Referral needed or just straight to specialist?

[red81]

I've been living/dealing with mild gynecomastia since my teenage years.  Originally, I thought it was simply because I was overweight at the time; but my chest never seemed to go away.  I never really had a name for what this was (other than shame and embarrassment) until I went into the Navy at 20 years old and looked at my medical entry chart to read "mild gynecomastia".  I immediately did some research and became amazed at how many others like me have to deal with this issue.

I'm definitely considering surgery and would like to know if it is recommended to go see a general doctor and get a referral for a specialist, or should I simply find a doctor in the area who specializes in this area and seek them directly?  Does anyone know of a doctor to consult in the West Palm Beach, FL, (or nearby) area.  I don't really have the opportunity to travel a lot and take time off with the exception of necessary recovery time.  I'm definitely a little overweight (about 6'0" and 210 lbs) but gyne was definitely still present as I got down to 180 lbs in the Navy.  It never seems to go away.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Litlriki]

The only reason you'd need to see your PCP prior to seeing a specialist would be if your insurance covered the surgery and you were trying to go that route.  Most insurances don't cover it except in very limited circumstances, at least that's the case in Massachusetts.  Also, if you didn't know of a plastic surgeon, your PCP might have a recommendation. You're probably more likely to find someone through this forum, depending on how far you can go.  Good luck.

Rick Silverman