Positive experience of surgery with Dr. Karidis

[Journeys End]

Hi all,

I've used this forum as a source of hope and inspiration for so long, I want to try to give back a little of what this community has given me with some experiences of my surgery with Dr. Karidis. It is still early days as I had the surgery mid-September.

A little background about my situation and if you're just considering solutions to gynaecomastia, a little bit about my experiences of living with gynaecomastia for twenty years.

I'm 38 and I had lived with gynaecomastia since I was about sixteen. I've lived with all of the usual ‘solutions’, weight loss, constricting “Spanx for men” tank tops or Nike/Under Armour compression tops worn a few sizes too small.

In terms of the impact on my life, I have been reflecting on all the ways I’ve let gynaecomastia dictate how I have lived my life so far. I've missed out on a huge amount of experiences because it would have meant taking my shirt off, such as swimming in amazing places whilst travelling; beaches; hot climates where I’d overheat wearing a tight undershirt, to name a few. Last night I tried to explain to my partner how this has impacted my life, and it was just overwhelming the sheer volume of daily decisions and influences this has had on my life daily. She was unaware of what I would go through to wear a simple t-shirt or the panic that would grip me whilst packing for a work trip and realising my Spanx tops were in the laundry. Feelings such as the constant dejection of working hard in the gym and seeing any results ruined by my chest, such as having defined pecs ending in puffy nipples on a handful of fatty breast tissue. Even when wearing a compression vest or shirt, and looking normal, I could never feel happy with myself as I knew it was a 'lie' and just an image I was presenting to the World, not the real body I had.

I've competed in various sports most of my life and this has led to many uncomfortable situations. I love swimming, but hardly swim. I go to the gym daily but was like a hamster in a cage going around and around on a wheel, as no matter how defined I got I could never feel proud as wearing t-shirts or shirts without chest pockets, and all the usual tactics I’m sure many of you are familiar with. It has been incredibly demoralising. Previously I've dropped down to around 8% body fat whilst racing triathlons and this wasn't much better - just different. I looked very lean everywhere, except my nipples and the area around them were more pronounced than ever.

What I rarely discuss is there have been times I've reacted badly when pushed into a situation I was uncomfortable with - i.e. spending the day on the beach with a girlfriend and all her friends. My insecurities and lack confidence would put me on the defensive, feeling humiliated, and I struggled to explain why I didn't want to do that - often angrily. This wasn't the person I am, just frustration and shame. Now I've had the surgery, I'm reflecting on all the ways my life has changed and I feel so utterly relieved. I wish I'd asked for financial help sooner to afford the operation, but it's done. I've saved and paid for everything myself and I feel like I've got a new life.

I keep writing this in the present tense, as I'm still not used to this all being over. I'm sure many of you know these feelings. I've been fortunate that this has meant I've had long term girlfriends who I've built up trust with. My partner is the only person I've talked to with any degree of candidness. She is an incredible person and encouraged me to finally go ahead and get this resolved for my own self-confidence. I was never going to be able to come to terms with having gynaecomastia. I have a huge amount of respect for those who can be happy in their own skin. That, to me, is just so incredible and powerful. Maybe I'm too vain; maybe I'm not strong enough; but I knew surgery was the only option for me. The final straw for me was the birth of my son three months ago. I don't want my insecurity and inability to accept my gynaecomastia to impact on him. I don't want to miss out on taking him swimming, to the beach, surfing, etc.

If you're reading this forum, feeling dejected and think that those around you can't understand what you go through - this site has helped me so much to feel like there is a solution. I can only say - this surgery will change your life. Sacrifice, scrimp and save. If you feel a fraction of the way I have, don't waste your precious time missing out on life experiences and being the happy, confident person you could be.

I don't have any pre-surgery photos. I will ask Dr. Karidis if he could share with me the ones he took on the morning of the operation when I got marked up. I've always been deeply ashamed of my body, so I've just avoided pictures.

My initial appointment with Dr. Karidis was cursory, mainly because I had very few questions. I knew surgery was my only option as I had exhausted every other non-surgical avenue over the twenty years I've had this. Dr. Karidis confirmed that surgery was the only real solution and felt I should have a very good outcome. I had travelled to London for the appointment wearing a Spanx top under a shirt, and slipped into the bathroom in the hospital reception to remove it before my appointment so I wouldn't have to wriggle into, and out of, it in front of anyone. I remember thinking that I couldn't go on living like this.

I was given the quotation and contact details for any questions I had. Once I had paid the deposit, I got several documents of details; pre- and post-op procedures, and how to give yourself the best outcome.

On Thursday I went to the hospital and got checked in for my surgery. The mind is an amazing thing, and I felt incredibly self-conscious as though everyone was watching me and knew I had gynaecomastia. It was quite a humiliating morning as I knew my procedure would be written on all the forms, but everyone I interacted with was warm and friendly. I was shown to my room and nurses who worked with Dr. Karidis came in with my gown, DVT socks, and paperwork. They spoke highly of Dr. Karidis, and part of me felt good whilst the other part just felt sick and nervous.

Dr. Karidis marked me up. To the lay person, it seemed vague and just drawing rings around the fatty tissue - I guess that's the mark of genius as everything look so simple!

I walked down to the anaesthesia room with a nurse and the anaesthetist’s assistant started getting me ready. This was the only rough part of the day as he jokingly asked me what we were going for, "DDs?" I felt, in that moment, like all my insecurity and self-consciousness that everyone knew what I was doing at the hospital just come rushing out, but managed to smile wanly and get on with it. The anaesthetist came in and talked about what was going to happen, asked me a few things about my life and put me at ease. From then on, I was out for the count.

I awoke in recovery and had my blood pressure taken regularly. I don't really remember how my chest felt at that time, just that it was sore for the first day. After about thirty or forty minutes I was wheeled up to my room and a nurse got my mobile phone for me and discussed when it would be best for my partner to come and get me. I tried to sleep, but couldn't and just watched Netflix whilst waiting for the regular blood pressure checks. The cooling machine was on my chest all day, which helped numb things along with the painkillers.

I went home at 5pm and had a cab to my hotel. My partner and I went out for dinner with my infant so as I felt fine, but tender. I wanted to walk around a bit and avoid lying down all the time. This was good until we got seated at a noodle bar and, after manoeuvring the pushchair into place, etc., I had started to bleed through my shirt around the incision in my armpit. We quickly changed our order to a takeout and I went back to the hotel. The first night in the compression vest was okay. Sleeping on my back is foreign to me, but I don’t sleep a huge amount now with a three-month-old!

The next day I needed to change the dressings to the waterproof ones that were supplied by the hospital. I had a brief shower and peeled off the day-old dressing over the hole in my armpit, which had bled the night before. I started feeling light headed and sick after getting out of the shower and made it to the edge of the bed where I sat down. My partner said I leant forward as though I was putting my head between my legs, but just kept going, crashing to the floor. I'd fainted and took about ten seconds to came around. I had no recollection of what happened. I had pushed myself up onto all fours as soon as I came round and I can remember feeling as though I was incredibly drunk with no idea where I was. I had read about orthostatic hypotension in the post-op instructions from the clinic, but I felt I was out of the woods after the first 24 hours and it was never a concern. This was something I would really like to highlight to anyone having this surgery. I was taken aback by how quickly this had happened. One moment I was fine, then I felt sick and almost the next moment I had blacked out. If, like me, you’re prone to just crack on with things like normal, then heed this warning and do take it easy after surgery and have someone around.

Ironically I took a lot of skin off the back of my ear from a carpet burn as I fainted and hit the carpet. Four days after surgery this is probably more painful than my chest, to give you an idea of recovery times for the surgery! My partner and I agreed that I wouldn't hold my son unless I was sitting down, and we're only now moving away from that protocol.

Showering is getting easier and I can get t-shirts over my head. The first two days this was a bit painful, although not impossible to do. I’ve replaced the dressings on my armpits twice, and once on my nipples. They ones on my nipples didn't need replacing as they had remained stuck on but the adhesion of the dressings on my armpits seem to be quite critical of how you stick them on - presumably with so much joint movement. The holes through which Dr. Karidis worked are tiny - about the size of a felt pen dot. I'm really amazed at his skill and what he has done for me.

I've been religious about the arnica tablets and the compression vests. The vests are starting to get a bit irritating around the shoulders now, but it's a small inconvenience to optimise the healing. If you’ve worn Spanx tops for a long day, you’ll know the feeling of just wanting to get them off. I had an hour with the vest off last night, which was great. The bruising has started to dissipate a bit and go yellow. My chest is still a bit sore if I prod it or move too quickly and feels numb around my nipples when I changed the waterproof dressings, but is getting better every day.

I'm elated with how things are. I was worried my nipples would still be puffy after surgery or stretched and saggy after the gland was excised. I’m so pleased that they look like a normal person's nipples now. Each time I shower and get the compression vest off, I feel just so euphoric - I still can’t believe this albatross around my neck has been shed. I know things will change in the weeks and months to come until it all settles down, and I've still got scar tissue to deal with. Mentally, my image of my body is still re-forming and it is quite a leap as my pectorals are much smaller than I'm used to. As I understand it, they will fill out a little once I start reducing the compression vest usage after two weeks, and remove the vest completely after four weeks.

I could not be happier - I'm absolutely on cloud nine. As others have said, it is without a doubt worth the money. Dr. Karidis’ reputation has been well deserved in my experience so far. It gave me a huge amount of confidence to know this is such a routine operation for him as I had read experiences with other surgeons where people required corrective surgery. I felt that Dr. Karidis offered a certain level of peace of mind, knowing I would be in good hands – and that does seem to have been the case. I’m looking forward to going back for my six-week check-up and thanking him personally. I very highly recommend Dr. Karidis.

That’s it. If I can help anyone with information, please do ask as it would be my pleasure to help. Here’s a photo of me today, with the current level of bruising reducing each day. Here’s a photo of the skin coloured vest, and how it looks under an undershirt so you can see it is inconspicuous.

[Cristalis]

Hi

So far so good, it seems you got good results, keep up posted with pictures as you heal and time passes.
Im 40 now and like you i have gyno from the years of puberty. My story is almost the same, i have lots of years of gym under my belt, i didnt worked out last couple of years and got a little fat but in the pasted i had an athletic body but i never been happy with how i looked because my puffy and round area, women like areola destroyed all the looks for me.

Same on the beach, always self conscious, always aware of my areola and nipples, always pinching my nipple so to stimulate it and shrink it down or always staying in cold water so my chest looked more normal.

Always with my back bent when in t shirts and all the s..t that comes with the gyno. It destroyed my quality of life, it deprived me of good things that life has to offer.

Im from eastern part of europe and im considering surgery now for years but always afraid of the outcome as i have seen so many cases that look so bad. Afraid of exchanging gyno for something as bothersome or more bothersome than gyno. I seen cases whit indentions, ugly scar tissue that looked like gland tissue, craters and creases when ones move the arms around or flex their pecs hard.

I heard about <a class="underlinelink" href="https://www.gynecomastia.org/doctors/alexkaridis/profile">Dr. Karidis[/url] and im considering a consultation with him or travel to USA in NY area for a consultation with docs over there. Unfortunately money is a problems too as in my country salarys are very low. Even traveling to London and paying for a hotel for the consultation will cost me big bucks.

I heard good things about <a class="underlinelink" href="https://www.gynecomastia.org/doctors/alexkaridis/profile">Dr. Karidis[/url] but what bothers me is that he is so busy that i heard consultations are very fast and some feel they are rushed and the doc wont see you right after the surgery.

I have a few questions, did he listen to your needs? He sees you just after 6 weeks from the surgery? Does he handles his e-mails in person or his nurses handle them? Prior to make a decision to spend money and to travel so far for a consultation i would like to be answered a few questions by him.

Do you have any irregularities when moving your arms and flexing hard your chest? Do you have any pre op pics to show us how you looked before the surgery? Can you post some close up pics with the scars under the areola?

When you can see your self after the surgery, the day after? I mean without bandages and top naked.
How fast you can go for the surgery after the consultation? Do you need to wait a long period of time or it can be scheduled in a few days?

I will follow this thread and thank you for posting about your case and please keep us posted with new pictures and thanks in advance for your answers!

I really consider in getting in shape again and do this surgery, im 40 and unfortunately my young years have passed but i need to feel good in my skin.

Best regards and fast healing!

[Life's too short]

I am 14 weeks post op and just came back from holiday in spain. I was able to walk around in t shirts and vests, get changed in front of women (take off top). A year ago I went on holiday and had to weat t shirts everywhere with tightened vests underneath and I was sweating like a pig the whole time. Prior to my holiday I had also taken up swimming again for the first time in years.

For me it really worked out well! I was prepared for a really hard 6 months post op as heard a lot about the scar tissue thing.... but to be honest It has been a walk in the park. I guess for me the improvement was too much to be phased by tiny little lumps under the skin. I have also wondered what a "normal" chest should look like, I still have some flesh on my chest that if I hunched forward would stick out a bit... but I have noticed that no normal male chest is exactly flat... all guys with a normal bf % have flesh on their chest and if they hunch forward it sticks out a bit... I have this and it's normal. Karidis did say that it's not about what he takes out, but what he leaves behind... which sounds wise.

The only thing is there is still some minor swelling and under one nipple the skin is still a bit creased but I'm really not worried about it as it's still early in the healing process.

You almost forget about your old chest after a few months when it becomes normal to be comfortable with your chest... then you remember all the things you would NEVER have done that you do now had you not taken that leap for surgery. I feel like a normal guy... and after reading about revisions, guys unhappy about their ops etc. I'm so glad I bit the bullet and forked out 5 and a half grand for a top doc like Karidis who nailed it the first time.

[Cristalis]

@Life's too short, do you have any pre and post op pics? Is the crease big and can always be seen or just when moving and flexing chest? Please, if you can post some pics, thanks man!

[pharmacy2012]

Hi any updates guys? I am getting surgery next month hopefully from Dr. Karidis would u guys recommend him?

[Cristalis]

Original Poster didnt checked again his post, i dont know why they post if they dont follow their thread.

They probably dont even know they have the option to get notified by email if someone post something in here. I had all those questions and i dont have an answer. Im desperate to get rid of this gyno nightmare too but i want to make sure i make the right decision in choosing a surgeon. Unfortunately here in eastern Europe there is no big name in this domain so i maybe i need to travel to UK or US.

[pharmacy2012]

Hi mate I will be honest I didn't even know myself you could get email notifications lol

I am not sure about outside of the UK but I do know Dr. Karidis is one of the best in the UK... Expensive but something I am willing to invest in as it means that much too me.

[Life's too short]

Karidis is the best and most reputable, just check mine and the many many other reviews. He's worth the money. I have great results below before and 1 day post op. I don't have the time to take another more recent pic and upload it right now. I'm too busy living my enhanced quality of life and enjoying being normal. Feel free to check my previous posts and see my journey.

[Cristalis]

Thanks but you know that we cant see your posted pictures? You probably posted them on web site and just posted the link, it wont work. I have read your thread but there too i cant see any pictures!!

please attach them directly to this web site, you have the option. I get it that you are busy living the life but help out people that are in the same problem as you were. 2-3 pictures and a small post wont take more than 5 minutes. I really would like to see your under the areola scars, the crease you talked about and your chest when flexed. Help us out mate, its not an easy decision to just go for the surgery, well most of us are nervous about the outcome.

[Life's too short]

Attached, the crease is not to be mistaken with the incision scar. The incision scar is tiny, what happens as explained by the Dr is the swelling underneath the scar causes the skin to crease. Under the left areola is where I was most swollen after and it is still subsiding 3 and a half months post op. The right nipple areola was never really swollen. .

[Life's too short]

Pre op 

[Cristalis]

Thanks mate for your time and the pictures. What said the doc about this? Will the crease go away? Is it more obvious when you flex your chest?

[Life's too short]

Also just consider this was me 4 years ago when I was hugely overweight.. I think I've had miraculous results considering I used to be hugely overweight.

This is why my skin doesn't look perfect, I have lots of stretchmarks and elastic skin, but thankfully no loose hanging excess skin.

In fact the first guy I saw (Ravi Jain) said i may need skin removal. Karidis strongly dismissed this and I am so glad I trusted him because his experience really showed up an amateur like Ravi Jain. 

I suggest you read through the many other Karidis reviews here as well.

[Life's too short]

Thanks mate for your time and the pictures. What said the doc about this? Will the crease go away? Is it more obvious when you flex your chest?

Yes, creasing is mentioned in his notes. 


Furthermore, some creasing, indenting, puckering and uneven swelling may also arise. Do not panic! This is not the gyno returning! It is a natural healing response and will subside in the ensuing weeks to months.


From my extensive research in gyno surgery recovery, there is no point looking at creases or scars in the first 6 months after surgery because healing is a 6-9 month or longer process. Karidis' notes say many times that you need to be prepared for a long rollercoaster recovery where there are times it appears your chest is not even improving.

Seriously, it's nothing for me it is of no concern at all. I regularly go swimming, or topless with no worries. 

 I was prepared when I signed up to surgery my chest was going to look bad for 6 months because that is what they tell you. I'm actually delighted with the outcome.

You need to understand that if you want to have this surgery you WILL have either creased skin, swelling, or lumpy scar tissue build up or all three for the first 6 months. 

Think about the long term. 

[Cristalis]

Thank you so much for the info and your toughts on this matter.

 One more thing, how much you needed to wait from your consultation to your surgery? Is it days, weeks?