Getting surgery with an inexperienced surgeon

[Pooz]

I'll be getting surgery with a young(cute) surgeon that is very inexperienced with gyncomastia surgery. When I had my consultation, she seemed to know what she was talking about. The reason I'm getting the surgery with her is because it's free.

It seems like from what I read here, you guys make it seem to be like there's almost a guarantee something is going to end up going wrong with the surgery. Is this true? Do inexperienced surgeons that haven't done many gyno surgeries really struggle with it?

Pretty scared about going through with this and then end up being very dissatisfied with the end result.

[puffycurse]

Free? Inexperienced? I definitely would NOT take this offer. I don't think it's as easy as just cutting a slit and removing the gland. I'm pretty sure there's an art to this procedure in contouring the chest; and that is why I would take an experienced surgeon who I know won't screw up. I mean, if your surgeon messes up, you're going to eventually have to pay money for another surgery anyway. So, I would just wait and find a doctor that is perfect for the job.

[Pooz]

My insurance is covering it.

[puffycurse]

If your insurance if covering it, find a better surgeon; one who is experienced with this type of surgery.

[Pooz]

Look. My only option is this.

I go with this surgeon on the 31st, or I go without surgery for at least a year and a half.
I'll be going overseas for over a year very soon that has very nice beaches and hot weather.

So it's either
Option A:Risk it with this surgeon(free surgery) and hope she does a decent job
Option B:Wait a year and a half and suffer at my new location(once and a lifetime experience), not being able to go to the beaches ext.

What would you do?

[DrBermant]

I'll be getting surgery with a young(cute) surgeon that is very inexperienced with gyncomastia surgery. When I had my consultation, she seemed to know what she was talking about. The reason I'm getting the surgery with her is because it's free.

It seems like from what I read here, you guys make it seem to be like there's almost a guarantee something is going to end up going wrong with the surgery. Is this true? Do inexperienced surgeons that haven't done many gyno surgeries really struggle with it?

Pretty scared about going through with this and then end up being very dissatisfied with the end result.

Why not take some time and look at some of the horrific disasters I have seen after bad gynecomastia surgery to better understand why such a cavalier choice can lead to disaster. Seeing how tissues move is quite important. Looking OK for one or two still pictures, is nothing like looking good playing basketball, swimming, and enjoying life with your shirt off when you want. Check out my resources on

Crater Deformities
Puffy Nipple Complications
Extended Crater Deformity

to see some of the problems patients have asked for my help. Not all problems have solutions. Some are disfigured for life. Revision surgery is much more expensive. I have designed resources to learn how to pick a gynecomastia surgeon that are based on pictures of their experience. Otherwise you are gambling. This is your body and choices can affect the rest of your life. So learn and understand risks before choosing.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, M.D.

[Pooz]

I'll be getting surgery with a young(cute) surgeon that is very inexperienced with gyncomastia surgery. When I had my consultation, she seemed to know what she was talking about. The reason I'm getting the surgery with her is because it's free.

It seems like from what I read here, you guys make it seem to be like there's almost a guarantee something is going to end up going wrong with the surgery. Is this true? Do inexperienced surgeons that haven't done many gyno surgeries really struggle with it?

Pretty scared about going through with this and then end up being very dissatisfied with the end result.

Why not take some time and look at some of the horrific disasters I have seen after bad gynecomastia surgery to better understand why such a cavalier choice can lead to disaster. Seeing how tissues move is quite important. Looking OK for one or two still pictures, is nothing like looking good playing basketball, swimming, and enjoying life with your shirt off when you want. Check out my resources on

Crater Deformities
Puffy Nipple Complications
Extended Crater Deformity

to see some of the problems patients have asked for my help. Not all problems have solutions. Some are disfigured for life. Revision surgery is much more expensive. I have designed resources to learn how to pick a gynecomastia surgeon that are based on pictures of their experience. Otherwise you are gambling. This is your body and choices can affect the rest of your life. So learn and understand risks before choosing.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, M.D.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm willing to take the gamble and go with the surgery, rather than hold off for another year and a half.

[morpheus11]

good luck with your choice. Because you are going with it, why don't you ask her really specific questions. Ask her about sedation, recovery, and maybe most importantly, her technique.  How does she plan on fixing this condition?  Is she going to just remove the gland, or do liposuction as well? 

As I said, good luck, and do keep us posted.

[kwl04]

I go with this surgeon on the 31st, or I go without surgery for at least a year and a half.
I'll be going overseas for over a year very soon that has very nice beaches and hot weather.

So it's either
Option A:Risk it with this surgeon(free surgery) and hope she does a decent job
Option B:Wait a year and a half and suffer at my new location(once and a lifetime experience), not being able to go to the beaches ext.

What would you do?

If she or anyone else does a bad job on you, you still won't be able to take your shirt off b/c your chest won't look right anyways.  Ever think of that?  There's a pic of 17 year old that didn't have a very good result. I feel awful for this guy.  I bet he's not taking his shirt off now even after the surgery. 

My opinion:
I would wait, go with a pro Dr. and give myself the best chance for a good outcome...........no question about it.  The beach can wait a little longer. 

Please post before/after pics so we can follow your story.  Good luck to you!

[Pooz]

Like I said. It's a gamble I'm willing to take.
I'll be sure to post before and afters

[sawyer]

Look. My only option is this.

I go with this surgeon on the 31st, or I go without surgery for at least a year and a half.
I'll be going overseas for over a year very soon that has very nice beaches and hot weather.

So it's either
Option A:Risk it with this surgeon(free surgery) and hope she does a decent job
Option B:Wait a year and a half and suffer at my new location(once and a lifetime experience), not being able to go to the beaches ext.

What would you do?

when are you off overseas? will it give you enough time to recover anyway?
it's a tempting dilemma, but i wouldn't even bother.. you've suffered this long, why not wait abit longer? there's countless people that rush into the free option only to come back a year or so later and pay the same price and still have a messed up chest because of an inexperienced surgeon.
you can't really put a price on decent results

[Pooz]

Look. My only option is this.

I go with this surgeon on the 31st, or I go without surgery for at least a year and a half.
I'll be going overseas for over a year very soon that has very nice beaches and hot weather.

So it's either
Option A:Risk it with this surgeon(free surgery) and hope she does a decent job
Option B:Wait a year and a half and suffer at my new location(once and a lifetime experience), not being able to go to the beaches ext.

What would you do?

when are you off overseas? will it give you enough time to recover anyway?
it's a tempting dilemma, but i wouldn't even bother.. you've suffered this long, why not wait abit longer? there's countless people that rush into the free option only to come back a year or so later and pay the same price and still have a messed up chest because of an inexperienced surgeon.
you can't really put a price on decent results

I'll have a month of time between the surgery and going overseas.
I'm not saying she's a bad surgeon, just inexperienced with gynecomastia surgery. The reason I'm getting the surgery free has nothing to do with the quality.

[sawyer]

fair enough, i was just going on what you said in your first post.
what's your reason for going with her and not a more experienced one?
and a month after the surgery? you'll still be recovering and definitely won't be exposing your chest to the sun.
whats the situation with going overseas? did you book it yourself? can't you postpone it?

[DrBermant]

I'll have a month of time between the surgery and going overseas.
I'm not saying she's a bad surgeon, just inexperienced with gynecomastia surgery. The reason I'm getting the surgery free has nothing to do with the quality.

What type of surgeon is your doctor? Is she board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? What is the mechanism of the free surgery? If you are planning to offer testimonials, any member of the major Plastic Surgery Societies is forbidden to offer free or discounts for surgery and get testimonials. It is a breach of ethics violation can can result in sanctions.

If free is for coverage such as military surgeons, or covered by insurance plans. The same issues go about scrutiny of results. No cases to show => gamble. I have seen so many unhappy patients after such misadventures. One of the latest was from a military surgeon who did not know to wait until the problem stabilized. Of course the surgery did not prevent the continued breast growth and breasts bigger after surgery than before surgery. A surgical deformity, bigger breasts than before the operation, and scars to contend with. These are all issues of judgement, which comes from experience.

Does the surgeon have credentials to offer that surgery in the hospital? Some bypass peer scrutiny and do things in their offices. If not a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or not credentialed, then you really are taking a monster gamble. I have seen cases that the patient were nearly killed by incompetent doctors who had no business offering surgery. Examples of bad results I have seen included Gynecologists, Otolaryngologists (Ears Nose Throat), Radiologists, Emergency Room Physicians, Family Practice doctors, are but a few.

There are many other factors that go into the selection of a gynecomastia surgeon.

Good luck on you plans.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, M.D.

[Pooz]

I'll have a month of time between the surgery and going overseas.
I'm not saying she's a bad surgeon, just inexperienced with gynecomastia surgery. The reason I'm getting the surgery free has nothing to do with the quality.

What type of surgeon is your doctor? Is she board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? What is the mechanism of the free surgery? If you are planning to offer testimonials, any member of the major Plastic Surgery Societies is forbidden to offer free or discounts for surgery and get testimonials. It is a breach of ethics violation can can result in sanctions.

If free is for coverage such as military surgeons, or covered by insurance plans. The same issues go about scrutiny of results. No cases to show => gamble. I have seen so many unhappy patients after such misadventures. One of the latest was from a military surgeon who did not know to wait until the problem stabilized. Of course the surgery did not prevent the continued breast growth and breasts bigger after surgery than before surgery. A surgical deformity, bigger breasts than before the operation, and scars to contend with. These are all issues of judgement, which comes from experience.

Does the surgeon have credentials to offer that surgery in the hospital? Some bypass peer scrutiny and do things in their offices. If not a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or not credentialed, then you really are taking a monster gamble. I have seen cases that the patient were nearly killed by incompetent doctors who had no business offering surgery. Examples of bad results I have seen included Gynecologists, Otolaryngologists (Ears Nose Throat), Radiologists, Emergency Room Physicians, Family Practice doctors, are but a few.

There are many other factors that go into the selection of a gynecomastia surgeon.

Good luck on you plans.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, M.D.

It's covered because I'm in the military. She is not a military surgeon.
 They gave me the referral to the plastic surgeon that I'm going with.
I could've spent time looking for my choice of a surgeon instead, but found out I got orders, so I need to get the surgery sooner than expected.
Yes, she is board certified by the American board of plastic surgery.