Gynecomastia surgery experiences?

[supraboy]

Anybody have any experiences with this operation? Caused by hormone imbalances, not through steroid use, I read there are cures for the steroid cause, but it seems only cure for the hormone cause of gynecomastia is surgery.

Thanks

[VolvoT5]

Make sure you get a surgeon that does plenty of these operations and knows how to remove excess glandular tissue and doesn't just lipo suction off the fat. Gynecomastia is usually a mixture of both kinds of tissue and if they only remove the fat you will end up with disappointing results. On the other hand if they remove too much tissue it can lead to indentations on the chest and worst case scenario is the skin attaching to the muscle which looks really unnatural.

Some quacks will tell you to lose weight but if yours is genuinely caused by hormone issues weight loss will not solve the problem because the glandular tissue doesn't go away with weight loss.

Some names I'm aware of are Mr Vik Vijh (He took over Mr Paul Levick's practise after he retired and he was a specialist in moob reduction) and Mr Alex Karidis who is based in London.

[Evanivitch]

VolvoT5 is spot on.

I had asymmetric gynecomastia and was not traced back to a cause (no drugs, no steroids, alcohol, weight or clear hormone issue).

I had it done on the NHS (2011) by a general cosmetic surgeon. Whilst he had experience of the condition, he did only the liposuction despite there clearly being firmer tissue. The surgery left minimal scarring and the recovery was not too difficult (considering I was Driving and cycling a lot at the time).

At the follow up it was agreed that the liposuction surgery was unsuccessful but I wasn't willing to go into more invasive surgery and grew to accept the imperfection.

[VolvoT5]

Evanivitch said:

VolvoT5 is spot on.

I had asymmetric gynecomastia and was not traced back to a cause (no drugs, no steroids, alcohol, weight or clear hormone issue).

I had it done on the NHS (2011) by a general cosmetic surgeon. Whilst he had experience of the condition, he did only the liposuction despite there clearly being firmer tissue. The surgery left minimal scarring and the recovery was not too difficult (considering I was Driving and cycling a lot at the time).

At the follow up it was agreed that the liposuction surgery was unsuccessful but I wasn't willing to go into more invasive surgery and grew to accept the imperfection.

TBH that makes me quite angry to read. He was at best inexperienced and at worst incompetent and put you through a procedure (with all associated risks) that was almost certainly never going to benefit you.

Lipo can't break up the harder tissue very well, they need to make an incision to cut it out... this usually leaves a small scar around the areola or under the armpit, depending what technique the surgeon uses. Then they use lipo after to sculpt the chest.

There is no reason the issue can't be 'fixed' if the right person is selected for the job.

OP if you have a severe enough case and it bothers you then it is well worth spending the money to get it fixed and travelling to see the right surgeon privately.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Saturday 9th July 18:19

[RUNAMOK]

I had corrective surgery where glandular tissue was removed and liposuction used to tidy up the fat. Approx 7 years ago. Losing weight wouldn't have worked, anybody who has had this would know the tissue isn't the type that will just disappear with weight loss. I had it since a teen but only decided to plump for surgery when it was weighing on my mind too much - i keep myself trim and it was quite noticeable (to me at least). I'm not normally one to care about the way I look, but I was a young man and it did worry me.

Regarding the comments about liposuction vs removal of firmer tissue. It was never considered only to use liposuction as the main issue for me was the firmer tissue - I didn't realise some surgeons just do liposuction.

Anyway, for me the surgery was a complete success. it removed the tissue, was extremely neat and the scarring is virtually unnoticeable unless you really look closely. the recovery period was not too challenging, just a couple of weeks in a compression top etc. But most importantly i never ever think about it any more.

However, the caveat is that I paid for it to be done privately - the NHS would not have done it unless I had waited a long time (years). And so I used a private surgeon, Stephen McCulley, who fortunately was quite local to me. He specialises in this operation and other similar procedures.

Happy to chat further - PM me if you would like

[Evanivitch]

VolvoT5 said:

TBH that makes me quite angry to read. He was at best inexperienced and at worst incompetent and put you through a procedure (with all associated risks) that was almost certainly never going to benefit you.

Lipo can't break up the harder tissue very well, they need to make an incision to cut it out... this usually leaves a small scar around the areola or under the armpit, depending what technique the surgeon uses. Then they use lipo after to sculpt the chest.

There is no reason the issue can't be 'fixed' if the right person is selected for the job.

OP if you have a severe enough case and it bothers you then it is well worth spending the money to get it fixed and travelling to see the right surgeon privately.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Saturday 9th July 18:19

We talked through the procedure several times and it was agreed that the least invasive method was the best way forward at the first attempt and the offer of the hard cut was always available.

I have no issues with the competency of the surgeon and was appreciative that I was able to have a cosmetic procedure On the NHS.

[VolvoT5]

Evanivitch said:

We talked through the procedure several times and it was agreed that the least invasive method was the best way forward at the first attempt and the offer of the hard cut was always available.

I have no issues with the competency of the surgeon and was appreciative that I was able to have a cosmetic procedure On the NHS.

So you were happy to go through an operation that was basically not going to benefit you and ultimately didn't? Seems odd to me. Would you be happy if you went to a doctor with chest pain and they just gave you a paracetamol because it was less invasive than doing a test and fixing the presenting problem?

Also liposuction is sold as an easy option but the traditional way of doing it, they basically shove a rod in and move it back and forth to break up the fat and suck it out. It is pretty brutal.

I would argue if OP is going to have an operation it is better to get it done right first time, once the tissues are altered they are never the same and doing revision surgeries if the first result isn't right is just a recipe for disaster.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Saturday 9th July 19:16

[Evanivitch]

VolvoT5 said:

So you were happy to go through an operation that was basically not going to benefit you and ultimately didn't? Seems odd to me. Would you be happy if you went to a doctor with chest pain and they just gave you a paracetamol because it was less invasive than doing a test and fixing the presenting problem?

I was happy to give a less invasive method a go, and to be blunt, I don't think consultant surgeons go about doing wasteful general anaesthetic surgeries as a routine. Clearly his experience led him to believe (and subsequently I've seen his name in a localised news article on the topic) that there was a chance of success in this method. This wasn't a 10 minute GP surgery appointment, he had nearly 10 months and several consultancies to change his mind.

The aalternative of hard surgery with potentially more scarring, a longer recovery and the potential for concave nipple if overdone means I'm happy with the small-step approach.

[vonuber]

I've had it done, was growing a tit on one side as a side effect of my brain tumour. Once that was done they removed the boob - was fairly straightforward, general anaesthetic was in and out in a day.
Had to wear a compression bandage for 2 weeks, then one of those tight fitting vests athletes use, but apart from that it was fine.
Oh and a loss of sensation in the nipple and below the skin, but meh.

[oceanview]

VolvoT5 said:

Evanivitch said:

We talked through the procedure several times and it was agreed that the least invasive method was the best way forward at the first attempt and the offer of the hard cut was always available.

I have no issues with the competency of the surgeon and was appreciative that I was able to have a cosmetic procedure On the NHS.

So you were happy to go through an operation that was basically not going to benefit you and ultimately didn't? Seems odd to me. Would you be happy if you went to a doctor with chest pain and they just gave you a paracetamol because it was less invasive than doing a test and fixing the presenting problem?

Also liposuction is sold as an easy option but the traditional way of doing it, they basically shove a rod in and move it back and forth to break up the fat and suck it out. It is pretty brutal.

I would argue if OP is going to have an operation it is better to get it done right first time, once the tissues are altered they are never the same and doing revision surgeries if the first result isn't right is just a recipe for disaster.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Saturday 9th July 19:16

They now have a liposuction option, which has been modified to remove gland tissue as well- my surgeon described it as like a cheese grater!

It means that you don't have scars under the nipples or require drains after surgery, like you normally do with the incision method.

[supraboy]

Thanks for the replies.

This is something that I have dealt with since my teens, now 23 and still it is the same. I may be carrying a few extra kilos (82kg and 6ft tall) but my chest does not seem in proportion with the rest of my body.

This has effected my confidence massively, and it's effected my long term health. When I began to notice this, I started rounding my shoulders and hunching as not to draw attention to my chest, so much so that I may have done irepairable damage there. I feel if I get this corrected, I will be able to begin holding myself as I should, but I'm to self conscious to do that right now.

I now live in Australia, so the suggestions of surgeons are great, but no use to me at the moment... Would the first step be going to see a general doctor, or do I need to see a specialist to confirm it's gynecomastia?

Thanks again for all the replies.

[dandre89]

RUNAMOK said:

I had corrective surgery where glandular tissue was removed and liposuction used to tidy up the fat. Approx 7 years ago. Losing weight wouldn't have worked, anybody who has had this would know the tissue isn't the type that will just disappear with weight loss. I had it since a teen but only decided to plump for surgery when it was weighing on my mind too much - i keep myself trim and it was quite noticeable (to me at least). I'm not normally one to care about the way I look, but I was a young man and it did worry me.

Regarding the comments about liposuction vs removal of firmer tissue. It was never considered only to use liposuction as the main issue for me was the firmer tissue - I didn't realise some surgeons just do liposuction.

Anyway, for me the surgery was a complete success. it removed the tissue, was extremely neat and the scarring is virtually unnoticeable unless you really look closely. the recovery period was not too challenging, just a couple of weeks in a compression top etc. But most importantly i never ever think about it any more.

However, the caveat is that I paid for it to be done privately - the NHS would not have done it unless I had waited a long time (years). And so I used a private surgeon, Stephen McCulley, who fortunately was quite local to me. He specialises in this operation and other similar procedures.

Happy to chat further - PM me if you would like

I stupidly travelled to Poland 2 weeks ago I’m a bodybuilder and I have been left with a crator deformity I am so upset to be honest I’m devastated it didn’t even look bad now it looks terrible can anyone recommend someone who could fix it looking online it says keep away from fat grafts not fat flaps might work?

I messaged Poland surgeon this was his response:
This is absolutelly tipical view in very short time after surgery when huge stiff and hard gland was removed.
You have to wait min 6month post op with the finally result
Im on Holidays 18.06-08.07 with no acces to the internet
with any another questions send email directelly to the Office
regards
wb

Wysłane z iPhone'a

I won’t be going back there any one got any advice I am beside myself

[vonuber]

Did you wear a compression bandage for a few weeks then a tight skin tight top, like you use on a triathlon?