Author Topic: HELP!  (Read 5391 times)

Offline absec9

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Well, I had my first consultation today.
The doctor seemed friendly yada yada..but he didn't show me any before and after pics.  After examining me, he said that he saw no real need to rush into surgery ... but I am still obsessed with it that I am going to have it removed ASAP.  I am still having some hormonal problems so I am trying to get into another endo to fix it (the other one didn't know what was causing my gyno.  It's been growing for four months now).

Anyway, I asked the surgeon about liposuction and he said that he would not lipo my chest/side of chest bc there wasn't enough fat/tissue there.  It is probably about an inch thick and he said that it would be difficult to lipo it because it may cause contour problems etc. But, I have heard other people say that they were lipo'ed and then they looked ripped afterward without any problem!

should i just keep searching for other better surgeons?  I really want most of the fat on my chest and lats GONE.

Offline Grandpa Bambu

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I have heard other people say that they were lipo'ed and then they looked ripped afterward without any problem!

Don't expect to look like Arnold in his prime after liposuction...

To get 'ripped', you also have to pump some iron dude...  ;)

Post a pic or two...

GB...
Surgery: February 16, 2005. - Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Surgeon: Dr. John Craig Fielding   M.D.   F.R.C.S. (C) (416.766.8890)
Pre-Op/Post-Op Pics

Offline absec9

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I have a lot of muscle...i'm been lifting for the past 8 years, and then I took a prohormone which CAUSED the gyno. So, yeah I have muscles.  I just need to know if this new layer of tissue can be lipo'ed out!

Offline Dr. Elliot Jacobs

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Difficult to answer your original question without photos, etc.

In general, it seems as if your gyno developed as a consequence of taking supplements.  Obviously, if you continue the supplements the gyno will continue to grow.  Would recommend stopping it -- and checking out your hormone status with an endocrinologist.  Your body may need several months to stabilize.

Then find a surgeon who is experienced in this surgery.  He should be able to show you many many before and after photos -- if not, I would be careful. 

An experienced surgeon, with a proper hands-on physical exam, should be able to tell you how much, if any, lipo can be done.  My gut feeling:  probably some lipo will help.

Good luck!

Dr Jacobs
Dr. Jacobs 
Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Fellow: American College of Surgeons
Practice sub-specialty in Gynecomastia Surgery
4800 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561  367 9101
Email:  dr.j@elliotjacobsmd.com
Website:  http://www.gynecomastiasurgery.com
Website:  http://www.gynecomastianewyork.c

Offline Grandpa Bambu

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I have a lot of muscle...i'm been lifting for the past 8 years, and then I took a prohormone which CAUSED the gyno. So, yeah I have muscles.  I just need to know if this new layer of tissue can be lipo'ed out!

My apologies to you... some guys (who have never lifted) think that they can have a 'chiseled' chest just by having lipo...

As Doc Jacobs mentioned... post a few pics my man...  Left and right profiles are best...

GB...

DrBermant

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Well, I had my first consultation today.
The doctor seemed friendly yada yada..but he didn't show me any before and after pics.  After examining me, he said that he saw no real need to rush into surgery ... but I am still obsessed with it that I am going to have it removed ASAP.  I am still having some hormonal problems so I am trying to get into another endo to fix it (the other one didn't know what was causing my gyno.  It's been growing for four months now).

Anyway, I asked the surgeon about liposuction and he said that he would not lipo my chest/side of chest bc there wasn't enough fat/tissue there.  It is probably about an inch thick and he said that it would be difficult to lipo it because it may cause contour problems etc. But, I have heard other people say that they were lipo'ed and then they looked ripped afterward without any problem!

should i just keep searching for other better surgeons?  I really want most of the fat on my chest and lats GONE.

Well, I have been having gyno growth for 3 months now, and the docs FINALLY told me that I had a high level of 17 hyrdroxyprogesterone.  I have to get one final test done to check my adrenal gland (had a cortisal level tested today).  Anyway, I am pretty sure it is going to come back positive - in that the test was not a fluke. 

does anyone know what types of steroids can be given to lower levels of 17 hyrdoxyprogesterone?

Also, I know I have asked a similar question, but this is really bothering me. 
I have gynecomastia.  It has grown into a ping pong ball sized lump under my nipple, and there is a layer of tissue all on my chest as well as under my arms almost to my back.  It is breast tissue, not fat (I had an ultrasound done).  Can this breast tissue (not a hard lump like under my nipple) be removed via liposuction?  I know there are aggressive cannulas, but I just don't know if those will work on this thin layer of tissue.  Can it be removed evenly so everything looks normal again? 
I am getting depression medicines today as well.  Everything seems to be crashing down on me because of this - but the end is in sight.  Praise the Lord.  ???

There can be many possible reasons for high levels of 17-OH progesterone:

  • Inconsistent Testing - That is why some doctors will reorder tests to verify
  • Adrenal tumors
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
  • Other forms of Adrenal Hyperplasia
  • Imbalanced Hormonal System after Cycle
  • Other Factors

Testing may lead to other testing as the Endocrinologist tries to define the problem. Treatment depends on what is uncovered and is best discussed with the Endocrinologist. Once the underlying problem is stabilized, then surgery to correct the residual deformity may be an option.


Unfortunately, surgery does not stop breast growth. If there is an underlying cause for the gynecomastia, surgery will not stop the process and recurrence will occur. Getting the problem stabilized first is the best first course. Rushing into surgery, especially by someone who does not have many examples before and after of what they offer, usually ends in a disaster.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

Offline Dr. Cruise

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It isn't really a matter of whether or not the surgeon is good, it comes down to the surgeon's area of expertise.  Not all surgeons specialize in gynecomastia.  In fact, most plastic surgeons rarely treat gynecomastia, and therefore are not as comfortable with it.  Certainly, your first step is to control and manage your hormonal abnormality if any, prior to seeking surgical correction.
Dr. Cruise
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
2081 San Joaquin Hills Road
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-644-4808
Before and After Pictures
Types of Gynecomastia

Offline absec9

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First of all, yes I realize I must stabilize the problem.  I'm working on it.   Many many doctors...many many appointments...but all have said it will just go back to normal eventually >:|
I went to my consultation just so that I could have some inner peace...to know that it could be removed...but the appt was a failure.  My gyno is bad to me, but not bad to others.  Its a significant amount that has grown I would say, but It is so dispersed evenly ALL over my chest/side of chest that it just looks like i have bigger pecs.  I don't want that though, i want a hard chest again :/
I'll post some pics

Offline absec9

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Hi, everyone.
I've posted on here quite a few times now, but nothing has changed.  I took a prohormone in January of this year, and I have been growing gynecomastia ever since.  My nipples get rock hard and my chest/lats/back tingle and I can feel growth inside of me.  My chest has changed radically over the past 8 months.  I have been to multiple doctors and endos, but nothing is saying anything.  My test/estrogen levels are normal, and they did a SLEW of other hormones, and they keep coming back normal.  WHY could this still be growing?

I heard of one guy like this, but he went ahead and had surgery but for some reason it didn't grow back.  It doesn't really make any sense, but I am desperate.  I have been suicidal for a very long time now, and with these newest test results showing that I'm "fine" on the inside while my chest is still growing, it scares me because I know I still feel like that every so often.  Any advice?

Offline bliss9k

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First off, take a deep breath and relax. If you are feeling this down, you should really contact a loved one or doctor right away. If these feelings are being induced by your gyne condition, just relax. It's not the end of the world. Our bodies change from week to week to month to month. Could just be fat accumulating. Could just be you being overly critical.  Ive lived my entire adult life with gyne until last Thursday and although it's kept me from being as free as I would have liked, I've certainly enjoyed it thus far. You can always consult an experienced surgeon and get their opinion as well. But in all seriousness, talk to someone about what you are going through, it will help. Keep your head up.

Offline absec9

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It's definitely gynecomastia.  My nipples get hard and hurt and then i can just feel stuff growing.  It's awful. I've talked to people.  It doesn't help.  I just need have an answer..

Offline Paa_Paw

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It is said that what is between a man's ears is more important than a bit of surplus tissue on the chest. Nice to say, but it does not address the concerns mentioned.

What the hell induced you to take prohormone?

Ah well it is too late now to worry about that.

Be patient for a while, the body has a great ability to restore itself to normal when we quit messing things up. Leave the chemicals alone! When Gynecomastia is drug induced, it will often slowly resolve without problem when the offending drug is withdrawn. It will if the drug is withdrawn soon enough, that is.

Obviously this does not always work, and you may want to see an Endocrinologist for testing to see if there is a residual imbalance of the hormones. This may not be needed however, simply be patient for a while.

If the situation worsens, then you will definitely want to see the Endo--- If the condition proves to be stabilized, you may want to investigate surgery. But I think patience should be your first response. Hope for the best, but start saving your coins---just in case.
Grandpa Dan

DrBermant

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Hi, everyone.
I've posted on here quite a few times now, but nothing has changed.  I took a prohormone in January of this year, and I have been growing gynecomastia ever since.  My nipples get rock hard and my chest/lats/back tingle and I can feel growth inside of me.  My chest has changed radically over the past 8 months.  I have been to multiple doctors and endos, but nothing is saying anything.  My test/estrogen levels are normal, and they did a SLEW of other hormones, and they keep coming back normal.  WHY could this still be growing?

I heard of one guy like this, but he went ahead and had surgery but for some reason it didn't grow back.  It doesn't really make any sense, but I am desperate.  I have been suicidal for a very long time now, and with these newest test results showing that I'm "fine" on the inside while my chest is still growing, it scares me because I know I still feel like that every so often.  Any advice?

Once the delicate balance of the body's hormone axis has been upset, it may spontaneously revert back to normal or remain a problem. It can be a major challenge to uncover the factors causing gynecomastia and can take an experienced Endocrinologist with a passion to play Sherlock Holmes to understand such issues. The best way to undertake this is providing the doctor all of the details as to what has been taken, test results so far, and any possible issues involved. Failures I have seen coming to me for advice have either blind sided their evaluating doctor withholding their use of substances or were having incomplete endocrine evaluations for one reason or another.

Sometimes the balance can be brought back into place by manipulating the hormones. I have never seen a case where surgery stopped the breast growth. But then my sampling is biased, those who did get such results elsewhere tend not to ask me for help nor report their success. I have seen many patients who had continued breast growth after surgery done elsewhere with the underlying problem not brought into balance first.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

Offline Dr. Cruise

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Do not be surprised with your normal hormone levels. The vast majority of my gynecomastia patients who have been tested by endos have normal lab values. Often it is not elevated hormone, rather it is increase sensitivity of the breast tissue to normal hormone levels.  Painful breasts typically represent a growth period within the breasts. I routinely operate on patients during this growth period by removing the vast majority of breast tissue. Gynecomastia recurrence is exceptionally uncommon as long as you don't take prohoromones/steroids in the future.

While surgery is a great option, it's not unreasonable to wait 6 months or so to see if your body recovers on it's own.

Offline absec9

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Dr.  Cruise,
So if I were to have the surgery and have ALL the tissue removed then there is a chance that it would stop growing?  I have heard of one personal case (I have emailed with him back and forth) and it worked out for him.  I really need it to stop so I am willing to try anything!

Also, it has been 8 months now that I have stopped the pro-hormone.

 

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