I need some serious advice

[Mibu]

I have pretty serious gynecomastia. I think serious enough where my insurance might cover it. I am 24,  5.11, 205 and I work out tons, but yet I have almost like B cup size breasts, they totally look almost like womens breasts. They stick out more than my stomach does for sure. I am very uncomfortable without a shirt due to it. I feel like this condition keeps me celibate, and even though I am not a bad looking guy, I feel like I cannot get sex due to this issue. I have to dress differently, I can't wear tight tshirts or thin tshirts due to this issue, it is very psychologically devastating. I haven't had sex with a woman in over one year.

I have been seeing multiple specialists and will know soon enough if they can cover it for me. I think they will, to me and to them it does seem that serious. But to my therapist, (which he has never seen me without a shirt) he says that he has seen too many people suffer from plastic surgery like liposuction. And that he thinks it's unnecessary and that women don't care (I believe he's very wrong there because I live in Los Angeles probably the most shallow city in the world).

He also believes that I can lose the extra fat there just by working out more. I bench press, 2x a week, and have lost 20 pounds in the last few months. And I have also been at 185 before, and yet I still had the boobs back then.  Though I dont remember if they were actually smaller then, but right now they bother me a lot. What do you think though. Is my therapist right or wrong. Can I really get rid of it through exercise (this sounds a bit ignorant to me). And do women really not care (this sounds wrong too). But either way feel free to share your opinion.

[Paa_Paw]

From what you wrote, your therapist is remarkably ignorant when it comes to the issue of Gynecomastia and the benefits of cosmetic surgery. Simply finding a more understanding and knowledgeable therapist may be a great help.

What you have said about clothing applies to us all. There are a variety of compression garments that can be of great help.

Weight loss and conditioning can be issues but rarely will weight loss have a significant impact upon the breast area. It would seem that the breast area is the first place where we gain fat and the last where we are likely to lose it. Physical condition can actually be a problem because we have heard from some that the breast actually appears larger when perched atop a well developed muscle.

There are some rather superficial females who might be put off by your breasts, but for most of the girls that are worth knowing it is not an issue. The girls, wisely, are more concerned with what is going on between your ears than what is on your chest.

Here, you are among friends. We have all had to deal with this ourselves and we know what you are going through.


Welcome.

[Rojan]

What you believe is what matters! Keep your therapist out of this (not helping) instead talk to us (people with experience like me)

I've never seen a therapist about mine...but I understand your anxiety and fears...I'm 24 as well, and had my surgery done a month ago.

Prime Concern: Coverage by Health Insurance!
Under no circumstance mention cosmetic or you don't like the way it looks, etc. Stick to the Medical side such as: it constantly irritates you when is too hot or cold, very uncomfortable medically speaking then you should get 100% coverage.

Second Concern: Pseudo Gynecomastia (Treated with Exercise - None Surgically) VS  Gynecomastia (Treated only with Surgery)
According to your results: Exercises have fail to treat the problem permanently. In other words Pseudo Gynecomastia. doesn't work for you.
Gynecomastia Surgery Should be able to treat the problem permanently tough everything else has fail.

Conclusion: Like everything in life there are risks involved. To potentially minimize the risks to ZERO "0" get 2ND and 3RD Opinions till most make sense (take your time.)
I can't stress enough to make sure the surgeon you will select has a vast experience in gynecomastia at least performing 2-3 surgeries a week. He has to be certified.
He has to explain to detail what and how the procedure will be done and most of all the results (appearance). Time of recovery, wearing a tight garment,etc.

***A must*** Ask your surgeon for pictures before and after of previous patients to see if you can relate to any and if the results are even, proportionate (almost like natural) or what you expect.

Remember is your body you are going to have to live with it.

Any questions or concerns feel more than free to reach me....I'm not an expert but I have experience from my gynecomastia Surgery!   

[texastoast88]

What you believe is what matters! Keep your therapist out of this (not helping) instead talk to us (people with experience like me)

I've never seen a therapist about mine...but I understand your anxiety and fears...I'm 24 as well, and had my surgery done a month ago.

Prime Concern: Coverage by Health Insurance!
Under no circumstance mention cosmetic or you don't like the way it looks, etc. Stick to the Medical side such as: it constantly irritates you when is too hot or cold, very uncomfortable medically speaking then you should get 100% coverage.

Second Concern: Pseudo Gynecomastia (Treated with Exercise - None Surgically) VS  Gynecomastia (Treated only with Surgery)
According to your results: Exercises have fail to treat the problem permanently. In other words Pseudo Gynecomastia. doesn't work for you.
Gynecomastia Surgery Should be able to treat the problem permanently tough everything else has fail.

Conclusion: Like everything in life there are risks involved. To potentially minimize the risks to ZERO "0" get 2ND and 3RD Opinions till most make sense (take your time.)
I can't stress enough to make sure the surgeon you will select has a vast experience in gynecomastia at least performing 2-3 surgeries a week. He has to be certified.
He has to explain to detail what and how the procedure will be done and most of all the results (appearance). Time of recovery, wearing a tight garment,etc.

***A must*** Ask your surgeon for pictures before and after of previous patients to see if you can relate to any and if the results are even, proportionate (almost like natural) or what you expect.

Remember is your body you are going to have to live with it.

Any questions or concerns feel more than free to reach me....I'm not an expert but I have experience from my gynecomastia Surgery!   

Great  advice. I'm about to get my consult and was worried about what to ask/say to aid in convincing insurance to help out. Thanks a ton.