Help, Dont Know What to Do nemore.. Help Please..

[help116]

I am a 17 year old male, and i have gynecomastia. I went to a plastice surgeon already and he has also had told me i had it.  so we find out that the surgery is going to cost 6500$. and my father is a single parent so he doesnt have the money...  but there was hope at the end of the tunnel, he said to call the bank to see if we were apporved for a load.  we did and we were denied.   So i really dont know what to do nemore, it seems like there isnt any hope for me anymore, and summer is coming up, and i wantd to actually swim in the ocean. and what makes it worse, that is im not fat at all, im althletic. im 5'10, 150 lbs.  so makes it very noticable.  it seems life is not worth living anymore to be honest.  im am at the end of my rope, and about to give up on myself..  so i would like some advice/guidance on this.  What i should do for the cost of surgery? i live in NJ, any good docs with payment plans??   PLease help me.. idk what to do nemore..

[tonysoprano]

Hey dude. I hear you

first thing you need to do is get some emotional support. maybe a school counsellor (even though gynes prob not something you wanna discuss openly) or a shrink , if thats affordable.

Also maybe a part-time job for you to start saving some dough. even one or two days a weekcould help with your savings plan.

DEFINITELY see other ps's. that quote seems really high to me. Travel a while if you have to. It may work out cheaper.

And one more summer hiding your gyne aint gonna kill you. spend a bit more time getting the $$ together, doing research, finding the right surgeon, and making sure everything is done properly, so that your ready to enjoy the rest of your life, rather than rushing everything just to make it in time for this summer,and risking complications.

goodluck.

ps. Just to put things in perspective, take a look at pics on this site, and note peoples ages, to give you an idea of how badly some people have it, and how people in their 30s,40s,50s are still waiting to experience their first gyne-free summer.

keep us posted

[usernameX]

Yeah I hear you budd. Gyno just sucks. If it was a person oh boy would it get the beating of its life. Like tony said, waisting one more summer hiding it wont kill you. And 6500 does sound a bit too much. Try getting other prices from different PSs. Here in Ontario Canada we have a health plan that pays for most of the operation. But im not sure if there are any companies like that in the US assuming you live there. Sorry to hear about your financial situation as my mom is also financially strapped. There is a light at the end of your tunnel budd...just keep going. You will reach it eventually. Try getting a job this year. Construction makes a hell of alot money, by the end of the summer you will definitly have enough cash to pay for the op. Plus some spending money. Just keep fighting man...

[Blarneystoner]

mine was 4,000 dollars

[Grandpa Bambu]

summer = no school

$7 (an hour) x 40 (hours a week) x 8 (weeks) = $2,240 (and you're well on your way)

You're forgetting about Uncle Sam! He'll be taking his cut Dude...  :-/

John.

[Grandpa Bambu]

lol...true but for the sake of argument lets just say he finds a job for around $8.50 an hour

John.

[Paa_Paw]

Nothing in your original post would give any indication how bad your situation really is.  

Gynecomastia could be simply puffy nipples, fatty enlargement due to obesity, or fully formed breasts.  It would help to know just what kind of condition you are dealing with.

You mentioned having seen a Surgeon, but did not give any indication how you made that contact.  Were you referred to the Surgeon by another Doctor?  If not, the best thing would be to start over with a visit to your family Doctor.  Then a referral to an Endocrinologist may be in order.  Finally, a referral to a Surgeon.  Do not skip any steps, as it is important that the underlying cause of the gynecomastia is understood and dealt with before surgery.

If your father has Medical Insurance, there are ways to get the insurance to cover the cost.  

Going to the Surgeon first is somewhat like contacting a garage about a major overhaul for a car that has quit without first checking to see if there is any gas in the tank.  Of course the mechanic will do an overhaul for you.

Your height and weight would tend to rule out the fatty breast issue, but there are still a number of other things to study before you are ready for surgery.  

For example, even if you are otherwise lean, you have some fat,  How is it deposited?  How fully are you through puberty?  Do any other men in your family (on either side) have Gynecomastia?  The condition does run in some families but may not be known to you unless you ask because the men having it keep it hidden.

If you are still in puberty, there is a chance that it may resolve without surgery.  If you have reached adult stature and have pretty much finished puberty, there is very little chance of self resolution.  Here again, Family medical history will give you an idea what to expect.

Don't panic, You'll get through this.  It did not appear overnight, and it will also take a bit of time to get rid of it.

Most important, do whatever it takes to keep your self image positive.  What is on your chest is less important that what is going on between your ears.

An earlier reply mentioned a summer job.  I think that is a great idea.  Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.

Other replies indicated that the price quoted for surgery was rather high.  I agree.

You know where we are, Keep in touch.

Good luck.

[bassplayer]

im 16 i got the same problem does your dad have insurance? is so u said u cant take it anymore. Go see someone who will tell the insurance that the gyn is life threatning and psychological pain and all that good stuff throw suicide in there i bet the insurance will cover it then

[Paa_Paw]

Bassplayer is right on the mark!

A visit with a Psychologist can often be a great help in getting coverage from an otherwise reluctant insurance company.

[bassplayer]

Bassplayer is right on the mark!

A visit with a Psychologist can often be a great help in getting coverage from an otherwise reluctant insurance company.