How bad? Bra bad, really bad...25 years and ready to correct

[resolution]

Hello everyone... Great board, newly discovered for me. I'm in San Francisco and I've recently decided to consult a PS about my gyne, appointment on 9/4/07. I've never really spoken to anyone about it (professional or non-professional).

It started when I was about 12 or 13 and I got mistaken for a 'daughter' a lot. That really upset me and started the self conscious spiral. I always cut gym class or just refused to participate to avoid ridicule. I began gaining weight (not intentionally) and, wow, it masked the gyne a bit. Weight gain evolved into an ok thing for me because it meant that I did not have titties, I was just fat. Fast forward to 19 years old: I weighed 180 at 5'6", carrying most of the bulk in my upper body. For all of the years up to here I never took my shirt off to swim, never wore tight clothing, wore big jackets in the summer, and did everything I could to mask the gyne.

At 20 I was tired of being fat and hit the gym, getting into the best shape of my life, weighing in at 160 lbs with 17% body fat. The really messed up thing is that I cannot remember being without the gyne and not having this issue in my head. Translated: body dismorphic disorder. To this day I don' t feel like or recall memories of my chest while I was in shape, it's like I blocked it out. I remember my abs, my legs, arms, etc., and I have only a couple of pictures to look at but they're not the best angles for judging how my gyne looked (if there). This concerns me a bit. Also - I'm referring to it as gyne even though never diagnosed.

By age 24 I was back up to 185 lbs, now noticing the breasts again. (When they weren't there, if that was the case, I ignored that area of my body. Although, I do truly believe they were there and I played mind games on myself). Fast forward to age 38, present day, and I weigh in at 211 lbs, still standing 5'6". I have major breasts, larger than some women at my office, again I don't wear tight clothing, and self conscious about windy days, pools, hot tubs, etc. but manage to get through it ok because I'm so tired of this. I want to enjoy my life without this always on my mind.

My decision to see a PS is in part due to stories I've seen on tv and internet, and what I've found here. My first goal is to lose weight again, getting back to at most 170-175 lbs and <20% body fat, which I estimate will take approximately 7-8 months with diet and exercise. In the interim, I'm researching gynecomastia to learn everything I can about it, consulting a PS, and looking forward to the freedom a masculine chest will give to me both physically (vanity) and psychologically, whether by exercise or by surgery. I do hold out a tiny bit of hope that the gyne will disappear when I reach my target weight, but not holding my breath. The PS (and lots of you here) will have words to offer.

Ok - enough babble... I took some pics to establish a starting point for myself, to see (prove) the progress, and partly to help others in my situation. My pics below tell the story...

Comments, replies, guidance and suggestions are welcome so please.. humor me.     

[unknownman]

we are in the same boat dude I weigh about 150  and I have a pointy chest like yours you can see my pics on this forum   im going to tell the surgeon remove the gland and  do the lipo I suggest you do the same

[GynO_DuDe]

My chest was very similar to yours... And now its corrected.

Good luck to you.

[resolution]

So I had a consultation this morning and the Dr. Confirmed it's gyne, mixed with fat. On the larger end and will require lipo and excision. Small concern about asymetry, but that's better for me to deal with than the gyne. Doesn't think any skin needs removal and that it will shrink down to fit. 2 1/2-3 hour procedure, outpatient, general anesthesia, $5500.

Now I want to get it done immediately but I promised myself I would get down to 170-175 pounds first. Looking at March '08. I'm so motivated. Wish I didn't wait so long to seriously consider it.

Has anyone had experience with with qualifying at any of the medical elective financing companies out there; specifically, Reliance Mediacal Finance, American Benefit Finance Credit, or MedProva Patient Funding?

[ddaavviiddd]

I actually had my surgery in san fran and my doctor was delgado,   i recomend him,  he is the best,   The owner of this site went to him also

[outertrial]

Thats a bad case bro. Good luck with your weight loss, it will make your surgery turn out better.

[BigLouJr]

reduce body weight first.