the future. Helpful information might include things like:

1) what was the recovery process like? How long was the recovery process
2) did you use anything peptide/pharmaceutical wise to expedite the recovery
3) did you do a partial or full gland removal?
4) what was the cost of the surgery?
5) Do you have a doctor you’d reccomend?
6) do you regret it or is there anything you would have done different
7) any other information you feel that would be helpful for others that will have have the surgery


I’ve stated in a different thread and I’ll state again here that I plan to have the surgery sometime early next year, which is why I’m doing heavy research now because I want to do this right and heal as fast as possible without compromising the surgery recovery.

I will be running a heavy stack for the surgery recovery protocol, with the goal of:

- Rapid resolution of inflammation
- Good lymphatic drainage
- Proper collagen remodeling (not fibrosis)
- Infection prevention
- Avoiding excessive fibroblast activation


Recovery stack plans (will list out the compounds first, then the rough draft of my protocol I’m planning, then the reasons why). Plans are subject to change based on additional research, and/or feedback from the community. Doses tbd. Will
Post at a later date after more research

1) ARA-290 (starting day 0)
2) KPV (starting day 0)
3) Thymosin Alpha-1 (starting day 0)
4) SS-31 (starting day 0)
5) BPC157 (starting after day 5)
6) tb500 (starting 2-3 months later due to fibrosis risk)
7) GHK-cu (starting 2-3 months later due to fibrosis risk)
8) HGH (starting time tbd; carries fibrosis risk, rough plan is 2 months later)

Compound benefits

BPC-157

• Reduces inflammation
• Improves angiogenesis (blood flow)
• Enhances soft tissue healing
• Promotes organized collagen repair

Post-gyno context:

• Helps reduce prolonged inflammation
• Supports clean healing of the excision plane
• Does not strongly push fibroblast overgrowth

TB-500 (Thymosin β4 fragment)

• Strong cell migration & tissue regeneration
• Increases fibroblast activity

Problem in gyno surgery:

• Gyno healing is not about regeneration, it’s about controlled remodeling
• TB-500 can overstimulate fibroblasts, increasing:
  • Firmness
  • Fibrotic bands
  • “Puffy” or lumpy healing

KPV

• Potent local & systemic anti-inflammatory
• Suppresses TNF-α and IL-6
• Does not impair healing signaling

Post-gyno context:

• Excellent for:
  • Reducing excessive inflammation
  • Lowering fibrosis risk
  • Supporting clean remodeling

One of the safest and most beneficial options


GHK-Cu

• Strong collagen synthesis
• Improves skin quality and elasticity
• Increases growth factors

Timing is critical:

• Early use (weeks 1–3): can increase fibrosis risk
• Later use (after inflammation resolves): improves scar quality

Delay until tissue is soft and inflammation is low
- Best for late-phase cosmetic refinement, not acute healing.


Thymosin Alpha-1

• Immune modulation (not immune stimulation)
• Reduces infection risk
• Improves immune balance without pushing fibrosis

Post-gyno context:

• Very helpful if:
  • You’re immunosuppressed
  • You want lower infection risk
  • You want cleaner inflammatory resolution

hGH

• Increases IGF-1
• Stimulates fibroblasts and collagen deposition (bad)

Concern:

• Early use can:
  • Increase scar thickness
  • Promote firmness
  • Slow softening phase

Avoid early post-op
May be reasonable later, once inflammation has resolved.


ARA-290

• Selective tissue-protective signaling (EPOR-CD131)
• Strong anti-inflammatory
• Anti-fibrotic signaling
• Improves nerve healing
• Reduces:
  • Inflammation
  • Fibrosis risk
  • Post-op discomfort
• Does not increase collagen deposition

Arguably the BEST compound on your list for gyno recovery


SS-31 (Elamipretide)

Role: Mitochondrial protection, oxidative stress reduction

Why it helps:

• Reduces post-surgical oxidative damage
• Improves cellular energy for clean remodeling
• Indirectly lowers inflammatory signaling

Best use:

• Early post-op (days 1–21)
• Especially helpful if bruising, slow healing, or high systemic stress

Risk: Very low

Excellent adjunct to ARA-290



IDEAL PEPTIDE STRATEGY FOR GYNO SURGERY (LOGIC, NOT DOSING)

Phase 1: Days 1–14 (Inflammation control)

Goal: Shut down excessive cytokines, protect tissue

• ARA-290
• KPV
• Thymosin Alpha-1
• (Optional) BPC-157 after day ~5

Avoid: TB-500, GHK-Cu, hGH


Phase 2: Weeks 3–8 (Remodeling & softening)

Goal: Prevent fibrosis, promote elasticity

• Continue KPV
• BPC-157
• Gentle manual lymphatic drainage

Still cautious with GH / GHK-Cu


Phase 3: Months 2–6 (Cosmetic refinement)

Goal: Scar quality & skin appearance

• GHK-Cu
• hGH (if used at all)

KEY TAKEAWAY
For gyno surgery:

• Inflammation control > regeneration
• Anything that overstimulates fibroblasts too early can worsen outcomes
• ARA-290 + KPV are the cleanest, safest choices
• TB-500 and early hGH are the biggest risks

 

[killinit8]

Solid read. Appreciate

 

[Spiro]

I did full gland removal, really didnt have any problem with recovery, i was wearing the west fully 4 weeks even when training, i didnt train the frist 2 weeks and then the third week i started training only arms and legs, and the 5 week i started training everything light no streching, 6 week i was fully training normaly, i didnt use any peptides & GH.
In my country i paid 2000e, this was 2021.
I have no regret doing it, it is the best thing i did, got my confidence back and i can now run everythng without AI
I know just the first night when i got home and the meds stop working i was in pain all night, but besides that i didnt have any problem, i did the surgery in saturday and on monday i was already on work, didnt take sick days, you will have trouble couiple first days showering and geting dressed but i manage to do it on my own without any help from anybody, so i think you will be good.

 

[Sectør]

I did full gland removal, really didnt have any problem with recovery, i was wearing the west fully 4 weeks even when training, i didnt train the frist 2 weeks and then the third week i started training only arms and legs, and the 5 week i started training everything light no streching, 6 week i was fully training normaly, i didnt use any peptides & GH.
In my country i paid 2000e, this was 2021.
I have no regret doing it, it is the best thing i did, got my confidence back and i can now run everythng without AI
I know just the first night when i got home and the meds stop working i was in pain all night, but besides that i didnt have any problem, i did the surgery in saturday and on monday i was already on work, didnt take sick days, you will have trouble couiple first days showering and geting dressed but i manage to do it on my own without any help from anybody, so i think you will be good.

Just saw this and I appreciate you sharing your story.

Sounds like you had good success with the full gland removal, which is what I will be doing too. I assume your surgeon likely had to transfer fat under the nipple after the gland removal to keep the nipples from concaving in?

I have a consultation in 2 weeks to get the ball rolling. Dropping to actual TRT doses now so that there’s hopefully nothing too off the chart when they order the bloodwork.

As for the peptides, I plan to simplify my post op strategy.
Day 0: Kpv (6-9mg/day) for inflammation control
Day 0: ss-31 (5-10mg/day) for mitochondria
Day 5+: bpc (4-6mg day split into 3 injects)

Just going to use kpv to knock out the inflammation, and bpc for the actual tissue repair after the body has time to map the wound healing, and ss-31 because I have it and it seeems like it would be synergistic. The goal is Maximum recovery in the shortest period of time without compromising the surgery risk factors

 

[Splitzz]

Just saw this and I appreciate you sharing your story.

Sounds like you had good success with the full gland removal, which is what I will be doing too. I assume your surgeon likely had to transfer fat under the nipple after the gland removal to keep the nipples from concaving in?

I have a consultation in 2 weeks to get the ball rolling. Dropping to actual TRT doses now so that there’s hopefully nothing too off the chart when they order the bloodwork.

As for the peptides, I plan to simplify my post op strategy.
Day 0: Kpv (6-9mg/day) for inflammation control
Day 0: ss-31 (5-10mg/day) for mitochondria
Day 5+: bpc (4-6mg day split into 3 injects)

Just going to use kpv to knock out the inflammation, and bpc for the actual tissue repair after the body has time to map the wound healing, and ss-31 because I have it and it seeems like it would be synergistic. The goal is Maximum recovery in the shortest period of time without compromising the surgery risk factors

Great info and like the peptide stack you planned out. Look forward to hearing how the recovery goes, I’ll be down this road one day.

 

[td]

1. Recovery was slow. During the initial period things didn't look good and it caused some anxiety and apprehension. Not significant pain but numbness persisted for almost 8 months.

No training for 4 weeks. Then released to do lower body training. Full training at 6 weeks.

2. TRT. GH at replacement dosage. BPC for 4 weeks.

3. Full gland removal. Liposuction the entire chest.

4. $12k USD

5. PM if interested in my surgeon

6. No regrets. Everything healed perfectly.

I wish I would have known how invasive the liposuction component was. Initially I should have been more patient with healing process. I wouldn't have done anything differently but it would have helped to manage my expectations.

7. Ask your surgeon if they have experience specifically with bodybuilders. Our population has a different desired outcome than a sedentary individual who developed the condition during puberty.

 

[Sectør]

Had my consultation today. Surgery scheduled for Monday (suprisingly only a 3 day wait). Doctor has worked on Quite a few bodybuilders including some pros, lot of before and after pictures.

Full gland excision + lipo is the procedure

Guess we’ll get this shit show started. Next few weeks are going to suck, but we’ll come out the other side better.

I’ll get some before and after photos and update this during the process of what I’m doing as far as peptides and how the recovery process is going.

He said I should be able to train legs in 2 weeks, but reccomended waiting 4-6 weeks for chest. I’m happy about being able to train legs in 2 weeks though I thought it would be closer to a 4 week wait time.

Guess everyday will be calve day for the next couple weeks

 

[bbxtreme]

Had my consultation today. Surgery scheduled for Monday (suprisingly only a 3 day wait). Doctor has worked on Quite a few bodybuilders including some pros, lot of before and after pictures.

Full gland excision + lipo is the procedure

Guess we’ll get this shit show started. Next few weeks are going to suck, but we’ll come out the other side better.

I’ll get some before and after photos and update this during the process of what I’m doing as far as peptides and how the recovery process is going.

He said I should be able to train legs in 2 weeks, but reccomended waiting 4-6 weeks for chest. I’m happy about being able to train legs in 2 weeks though I thought it would be closer to a 4 week wait time.

Guess everyday will be calve day for the next couple weeks

It will go by faster than you think. Just make sure you drop all fish oil, nattokinase and any blood thinners. Best advice I wish someone had given me.

 

[td]

It will go by faster than you think. Just make sure you drop all fish oil, nattokinase and any blood thinners. Best advice I wish someone had given me.

And cialis too.

The lipo sucks. Terrible swelling and bruising. Don't get discouraged though. It heals and looks nothing like immediately post surgery.

 

[Sectør]

It will go by faster than you think. Just make sure you drop all fish oil, nattokinase and any blood thinners. Best advice I wish someone had given me.

And cialis too.

The lipo sucks. Terrible swelling and bruising. Don't get discouraged though. It heals and looks nothing like immediately post surgery.

That’s really good to know about the fish oil and cialis, as I probably would have made that mistake myself. Thank you guys

 

[ZaddyZonar]

It will go by faster than you think. Just make sure you drop all fish oil, nattokinase and any blood thinners. Best advice I wish someone had given me.

And cialis too.

The lipo sucks. Terrible swelling and bruising. Don't get discouraged though. It heals and looks nothing like immediately post surgery.

I understand the natto and blood thinners, what’s the reasoning behind dropping fish oil and Cialis as well? Having mine done in August, would like to be as prepared as possible

 

[td]

I understand the natto and blood thinners, what’s the reasoning behind dropping fish oil and Cialis as well? Having mine done in August, would like to be as prepared as possible

It's the same reason. If there is any clotting inhibition, you can develop a hematoma. I did. It resulted in much more significant swelling on one side that required draining a day after the initial procedure. It delayed healing on that side and caused additional scar tissue development.

 

[bbxtreme]

It's the same reason. If there is any clotting inhibition, you can develop a hematoma. I did. It resulted in much more significant swelling on one side that required draining a day after the initial procedure. It delayed healing on that side and caused additional scar tissue development.

This. The hematoma was a huge set back and required them to go back in while I was awake. You need blood to be able to clot so things can heal.

 

[Splitzz]

All in all the recovery time doesn’t seem to bad but would definitely mess with me for sure.
Everyone that gets it done seems to wish they did it sooner.

 

[FuriousAngus]

From my understanding the biggest issue with this surgery is when everything is removed underneath the nipple so there is nothing to function as a base for it, in which case it can potentially go in/looked sunken. This is a minor fix however but I would still discuss this with your surgeon; they typically pull in some kind of fatty tissue to the area right underneath before they close you back up (seen this on YouTube).

That said; had a friend do this in the middle of prep and only took 2 weeks off. Not ideal/recommended, but everything turned out just fine.

 

[bbxtreme]

From my understanding the biggest issue with this surgery is when everything is removed underneath the nipple so there is nothing to function as a base for it, in which case it can potentially go in/looked sunken. This is a minor fix however but I would still discuss this with your surgeon; they typically pull in some kind of fatty tissue to the area right underneath before they close you back up (seen this on YouTube).

That said; had a friend do this in the middle of prep and only took 2 weeks off. Not ideal/recommended, but everything turned out just fine.

They have to feather the lipo which basically means leave some fat under them so they don’t sink in like that. That’s where having the right surgeon comes in.

 

[Heady Muscle 2]

Very good write up. Thank you.

 

[Sectør]

Surgery at 9am this morning (been up since 2am)

Couple other notes since speaking with the surgeon again and clarifying a few things:
—he’s not removing the full gland, but will remove a very very high % of it. He wants to leave a very small piece of it behind just to prevent the nipple from concaving in (I then asked about maybe transposing some fat under the nipple to prevent it from concaving and he said that although it can work, fatty tissue is obviously very soft and can complicate the shaping process or just create inconsistent texture. I think there also another harder synthetic option they could use instead of fat, but that comes with further complications)

At this point though I’m just going to trust his recommendation. He’s been doing this a while, has a lot of experience in these specific surgeries, so I’m just going to commit to it and hope that I don’t regret the decision (obviously I don’t want to have a 2nd surgery down the road if whatever is left of the gland flares up again at a later point)

Was also kind of suprised that the lipo would be done under local anesthesia (awake) —heard lipo is usually done under general because it can be a bit intense. On the bright side, he did say I didn’t really have too much fat that would need to be lipod so it should be manageable, and doing it under local anesthesia should help make the recovery process a bit easier. My left pec seems to have a little more fat than my right for whatever reason so that side will likely see the worst of it

Will be keeping a detailed written log of all aspects of the recovery process, and will share that here, including before and afters (likely 6 weeks from now once it doesn’t look like an inflamed mess).

I’ll probably be really fucked up and out of it today so I don’t think I’ll be updating anything today but will aim for tommorow

 

[Splitzz]

Goodluck man! Gonna turn out great

 

[Sectør]

Surgery went well. Was awake the whole time.

He pulled out some massive fucking glands. I asked him to email me this pictures so I can post them. Just waiting on that email then I will, not sure when it’ll come.

Local anaesthia made it pretty easy. I’m awake, functional, I’m sure once the numbing stuff wears off then I won’t be as chipper, but the hard parts over

I can’t wait until they send me the gland pictures though. You guys got to see this. It’s fucking wild how large they were. He showed me during the surgery and I think we were both impressed