Body Dysmorphic Disorder

[canadianmoobs123]

I have found this interesting mental disorder known as  Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It's basically when someone thinks a part of their body is not 'normal' and 'ugly' and it affects their daily lifes. What does this have to do with Gyne? A lot of guys with gynecomastia are obsessed with their chest and I'm certain that it effects their lives. I'm not going to explain all the symptoms/diagnosis mumbo jumbo, but this is very interesting and if you have gynecomastia you should definetley research this a bit cause if gyne causes you as much suffering as it does for most people , you may have BDD.

[Paa_Paw]

We get contacted from time to time by individuals who have photos showing no evidence of a problem. It is sad. The truth is that I think actually having Gynecomastia is probably much easier to deal with than having BDD.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

I am all too familiar with BDD.  In some patients, it is easy to spot ahead of time -- and I often refuse to operate on them.  At other times, I have not spotted it until, unfortunately, after the surgery.  It is then that I find the patient micro-scrutinizing every aspect of his chest -- counting nipple hairs, comparing both sides if they are not absolutely mirror-image symmetric, looking at scars at one week after surgery and making judgments.

They are difficult patients and each one counts for at least one gray hair on my head.  Using reason and common sense on these patients will always fail -- they listen to me and ignore what I have said and go on with their rant.  For the most part, the object of gyne surgery is to produce a normal appearing chest so that a guy fits better into clothing and can remove his shirt without fear of embarrassment.  And most of my patients are pleased.  But a very few, probably with BDD, refuse to accept anything less than perfection -- something no surgeon can produce given the vagaries of operating on the human body.

Dr Jacobs

[xelnaga13]

I had my first surgery when I was 14. The surgeon left a decent amount of the gland. That combined with scar tissue made final results similar to my original condition. I waited a year or so to approach my doctor with my concerns. He told my parents that I suffered from BDD and would need psychological help. I wish I had pushed harder for revision surgery- or found a forum like this to learn about my other options.




I finally got a 2nd surgery a few months ago. Original surgery results were amazing. Lipo + gland removal. Scar tissue is setting in again. But im not concerned because I have kenalog shots scheduled for after the holidays!

[Paa_Paw]

I note with interest Dr. Jacobs comment about minor deviations of symmetry.

My Mother was an artist and had a special interst in Renaissance History which she also taught. One of the most difficult lessons to teach a budding artist is that true symmetry is actually quite rare in nature. So rare in fact that it is almost un-natural. Obviously this applies to the human face and body as well. We had a family friend who was one of those rare people with an almost perfectly symmetrical face; He was one of the most homely people I have ever known.

There is a lesson here for anyone willing to learn.

[Cale]

Yeah it goes both ways though! Being told that no one is perfectly symmetric is all well and good if there really is no issue. But for those who have had a doctor attempt to use the line to cover a legitimately unacceptable error in their work, it certainly makes for gray hairs too! I mean the patient is the one who has to live with it, or who has to go through the whole process again to have it corrected.

[Paa_Paw]

Exactly why a person should use such care in selecting their surgeon.

[canadianmoobs123]

You paid him thousands of dollars for the same sh*tty chest, and he makes BDD an excuse for it. If that's not malpractice than what is?

[Cale]

Yes picking the right surgeon is definitely the key. But heck, you may go with the most experienced Gynecomastia surgeon in the world and not know their true attitude until they make that one off mistake. I'm not sure just how common egos really are amongst plastic surgeons, but admitting to a simple lack of judgment for whatever reason surely dosn't come easy for some!

[Paa_Paw]

We seem to be straying somewhat from the subject.

That said, I would add that if I want a professional with an oversize ego I will call an attorney. I would say too that those who engage in the practice of law have created a condition where no professional would dare to admit of even a momentary lapse of judgement or skill.

[Alchemist]

I have paid a lot more attention to gynecomastia since seeing this site.  I find that I can't watch an evening of TV without seeing multiple cases ranging from minor to very noticeable, both with shirted and bare-chested actors.  Then I see some of the pictures on this site of guys fretting horribly about nothing that I can see.  In looking at post surgical results, I see lots of guys who start out with less than the post surgical guys.  These men are setting themselves up for failure and dissatisfaction. When there is less than 1% chance of noticeable improvement these guys fretting about almost nothing will never be satisfied going from almost nothing to almost nothing with scars.  Working as a consultant with group health plans I end up receiving reports from people who set themselves up for near zero possibility of satisfaction.  Part of my job has been collecting and analyzing such information.  For a lot of reasons while I've got DD breasts I'm also not a good surgical candidate.  I'm 63 and have come to terms with my physique and it affects my life not at all though it was a nightmare during my school years, more than 40 years ago.  Good luck  all.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

That said, I would add that if I want a professional with an oversize ego I will call an attorney. I would say too that those who engage in the practice of law have created a condition where no professional would dare to admit of even a momentary lapse of judgement or skill.

AMEN, BROTHER.


Dr Jacobs

[shaknbake]

That said, I would add that if I want a professional with an oversize ego I will call an attorney. I would say too that those who engage in the practice of law have created a condition where no professional would dare to admit of even a momentary lapse of judgement or skill.

AMEN, BROTHER.


Dr Jacobs

That was priceless!!