Excellent forum

[Gasman]

I discovered this forum by chance and have to admit to being quite impressed by it. Altough I have become a member, it's unlikely that I will post more than I have done today. I spent many years involved with surgery and aesthetic surgery but when it comes to the latter one thing is clear. Whether it be a breast augmentation for a woman, gynaecomastia for a man or rhinoplasty for either, the reasons for undergoing surgery in the first place are usually identical - the owners are unhappy about their appearance and the quality of life is affected.

However, careless pursuit of this quality of life can be disastrous. In some patients the desire to hear what they want to hear overrules all facts, all common sense and only in the cold postoperative light will the results of their actions be clearly understood. Forums such as this are excellent, particularly with such a good exchange of information between membership. One thing to be very much aware of is how the level of satisfaction following surgery can drop away with the passing of only a relatively short period of time. Studies in the USA of patients who had undergone elective breast augmentation showed that satisfaction was highest three months post operatively. Followed up after five years many patients said they had no regrets but would think carefully before spending such a sum of money again. Followed up after ten years many said it was a good idea at the time but they would not undergo the same surgery today. The point being that we change as we age and what worries us today may not be such a problem tomorrow.

My own opinion which is worth nothing is simply that whatever people do, providing they understand the advantages and disadvantages and have given the matter careful thought then good luck to them.

Do bear in mind when dealing with surgeons that contrary to what you may feel, these people are only human. A joke in medicine goes what is the difference between God and a plastic surgeon? - God doesn't think he is a plastic surgeon. Humour aside, do not be in awe of someone to whom you are going to pay a lot of money. Further, do not for one moment think he does not want your money - he most certainly does. Be aware that some surgeons pay for referrals which can be a lucrative income for those they associate with. Such people will often penetrate forums and post spoof messages extolling the virtues of a particular surgeon hoping to be able to influence potential patients into making appointments with him.

When consulting a surgeon, be cautious where before and after photographs are concerned. Remember, when you ask to see evidence of a surgeons work he is not going to show you any of his failures and even a bad surgeon has an off day where something goes well and a good set of photographs are obtained.

Although it is old fashioned, by far the best and certainly the safest way to find a plastic surgeon is through your own doctor. Many patients don't like this route, believing their doctor will be critical of their desire to undergoing unnecessary surgery but nothing could be further from the truth. Your own doctor is responsible for your primary health care and in the event that something should go wrong could well end up with a role in any post operative treatment which may be necessary. Further and equally important, he knows those surgeons who have given his patients less than adequate results or care and will be keen to ensure that you will not be one of them. Don't travel out of your own area to find surgery - it's not a good thing to do. A long journey home following surgery, even with a day or two of rest before travel is not a good thing. 

In the United States, a saying when looking for a good aesthetic plastic surgeon is "the older the surgeon, the more his experience but the older the surgeon the more his hand shakes. Believe it or not, both statements are true but a good compromise can be found in the 45 - 55 age group.

And on that note I will leave you with your truly excellent forum and wish all who are embarking upon the ultimate trip of self improvement, the very best of luck.

[headheldhigh01]

thanks for your considered thoughts, you can always come back and lurk or even unlurk

while the reminders are good, i think most of us are reasonably realistic in terms of what's possible to improve or who chooses the before/after pics on their websites.  but i personally don't expect time to change my opinion that much with time, just based on how long i've put up without it, i feel it's something i want to do for myself.  only time itself will tell. 

i hear what you're saying about the doctor, but even assuming you have one you've known for years, doctors are as fallible as ps's, except they probably don't do hours of in-depth research before they refer somebody, i doubt he/she will know most of the major gyne specialists, and he/she might even look into it less than you.  people have had bad experiences with recommendations of people who were fine experience general surgeons but really didn't know the first thing about gyne technique.  the patient has to take a degree of responsibility his doctor will not, and i doubt the doc is going to get involved in much post op, he's going to defer that to the specialist.  i think travel out of your area is perfectly fine, otherwise the mayo clinic would go broke.  i doubt there are many highly experience gyne specialists in for example barrow alaska and maybe not even anchorage and you might even still decide to go beyond seattle.  taking it easy is very important, but many people here have reported resting for a few days before returning, with proper care, worked out fine, a ps should be able to tell you how to take it. 

best of luck to you too  

[Grandpa Bambu]

Very interesting post Gasman... thank you!

I personally don't expect time to change my opinion that much with time, just based on how long i've put up without it, i feel it's something i want to do for myself.  only time itself will tell.

Same here! I'm quickly approaching 4 years post-op and have to say that I'll never regret having Gynecomastia Reduction Surgery. I had G for 31 years...   Every single day I wished it was gone... I doubt that anyone, considering G surgery, is doing it impulsively...

i hear what you're saying about the doctor, but even assuming you have one you've known for years, doctors are as fallible as ps's, except they probably don't do hours of in-depth research before they refer somebody, i doubt he/she will know most of the major gyne specialists, and he/she might even look into it less than you.  people have had bad experiences with recommendations of people who were fine experience general surgeons but really didn't know the first thing about gyne technique.  the patient has to take a degree of responsibility his doctor will not, and i doubt the doc is going to get involved in much post op, he's going to defer that to the specialist.

IMO, the info on the pages of this site, far outweigh the knowledge of most GP's in the area of Gynecomastia...

I think travel out of your area is perfectly fine, otherwise the mayo clinic would go broke.  i doubt there are many highly experience gyne specialists in for example barrow alaska and maybe not even anchorage and you might even still decide to go beyond seattle.  taking it easy is very important, but many people here have reported resting for a few days before returning, with proper care, worked out fine, a ps should be able to tell you how to take it.

I mean no disrespect to Gasman, however I have to agree with HHH. How could a post-op road trip be harmful? If one were to drive themselves home all doped up from surgery is one thing. However, if the post-op patient is riding passenger and resting comfortably, then what difference does it make if he is at home resting in his recliner or on the road resting in a reclined car seat? Travel would not be a concern of mine...

However, careless pursuit of this quality of life can be disastrous. In some patients the desire to hear what they want to hear overrules all facts, all common sense and only in the cold postoperative light will the results of their actions be clearly understood. Forums such as this are excellent, particularly with such a good exchange of information between membership. One thing to be very much aware of is how the level of satisfaction following surgery can drop away with the passing of only a relatively short period of time. Studies in the USA of patients who had undergone elective breast augmentation showed that satisfaction was highest three months post operatively. Followed up after five years many patients said they had no regrets but would think carefully before spending such a sum of money again. Followed up after ten years many said it was a good idea at the time but they would not undergo the same surgery today. The point being that we change as we age and what worries us today may not be such a problem tomorrow.

Sure, what you say may be true about 'Breast Augmentation', however I highly doubt that the same would hold true of Gynecomastia Reduction Surgery... I would think that  the reason women have breast augmentation is to make them feel more attractive and to catch the eye of the opposite gender. A vanity issue... Am I wrong here?

I highly doubt that women with smallish breasts have people looking at their chest with that 'WTF' look on their faces, making them feel like 'FREAKS'. That's how most with G feel. Wanting to be rid of G is, IMO, not a vanity issue, it's a case of (dare I say it... ) wanting to feel normal and not a social outcast...

GB

[~Mr.x~]

Sure, what you say may be true about 'Breast Augmentation', however I highly doubt that the same would hold true of Gynecomastia Reduction Surgery... I would think that  the reason women have breast augmentation is to make them feel more attractive and to catch the eye of the opposite gender. A vanity issue... Am I wrong here?

I highly doubt that women with smallish breasts have people looking at their chest with that 'WTF' look on their faces, making them feel like 'FREAKS'. That's how most with G feel. Wanting to be rid of G is, IMO, not a vanity issue, it's a case of (dare I say it... ) wanting to feel normal and not a social outcast...

I agree with most of your post there Grandpa Bambu,

Although breast augmentation may also be carried out for female breast cancer patients or women with unilateral breasts.
So in that respect some women may actually feel like "freaks". May not be related to the topic but I thaught id throw that in there lol.


~><~

[Grandpa Bambu]

I agree with most of your post there Grandpa Bambu,

Although breast augmentation may also be carried out for female breast cancer patients or women with unilateral breasts.
So in that respect some women may actually feel like "freaks". May not be related to the topic but I thaught id throw that in there lol.

Good point. I hear ya broh.... However, the majority of BA recipients probably have it done for vanity insanity...

GB