A bit of help please?

[thisonehere]

Hello.
I am a 16 year old male living in the UK, and I have recently decided I want to act on my gyno.
I contracted it at the age of 12, and after 4 or 5 years of low self confidence and trying to wear thick shirts to hide the condition, I decided it was time to do something about it.
It is only a small case, a sort of ring of tissue-like stuff that covers the diameters of my nipples, but it is really affecting my attitude towards life and I'd like to have it removed so I can enjoy the future years without being so self concious.
My family have booked a consultancy appointment for the next few weeks, but I'd just like to ask a few questions...
Is it worth it? My mental attitude is really bad at the moment due to the gyno, however is there a high possibility that I could end up with scarring/defects that could make my chest look worse than it is now?

What are the success rates of the surgery? I've seen a few horror stories on the internet and a few success stories, but what is the proportion?

How easy would the operation be on my chest? I have this strange feeling that my youth will help recovery and the small case of gyno will be easily removed. Is it any easier than other operations on gyno?

any help would be really appreciated as I am very confused as to my future currently.
Thanks

[Paa_Paw]

I do not understand the whole issue of low self confidence and depression. I am almost 60 years older than you and surgery was not a good option back then. A person simply had to live with it.

No matter, the teasing and such are familiar and I remember that well  so I understand at least part of what you are going through.

It would be foolish to ignore the possibilities of a problem, but they are not really very common. Problems are rare in fact. People who are less than thrilled with the outcome of their surgery can be highly vocal while those who are pleased are seldom heard from. The other problem is that the final outcome is sometimes months removed from the actual procedure and in the interim the people do give voice to their concerns. Finally, we live in an age where artifical and even impossible standards exist. Photographs are altered and then represented as the ideal. This leads to some people having unrealistic expectations of surgery.

If your expectations are realistic and you are willing to be patient while awaiting the final, fully healed result; I am sure you will be happy.

[thisonehere]

I do not understand the whole issue of low self confidence and depression. I am almost 60 years older than you and surgery was not a good option back then. A person simply had to live with it.

No matter, the teasing and such are familiar and I remember that well  so I understand at least part of what you are going through.

It would be foolish to ignore the possibilities of a problem, but they are not really very common. Problems are rare in fact. People who are less than thrilled with the outcome of their surgery can be highly vocal while those who are pleased are seldom heard from. The other problem is that the final outcome is sometimes months removed from the actual procedure and in the interim the people do give voice to their concerns. Finally, we live in an age where artifical and even impossible standards exist. Photographs are altered and then represented as the ideal. This leads to some people having unrealistic expectations of surgery.

If your expectations are realistic and you are willing to be patient while awaiting the final, fully healed result; I am sure you will be happy.

Thanks a lot. I hate the lack of self confidence as much as anyone, the fact that I am so worried about my own appearance highlights my shallow nature.
I am just very indecisive as to whether risk surgery in which some scars could actually become more apparent than the current gyno, or things going much worse than expected and ending up having a chest that looks completely alien.
I just wish I could have the surgery tomorrow and be guaranteed to have nothing but maybe a few little marks that are barely recognisable.
Oh for it to be an ideal world!

[Paa_Paw]

My wife went into the Hospital and actually got prepped for surgery to replace her left knee. Then, mere moments before shewas to wheeled into the OR, she decided not to have the surgery. The surgeon was very understanding and simply commented that she was obviously not ready yet.

My sweetheart wondered aloud how she would know when she was ready. The surgeon just smiled and said something like "you'll know when it is time."

Less than a year later she had the surgery. less than two years later the other knee was also done.

When you are truly ready, you'll know.  Meanwhile, don't let anyone push you either way. It has to be your decision.

[Alchemist]

After I ended up in the ER with gall bladder problems, I asked the surgeon when people generally had surgery.  His answer "Generally after the first or second attack that lands them in the ER all night."  I had the surgery as quickly as it could be scheduled.

Gynecomastia isn't like that.  It won't end up in the ER with terrible pain and other problems.  It isn't a medical problem.  It is a social-psychological problem.  I solved it 45 years ago.  I started going out with a nudist young lady.  That was really the end of my gynecomastia PROBLEM.  As far as the ladies go, as far as I can tell its more of a plus than a minus.  I have never had a problem getting dates with all the young, and not so young any more, ladies I could ask for.  And frankly I wasn't about to turn down the "you can feel mine if I can feel yours" offers.  They were curious about a pair of D or DD cups on a guy.  Go to a naturist campground for a weekend.  Meet a bunch of people that couldn't care less about whether you have breasts.  Join a different culture with a different set of expectations.  At the naturist camp you would see gynecomastia is very common because nobody is hiding.  You would have a blast if you could get rid of your fears.  Good luck and have fun.  I do.  If you were to ask for a list of my problems gynecomastia wouldn't be on the list at all.  I'm a long time out of jr. high school and the juvenile mindset there.

[silentsam]

i don't think that is completely true. one of my reasons for getting surgery was pain. dont get me wrong, it is also about looks. i was a fitness model and am involved in that industry, so having gyno from non steroid related issues (hair drugs) did not help..

but the uncomfrtable feeling is always there. some days not so bad, others pretty uncomfortable. its not just the sensation of knowing its there but the pain or discomfort.

this is not plastic surgery - dont care if anyone says different.
unless its just lipo (which is not true gyno and is plastic surgery) we are getting something cut out of us. unlike a woman getting implants, we are having a surgery to get rid of something not the norm and a lot of times painful.

i think 100% it should be covered as a much needed surgery. the only reason i associate plastic surgery with it is because they are the ones who can really make sure we visually look good after a much needed surgical operation - much more so than a lapband surgery, which can be covered under insurance. weight loss should be done for both situations but gland is gland and wont leave.