Author Topic: Need a little advice. (Video included)  (Read 1614 times)

Offline GynoThrowaway

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I would first like to express that I am very anxious about sharing this, as i'm sure most people are. Attached is a video (link found at the end of the post)

For the sake of accessibility, I will convert the units of all figures used. 

Over a year ago, around November 2014, I weighed 115 kilos (250 pounds or 18 stone). Since that time I have lost 45 kilos (100 pounds or 7 stone). 

Through a combination of diet and exercise, I now weigh 70 kilos (154 pounds or 11 stone). My height is 177cm (5ft8 or 70 inches), and I am now 19 years old. This brings my BMI to about 23.

During the weight loss, it has become evident that I now have gynecomastia. Through my efforts of attempting to lose more weight, under the notion it was just stubborn fat tissue, I have come to realise what I have is glandular.

After a few months of debating with myself over what I should do, I went to see my GP. He referred me to the local hospitals breast clinic to understand whether there was an underlying cause to such condition. At the breast clinic, I had an ultrasound where it was confirmed that I had 'severe glandular gynecomastia'. In brief, the doctor noted that my chest had very little actual fat, and that any attempts at losing more weight would not work. He stated that the gynecomastia may have been brought on by puberty or being previously obese, which is probably more likely. He concluded that because I am still young, the gland may shrink slowly.

I left the clinic, and still unconvinced, I contacted my local GP and requested a blood test. The blood test revealed that all my hormones were normal, apart from 'lactin' which was slightly above normal for my age at 319 (unsure of units, he told me that under 300 was the normal range). I was told to schedule another blood test in a few weeks in order to see if this number fluctuates, and if it remained constant, he would refer me back to the breast clinic.

I currently live in the UK, and this is currently being provided by the NHS. After reading some material about gynecomastias surgery and it's relationship with the NHS, I am doubtful that I would be offered it under the NHS - and if so, I am even more doubtful whether I should take it.

Now my story takes a more morbid turn. I have been very depressed with my issue for quite some time. The Summer is upcoming, and then I am off to university. This poses many different issues for me personally, which i'm sure you are able to empathise with.

I come asking a few questions:

1) Should I lose more weight and build muscle? 
The attached video shows that with my pronounced gynecomastia, my belly is seriously abnormal. This is another serious issue for me. Of course some 'belly-flap' is normal after such extreme weight loss, but I am still concerned - in a similar way to the gynecomastia - that is will affect my quality of life at university and thereafter. Looking at the video, would you say that this is severe? Would it be helped with further weight loss and ab work? I'm unsure.

2) How bad might scarring be with surgery? 
I understand that my gynecomastia is quite severe, and so I am quite reluctant to undergo surgery with the results being heavily compromised by my scarring as a result of excess skin. After the weight loss, my skin around my chest has become quite elastic (and in some parts, showing signs of sag). Will this be another issue I am going to have to contemplate?

3) Am I being too critical?
In some circumstances, one is their own best judge. I have seen many people expressing the opinion that one's self should make the decision whether or not they should have surgery based on their feeling toward their condition. I do not share the same opinion.
For someone who is ultra-crtical of themselves, I need an opinion regarding my opinion (if that makes sense). Am I being too critical regarding the gynecomastia? Am I being too critical regarding my belly?

I understand that I can still become more fit. I will try do this over the Summer. Apart from that, thank-you for listening and here is the video: https://vid.me/RXVw

Offline Paa_Paw

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I'll take your word for it.  I am running Lennox instead of Windows and not many videos will download.  The good in that is that I am pretty much immune to a lot of malware. 
Your case is not at all unusual,  Fat cells are where a process (Aromatase) takes place where Testosterone is converted into Estrogen.  That would account for the breat tissue growth while you were severly obese.
What you have heard is totally true, You cannot lose what is left simply by dieting.  Oddly, when the remaining Breast tissue is perched atop a well defined Pectoral Muscle, it would be even more obvious so until the excess breast tissue is removed, I would not recomment any body building.
I am in the US, I really do not know what your medical benefits are like there, but unless you can get a qualified cosmetic surgeon or at least some one with a reputation for this kind of surgery, I would keep hunting for the right surgeon.
All surgery leaves some scars, but a skilled surgeon will hide the scar in the margins around the areola.  Healing itself is very individual and I am blessed to be a person who heals well in spite of my 78 years. You have youth on your side, that helps minimize scarring.  Having been obese, your skin may have stretched beyond its ability to shrink back after the surgery.  If that is true, skin reduction may be needed and with it, larger scars. Still though the main variable is how well you as an individual heal.
Talk to a few surgeons, look at some pictures, before and after, of people with breasts resembling yours. 
Take your time, I know that the summer will soon be here, but it would be better to put the surgery off a year than to act out of desperation and act unwisely. 
Grandpa Dan

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From what I see, your problem(s) seem to be mostly loose skin from being obese. Yes, there is gland present, but if the skin on your chest was tight, that small amount of gyno may not even be noticeable.
Just out of curiosity, what made you suddenly become critical of yourself? You seem to have spent significant time not caring and packing on weight (unless it was a medical issue).
Until the last 2 years, I was never the slightest bit critical of myself, I have never worked out and I had a decent (pretty average) body that I was satisfied with. However, over the years, my metabolism changed, and I had to adjust my diet to keep from gaining weight. For me, a healthy weight was always important for overall health - and it had the benefit of keeping me looking semi-decent.
No matter though, idiopathic gyno got me anyway. I'm as healthy as a person 20 years younger and take zero meds (mid 50's), yet I'm growing boobs and no doctor has been able to say why. I am quite sure I am going to end up D cup or better (based on 2 years growth), but surgery for me is WAY down the list.
Sure, I can't take off my shirt in public, but neither would I be able to after major surgery. At this point I just don't see the value in getting carved up for cosmetic reasons.
Seriously, whether to pursue surgery is entirely up to you. Unless you are planning to become a model, very few people will look that closely at your body, so that's something to consider.
Bummed and his $0.02 or 1.5 pence (roughly)


 

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