Advice on choosing a surgeon

[abcdlr]

Hello everyone.  I've made the big decision, and I want to book a consultation with a surgeon.  I'm from an area that doesn't have any surgeons recommended when I search on this site, so I'm instead doing my own research online.  I can't find any surgeon that specializes in gyne surgery, but I did find a good one who specializes in breast surgery in general.  Any thoughts on this?

[headheldhigh01]

yes.  you want a board-certified ps, and specifically someone who specializes in gyne or at least has many dozens or hundreds of gyne ops under his belt.  that doesn't sound like what you found.  if you have to travel some, do it, there are lots around the country, you may possibly not even have to leave your state.  it'll be worth it.  

i say "his" at the risk of being called sexist, but while i'm sure there are competent women out there, it just seems like the accounts i've seen here seemed overall unsatisfactory.  i don't know why, but one possibility may be that they may - may - not take it as seriously.  again not all, but that's how it's seemed.  there are probably a lot of female ops as well that may generally be done better by women.  

you also don't want to go NEAR a generalist.  i've seen pics of their results.  scary.  irregular X's across the areolas to get at it.  areolas cut out completely iirc or close and replaced instead of neat periareolar semicircles or something        they think their job is to hack it out, and bad appearance is just a casualty and your problem, not his.  get someone who knows the technique specifically, who wants an excision with an even surface as a result, even moving your arms around.  100% perfection may not be possible, but somebody competent can probably get you close.  

in addition, never assume that lipo will do the same job as excision.  too many unhappy results.  it will take out 95% of a severe case but still leave fibrous tissue behind that doesn't belong.  no matter what they tell you otherwise.  

hope that helps.  

[abcdlr]

Thank you for your advice.  I am going to go to the consultation and see what he has to say about his experience with gyne.  He is a specialist in breast surgery, and has listed that he performs the surgery on his website.  Every review I have found has been incredibly positive of him, but I don't know if any of the comments are from men.  Regardless, I trust that he will be honest with me when discussing his gyne surgery experience, etc.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Most plastic surgery of the breast is performed on women -- and thus most plastic surgeons have far more experience in dealing with female breast surgery.  Plastic surgery for gyne is quite different in many respects.  Men want a flat, contoured chest, nipples flush with the skin and with virtually no residual breast tissue -- women want the opposite -- larger, curvy breasts.  A surgeon preparing to do gyne surgery has to deal with a totally different paradigm.

Would therefore recommend that you speak to your surgeon and specifically ask how many gyne procedures he does in a week or year.  Look for a fair number of before/after gyne photos -- not just one or two.  Ask about his philosophy of lipo and excision.  In essence, do your homework!  The best chance for a good result is your first operation -- you really don't want a second one.

Dr Jacobs

[Grandpa Bambu]

yes.  you want a board-certified ps, and specifically someone who specializes in gyne or at least has many dozens or hundreds of gyne ops under his belt.  that doesn't sound like what you found.  if you have to travel some, do it, there are lots around the country, you may possibly not even have to leave your state.  it'll be worth it.  

i say "his" at the risk of being called sexist, but while i'm sure there are competent women out there, it just seems like the accounts i've seen here seemed overall unsatisfactory.  i don't know why, but one possibility may be that they may - may - not take it as seriously.  again not all, but that's how it's seemed.  there are probably a lot of female ops as well that may generally be done better by women.  

you also don't want to go NEAR a generalist.  i've seen pics of their results.  scary.  irregular X's across the areolas to get at it.  areolas cut out completely iirc or close and replaced instead of neat periareolar semicircles or something        they think their job is to hack it out, and bad appearance is just a casualty and your problem, not his.  get someone who knows the technique specifically, who wants an excision with an even surface as a result, even moving your arms around.  100% perfection may not be possible, but somebody competent can probably get you close.  

in addition, never assume that lipo will do the same job as excision.  too many unhappy results.  it will take out 95% of a severe case but still leave fibrous tissue behind that doesn't belong.  no matter what they tell you otherwise.  

hope that helps.  

Great post HHH...

Yeah, women surgeons (and I'm only 'speculating' here) 'probably' do not understand what the gyne patient is feeling/has gone through in regard to his Gynecomastia. One woman PS told her patient that "Oh that's nothing, you are being silly". How would she feel if she had 'facial hair' that she couldn't get rid of? There is a woman in my neck of the woods that had a 'Full Beard'... Could you imagine what she must have gone through with a full beard? Anyways, a little off topic here...

So yeah, I second the motion that a 'male' PS would be your best bet...

I also agree with HHH's statement on a PS who 'Gerally' specializs in 'Breast Surgery'... Don't do it!!! Female 'Breast Reduction' is a much different procedure. Aesthetically anyways... See, a woman usually doesn't 'need' or 'want' to expose her breasts to ohters than a 'select' few. It 'may' not be 'essential' to the 'female' breast reduction patient to have almost 'undecetable' incision scars. You NEED to find a PS (preferably male) who specializes in Gynecomastic Reduciton Surgery (G.R.S. (not to be confused with Gender Reassignment Sugery...)) The PS who specializes in G.R.S. 'usually' understands the 'urgency' in an aesthetically pleasing final result...

Finally, in regard to Lipo 'only'... As HHH said, in most cases 'Lipo Only' Gyne reduction procedures do not provide an adequate result. 'Close, but no CIGAR!!!'. DO NOT GET 'LIPO ONLY'!!!

GB...

 

[Grandpa Bambu]

Plastic surgery for gyne is quite different in many respects.

Would therefore recommend that you speak to your surgeon and specifically ask how many gyne procedures he does in a week or year.  Look for a fair number of before/after gyne photos -- not just one or two.  Ask about his philosophy of lipo and excision.  In essence, do your homework!  The best chance for a good result is your first operation -- you really don't want a second one.

Dr Jacobs

I agree with Doc Jacobs...

Make sure that the PS that you choose is competent in 'GYNECOMASTIA REDUCTION SURGERY'... (Excision and Liposuction). Make sure you ask for that 'SPECIFICALLY'... Or, make sure that it says that 'specifically' on the surgeons website.

You should select a PS that performs 'at least' 150 Gynecomastic Reduction Surgeries a year. Roughly 13 a month. Also, it would be advisable for the surgeon to have been performing G.R.S. for several years... As the old saying goes... 'Practice makes (near) perfection'.

Also, don't choose a surgeon based of the issue of money... Don't 'short change' yourself. There is another old saying that I believe in... 'You get what you pay for' most of the time...

As HHH mentioned, you may have to travel somewhat for this procedure. Don't put this fact out of the realm of possibility. To have the procedure done correctly, a road trip may be in your future...

Do your HOMEWORK, choose wisely and spare no expense...

Waiting for you on the 'Other Side'...


GB...

[abcdlr]

Thank you everyone for the advice.  I am going for a consultation this week and I will definitely report back. 

[abcdlr]

You all were right - I had my consultation and I don't believe that it would be a good fit with that particular surgeon.  My area doesn't have any gynecomastia specialists, the closest is Chicago (5 hours away).  Does anyone have any advice as to how to go about making the long distance trek for a consultation / surgery?  Has anyone here done it?  Is it worth it to go to a more experience surgeon so far away or find someone with less experience closer to home?  All advice is appreciated. 

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

I believe Dr. Pensler is located in Chicago -- you might want to consult with him.

Some surgeons offer a remote consultation by email and phone/Skype.  Perhaps you could inquire with a few gyne specialists about this.  I frequently do this as a courtesy to patients from all across the US and around the world.  It enables a fairly good consultation, though nothing will replace a face to face consult and physical exam.  But many times, it decreases the need to travel to just one trip for the surgery.

Dr Jacobs

[Grandpa Bambu]

Is it worth it to go to a more experience surgeon so far away or find someone with less experience closer to home?  

There was a gyne sufferer 'Zardoz' a few years back in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada that travelled to Toronto, Ontario Canada (2700 miles by air) to have his surgery performed by Dr. John 'Craig' Fielding. I met Zardoz at Pearson International Airport and took him to his hotel... As I had the procedure done by JCF a few years prior, I knew the gyne surgery 'ropes'. Basically, I was Zardoz's 'Gyne Surgery Guide'. After the procedure, Zardoz and I went back to my house for a few beers... Zardoz was so anxious to see how the surgery went, he removed his bandages... WOW!!! I'll never forget the smile on his face...  PRICELESS!!!!!

So yes, IMO, it is "Worth It" to go to a more 'Experienced' surgeon that is further away, than a local 'Less Experienced' surgeon...

GB...