Anyone had skin reduction?

[floppies]

Given the size of my mammeries (photos in the photo section), I believe I'm going to need skin reduction as well.  A couple of doctors have suggested this will be likely.  The choice I have to make is; 1) Do I get the skin reduction at time of surgery, or 2) Wait for 6 months to see how the skin tightens.  Any views or experience of this would be much appreciated.

I'm single again, seeing other women, live in a hot country (Australia) and being embarrassed to take your shirt off has gotten the better of me.  I'll either get the surgery here in Australia (safest bet), take a month in Thailand (cheapest bet), or perhaps to one of the very skilled surgeons in the States (most expensive bet)who have done this procedure many times.

I'm totally sick of having boobs and cant believe I've tolerated them this long.  Not being able to wear light t-shirts.  Finding myself buying clothes where my boobs dictate what I buy. Avoiding doing anything that involves taking my shirt off. And now, the utter embarrassment of taking my shirt off in front of a girlfriend and finding I have bigger boobs than her.  However, being honest, I have found women appear to hardly notice them.  Perhaps they are sparing my embarrassment.  For me, as a man, it is just plain wrong and abnormal to have boobs. I hate them so much and am looking forward to finally having surgery.  It can't come quick enough.


This is a great Forum that I have only recently discovered.  Like all sufferers of this embarrassing and humiliating condition, we have coped with it in silence.  Too embarrassing to talk about despite the significant impact it has had on our lives.  It has been hugely therapeutic reading the posts and advice. 

I'll keep you guys posted on my progress.  I hope to have the surgery done next month (October).  I'm pretty comfortable with a surgeon here in Perth, Western Australia (AU$8000).  I received a few quotes from Thai clinics (Average AU$5000).  I'm going to Thailand for a month so thought I'd combine a holiday and surgery!  I have also contacted a very experienced Gynecomastia surgeon in New York (US$9000).  I am seriously considering this surgeon due to his prompt and detailed response to my enquiry.  He is clearly and expert and specialises in this procedure.  I just have to factor in the additional costs of flying around the world (airfares and accommodation).  He replied to me personally with  lengthy, specific, and informative advice.  Bloody impressive.  If I lived in NY I would have booked in immediately, and may still do.
 
Anyway, I'm warbling and will finish up. Actually discussing this subject openly is very helpful and beneficial for me.
Cheers,
Steve

[floppies]

Since posting this I've received some sound advice.

The scarring is much more noticeable with skin tightening.  Better to go for just the lipo/excision to reduce chest size then wait to see what it looks like.  Your'e not burning any bridges by waiting and can always have it done if still not happy with the look.  The trade off, as I said, is the scars, which may draw even more looks than the excess tissue.

[Benign]

Hey Steve. I'm from Victoria Australia and plan to get surgery over the next couple months. Your story, as a lot of the other stories here, really hit home with me. I'm only 20 and I regret not doing this surgery sooner (would've allowed me to have a more normal childhood), but I can't imagine how much worse it must be for you

stay strong!

[floppies]

I'm so glad you are dealing with this now, benign.  I still cant believe I have endured it this long.  It has had a big impact on my life. 

I suppose the fact I was married for 26 years lessened the need to get it done as my wife was accepting but the avoiding pool gatherings, self consciousness on the beach, and clothes just not hanging right on you really got me down.  Anyway, I have chosen Tim Hewitt, a plastic surgeon in Perth, to do the procedure for me. 

Hopefully getting it done on 29 October.  Then off to Thailand for a month to recuperate.  Because of the length of time I have had enlarged breasts and my age (55) I am concerned about the excess skin, which will involve scarring if I get it removed.

[hammer]

I have nothing to add about the surgery other then, I wish you the best of luck!

I wanted to say that I was in Pirth in March of 1982 when I was in the US Navy! In fact it was my last port of call as well! We add spent 57 days out at sea before pulling into port (Freemantle) I believe was the actual port but I spent all my time in Perth, I had duty the last day at the last port so giving a three day rotation I had two days of unrestricted liberty there in your home land! We spent 8 days there in total and I will say, I have been many places, and is would have to say that Australia tops them all!

After that we went to Diago Garcia that little island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and I got on a C130 the next day and flow back to the states.


Bob

[thetodd]

Im glad your not getting it done in Thailand.

Do you really need to go there to recuperate? I know your living in Oz but post op you have to wear a compression vest its going to be really uncomfortable wearing it on holiday your best off at home to be honest. Being post op is a pain in the arse, you dont feel good and its pretty depressing its hard to explain but the last place you want to be in is a foreign country.

Im not sure if i agree with getting the surgery done and seeing if there is any excess skin because to be honest, at 55 you are going to probably going to have excess skin. Then its more money and more time to get the skin reduction done. Maybe you should ask an impartial surgeon on here.

There will be visibile scaring from skin reduction yes, but if you go to a decent surgeon your going to have the best result. If your not locked into going to the surgeon in Perth, id seriously consider talking to one of the specialist surgeons in NY. From what ive seen in the past Dr Bermant is especially good at skin reduction.

[floppies]

Thanks for your comments Bob and ‘thetodd’.

Yeah, Australia is not a bad place, Bob.  I’m actually an immigrant and came here from the UK (I’m Scottish) in 1991.  I live in the remote NW of Australia - 2 hrs flight north of Perth – as a Prison Guard.  Great environment to have a wobbly chest.  NOT!  Also the climate we have here encourages one to take his shirt off, which I wouldn’t dare in public. 

The compression vest is definitely going to be a nuisance.  I’ve got annual leave from 21 Oct onwards for 8 weeks and had planned to visit Asia.  I thought being away on hols would distract me from the vest.  I planned on sipping cocktails around the pool (with a shirt on) and then lounging in an air conditioned hotel room watching new releases if it gets too hot.  It would bore the bejesus out of me being at home.  I plan to stay in Oz for a few days until the surgeon gives me the all-clear to travel.

The excess skin thing is looming more and more in my mind.  I chatted to the surgeon, Tim Hewitt, on the phone and his preference is to let the skin settle for 6 months or so then make a decision.  However, you make very valid points, Thetodd, re the likelihood of excess skin at my age and the extra cost/inconvenience of going under the knife again.   I just don’t know what to do but will probably go with the surgeon’s advice.  It’s also such a long way from Perth to get to NY and stay there for a few days after surgery.  I estimated it would add about another $6,000(AU) to my overall bill.  Oh, decisions, decisions.  Why couldn’t God have given me an extra large penis instead of these horrible breasts!!!  What a bum rap.  Not that there is anything wrong with my penis size, I’d just like to add.  Anyway, I digress.  The trade off with skin reduction is the scarring.  Does anyone know where I can view pics of guys who have actually had skin reduction done? 

Best wishes,

Steve

[hammer]

I think Dr. Jacobs has some on site picture gallery, I just going by memory from some post.