Trust the doctors? Please help.

[rockymnt]

tough choice but think you are in good hands either way from your feedback and posts

Hello, I just read your thread and noticed you had lipo only. I have a few questions. What type of lipo did you have? I know you are still swollen but do you think you will be happy with the results? Did you have the typical firm mass behind your nipple? Were you and your doctor ever considering excision?

Both doctors that have felt for themselves thought I would see great results with lipo only. But neither have the experience of Dr Albin.

Thanks

[MSJ108]

tough choice but think you are in good hands either way from your feedback and posts

Hello, I just read your thread and noticed you had lipo only. I have a few questions. What type of lipo did you have? I know you are still swollen but do you think you will be happy with the results? Did you have the typical firm mass behind your nipple? Were you and your doctor ever considering excision?

Both doctors that have felt for themselves thought I would see great results with lipo only. But neither have the experience of Dr Albin.

Thanks

Yes lipo only here. Not sure If I will be happy. I have only seen my chest once since surgery which was on Tues. Nipples looked less puffy but its hard to tell because they were fresh from being pressed all day by vest and pads. Other than that my chest has been wrapped up in the vest and pads. I didn't have any hard gland below or behind the nipple. However, my main issue was puffy areaolas. My doc told me that prior to surgery that he couldn't feel gland but prob had some gland mixed in with some fat in my chest. He told me he was confident he could get it all out with lipo, but would create an incision for gland removal if needed. He said he would determine this once he got working on me. After the surgery he said he got everything with lipo alone. This Sat when I can remove the pads and shower (thank god). I will be able to better determine If I am happy with reduction in areola puffiness.

[MSJ108]

ps. I wanted the incision but I talked to my primary care doc, and a few surgeons. The surgeons all said they couldn't feel much gland (wierd cuz my areolas were puffy). I didn't want to TELL them what to do (I heard horror stories of cratering). I trusted their judgement. I pray everything looks good!

[rockymnt]

ps. I wanted the incision but I talked to my primary care doc, and a few surgeons. The surgeons all said they couldn't feel much gland (wierd cuz my areolas were puffy). I didn't want to TELL them what to do (I heard horror stories of cratering). I trusted their judgement. I pray everything looks good!

This is the same situation I am in but I can feel solid masses and am not sure at all what is gland, fat, and breast tissue. I am also worried about the dreaded crater. I e-mailed doc 2 asking for more specifics about what he thought the content of my gyno was. He acknowledges that lipo will not remove the gland. I just assumed gland was my main problem because everything feels so firm.

He estimated he could remove a minimum of 70% of all the offending tissue with lipo alone. I am fine fine with that as long as the remaining 30% isn't all behind a cone shaped nipple. Of course it would be nice to have it done locally and with lipo only. That way I can spend the money I would have spent on the travel and excision on a surf trip once I heal. Beach vacations are all the more appealing.

Thanks for your insights.

[MSJ108]

Besides muscle (which you know what that feels like) you should only be able feel fat (which you know what that feels like) and maybe a small marble like ball behind the nipple which is a breast bud. If you feel any other hard stone like lump just below the nipple you got gland issues.

Glad to help! Good luck!

[rockymnt]

Besides muscle (which you know what that feels like) you should only be able feel fat (which you know what that feels like) and maybe a small marble like ball behind the nipple which is a breast bud. If you feel any other hard stone like lump just below the nipple you got gland issues.

Glad to help! Good luck!

If that is the case I do have gland issues. Excision is a must. Now I have to decide who should preform this operation.

All help is very appreciated. It seems that most have the surgery and put this forum and this part of their life behind them (understandably so). It is great to know some stick around to share their wisdom and experience with others.

What I know for sure is that at 27 years old and having faced this for 15+ years, I have gone too far to not go through with this operation. Thanks everyone for your help.

[MSJ108]

You got it man. Good luck to you. Please keep us posted!!!!

[rockymnt]

I just spoke to Delgado and he agrees with Dr. Albin that obviously I have extensive gland work to be done. Although both have only seen photos I tend to agree based on my own brief educational research.

This makes me worry about Doc 2 and anyone else that recomends that I start with lipo only.

Delgado is sending me a more personalized quote however on the low end he was much more expensive than the other docs and he thinks I am more of an extreme case. He does say that my somewhat athletic physique and firm skin will help a great deal.

Right now the advantage is Dr. Albin because he is very experienced and is thousands less than Delgado. Also Denver is much cheaper than San Fran although less fun/entertaining imo. If I go with Albin I can spend the rest on a Beach/Surf vacation in northern California when I am healed and can really enjoy it.

Does anyone think I am ok doing this locally and insisting on excision despite doctor recommendation?

[MSJ108]

Delgado gets great reviews on this board. Hell of a doctor from what I read. However, he is very expensive! San Fran is expensive which is part of it.

[milesed1]

Don't be afraid to shop around with docs before scheduling surgery with someone you feel comfortable with and trust. Just pay the consult fee and consider it part of the overall cost. I would definately go with one who performs this procedure a LOT. I think it's better to pay a little more for one surgery done correctly than to pay for a revision later too.

[rockymnt]

Don't be afraid to shop around with docs before scheduling surgery with someone you feel comfortable with and trust. Just pay the consult fee and consider it part of the overall cost. I would definately go with one who performs this procedure a LOT. I think it's better to pay a little more for one surgery done correctly than to pay for a revision later too.

I agree, thats why I have been driving myself crazy trying to make this decision. I have spoken to 5 docs and been examined by 3. Ive been quoted between $3,000 and $8,200.

[MSJ108]

Don't be afraid to shop around with docs before scheduling surgery with someone you feel comfortable with and trust. Just pay the consult fee and consider it part of the overall cost. I would definately go with one who performs this procedure a LOT. I think it's better to pay a little more for one surgery done correctly than to pay for a revision later too.

I agree, thats why I have been driving myself crazy trying to make this decision. I have spoken to 5 docs and been examined by 3. Ive been quoted between $3,000 and $8,200.

which one you going with?

[rockymnt]

which one you going with?

Right now I am booked with both Doc 2 locally and Dr. Albin in denver to perform surgery on the same day early next month. I am going to sleep on it this weekend and then cancel one on monday (probably doc 2). I had to lock in a date that would work for me schedule wise. Albins office went out of their way to meet my schedule needs.

Albin is 5100 and requires an 8 hour drive each way. I think it is worth it for the peace of mind I get from knowing he does so many of these a year. I have seen and heard only good things about him. Also his price in in the mid range and his experience is near the top of those I researched.

I am sure Doc 2 is a highly skilled surgeon but he doesn't do nearly as many gynecomastia surgery's. Also his recommendation of lipo only makes me question him more.

Thanks for the help everyone. Anyone else? Anything I am missing?
 

[rockymnt]

One thing that I find funny about myself: I have had a couple far more serious operations and I never did any research on doctors or felt nearly as much anxiety as I do right now. 

[MSJ108]

cool man. good luck and you will be fine. you did your homework!