Well, I did indeed make the call. My consultation with Fielding is scheduled for October 15th. I also scheduled a consultation with Dr. Levine (who I don't intend to use) just to get another surgeon's opinion. PLUS, I went to see a GP this week just to have him examine my chest. He confirmed that I have masses behind my areolas that will never go away from any amount of exercise or dieting. I asked him about surgery and he then asked me if I understood that it would be purely cosmetic. I told him I did and then he said that he feels it wouldn't be an incredibly complex procedure and if it's something that bothers me then he sees no reason why I shouldn't get it done.
Ever since I was 10 or 12, people would stare when I removed my shirt or remark "wow, you have big nipples". Those are the nice comments, not including the people who used to tell me I had bitch breasts. When I was in grade 7, I even went as far as to put duct tape over my areolas to make my chest look flatter. Every shirt I wore from then on had to compliment my chest or else I couldn't wear it for fear of looks and ridicule. Now that I'm 22 and I'm much more trim than I've ever been, even though my case is mild, I still see no reason why I should keep these little mounds at the bottom of my chest. Weight loss definitely reduced them, but like you said... there's no other way to get rid of the 'gyne'.
So, after discussing all of that with the GP, he said I should go ahead and make an appointment with a surgeon (not knowing I'd already made two). And here I am, 'patiently' waiting. My consultation with Levine is actually this Wednesday. Again, I'm just going to go and show him my chest, ask some questions about what kind of results he thinks I'll get and throw another doctor's opinion on the pile. By the time I meet Fielding, unless something durastic happens to change my mind, I think I'll more or less just be booking the surgery.
I e-mailed my family about the condition and my decision and they're all very supportive except for my dad. My dad isn't against it or anything, I just don't think he fully grasps the idea of the glands in my chest. He and I share a similar build and he said "I think you're always going to have a puffy chest, I don't think surgery's the answer". I don't think he's fully clued into the fact that once the gland is gone, my skin is actually going to attach itself to the new contour of my chest. He's under the impression that it's still just regular fat tissue and not breast. Maybe he's in a bit of denial himself, but he's 54 and relatively comfortable with his body image. He's probably not too interested in spending $2000 or so to get his old chest sculpted anyways. I'm going to send him a few more before and after pics to see if I can show him the light.
I told my manager at work about it and all of my fellow employees. Everyone's cracking jokes, but they're very supportive. Most of them never even noticed because I do such a good job of hiding my slight case.
Now comes the waiting game... I'm actually very excited. I couldn't have timed it better either. I'm thinking that I should get my surgery in late Oct. or early Nov. and then have the entire winter to heal and be ready for summer, GLAND FREE! I've stopped smoking dope and seriously cut back on my booze and womanizing. I just have a little bit of money to save to ensure I have any lipo costs covered and boom! Assuming everything goes well, no more slouching, no more tedious shirt selections and an empowering story to share with all future victims.
Much thanks again to all of you for your support and understanding. The bacon grease was just me cracking wise
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I'll keep you all updated.