Hey guys, Im new

[thorne]

I posted this in another section before I seen the UK one.

Hey guys. Im new here and wanted to let you guys know about my problem and see if I can have any advice. Ive had boobs since I was 12, Im now 19 (20 in a few months). Its taken me years to even talk about my problem let alone go to the doctor to sort it out. Anyway, 3 weeks ago I went to the doctor and she said they were enlarged and sent me for a blood test. Last week I had my results and she said my estrogen levels were high, hence the boobs. Ive now been referred to a consultant. I live in the UK and was wondering what the procedure is with the consultant, what things he/she may ask or do. Im in university and cant afford private treatment but I have read good and bad stories about the NHS. I dont want to go and just been sent away with medicatio nIve read and heard about that doesnt really get rid of the problem, surgery is the only option for me. You guys all know how much this condition brings you down. You cant really live a normal life, constantly wearing thick layers, dark clothing, I always fold my arms to hide them. The biggest killer for me is, I was a very strong swimmer at a young age, I had a chance to go national level but quit because of my boobs and havent been in a pool since, it kills me. I also turned down a position as a special constable for the police service because I was told I would have to share showers and changing rooms with others. This really is getting to me now, I even find it hard to get on the train to get to uni because I know alot of people will be there. Its pretty much ruining my life. Im not a nasty, arrogant person and I dont want to in to see the consultant with that manner when I say that surgery is what I want, how can I bring the topic up?

thanks guys!

[WXYZ]

I live in the UK and was wondering what the procedure is with the consultant, what things he/she may ask or do. Im in university and cant afford private treatment but I have read good and bad stories about the NHS. I dont want to go and just been sent away with medicatio nIve read and heard about that doesnt really get rid of the problem, surgery is the only option for me.

I tried the NHS route first, so I'll tell you what they do. You will have to wait in a breast clinic among female patients and if you're lucky there will be another guy there waiting with the same condition. However that's unlikely - there were no men waiting when I went for the consultation and yes, it was embarassing when the ladies stare as if you're in the wrong place. Not trying to scare you, just saying be to prepared.  So you will go in to see the consultant and he/she will tell you to remove your shirt to take a look. They will press it to see how big it is and to see if it's mainly gland or fat. They will then tell you to lower your underpants, then they will check your testicle size, as those with small testicles may have a condition called Klinefelters syndrome or maybe small testicles could mean another medical condition. My guess is if your testicles are too small they may not offer you the op. According to another poster there was a nurse present for his consultaton, so if you're embarassed, try not to be. After that they will have a chat with you and tell you what your options are. They will send you for a blood test and maybe an ultrasound scan.

Tell the consultant that it's affecting your life very badly and is stopping you from socialising, taking a job or having relationships.  Make it sound like it's ruining your life to the point of having no life. Make the doc know that you know what you're talking about and have done your own research and that surgery is what you want. If the doc agrees, then ask how much experience do they have in treating gyne and which method will they use. Be warned there are some surgeons that take out very little gyne and others that cut out your nipple then stitch it back on and you may be left with telling scars, which I'm sure you don't want. My NHS surgeon wasn't very experienced in treating gyne and told me he won't remove all gland and also that there will be visible scarring. That was enough info for me to decide to go private. So I went private, had it done and while it's still early days, I'm quite happy so far.

[thorne]

Thanks for the reply! My balls are pretty good size lol, havent noticed that they are small or anything. That but will be embarrasing thing though lol. Tbh I dont care anymore, I just want to get rid of these mountains lol. How long did you have to wait to receive a letter confirming your appointment with the consultant?

[DrBermant]

I posted this in another section before I seen the UK one.

Hey guys. Im new here and wanted to let you guys know about my problem and see if I can have any advice. Ive had boobs since I was 12, Im now 19 (20 in a few months). Its taken me years to even talk about my problem let alone go to the doctor to sort it out. Anyway, 3 weeks ago I went to the doctor and she said they were enlarged and sent me for a blood test. Last week I had my results and she said my estrogen levels were high, hence the boobs. Ive now been referred to a consultant. I live in the UK and was wondering what the procedure is with the consultant, what things he/she may ask or do. Im in university and cant afford private treatment but I have read good and bad stories about the NHS. I dont want to go and just been sent away with medicatio nIve read and heard about that doesnt really get rid of the problem, surgery is the only option for me. You guys all know how much this condition brings you down. You cant really live a normal life, constantly wearing thick layers, dark clothing, I always fold my arms to hide them. The biggest killer for me is, I was a very strong swimmer at a young age, I had a chance to go national level but quit because of my boobs and havent been in a pool since, it kills me. I also turned down a position as a special constable for the police service because I was told I would have to share showers and changing rooms with others. This really is getting to me now, I even find it hard to get on the train to get to uni because I know alot of people will be there. Its pretty much ruining my life. Im not a nasty, arrogant person and I dont want to in to see the consultant with that manner when I say that surgery is what I want, how can I bring the topic up?

thanks guys!

We see many patients from the UK and around the world who prefer my techniques and specialization.  There have been various stories why they gave up on care back home to travel for my sculpture.  Most of our UK patients start with our Preliminary Remote Discussion to minimize travel to Virginia.  You can find a few of UK Patient Gynecomastia Experiences on this link. 

No Surgery Body Shaping Garments are a contouring option while waiting for surgery.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

[WXYZ]

Thanks for the reply! My balls are pretty good size lol, havent noticed that they are small or anything. That but will be embarrasing thing though lol. Tbh I dont care anymore, I just want to get rid of these mountains lol. How long did you have to wait to receive a letter confirming your appointment with the consultant?

I thought my balls were normal too and wasn't looking forward to that part of the consultation. But I was glad to hear they indeed were normal. Don't know how I would've taken it if I had heard otherwise.

From when I went to see my GP, he said he'll send a letter to the NHS Hospital requesting  a consultation. About 3 weeks later I got a reply from the hospital 'inviting' me to make an appointment. I guess this is because they know that some men will pull out or not turn up to the consultation once they find out it will be in the breast clinic. So I gave them a phonecall and the consultation was made for 3 weeks later. So in all from when I told my GP to my NHS consultation it took 6 weeks. By the way if you're going to a breast clinic it may be embarassing to find that you're the only man there in the waiting area, so I'd say try to take a female friend with you (if they know of your gyne) so they'll think you're just the boyfriend. There was another guy on here who totally freaked out when he saw only females there and as he found it too hard to deal with, he made a run for it!

[thorne]

WXYZ, cheers for all this info mate, you're really helping me out big time!. I received my letter, saying the hospital has received a letter for me to have a consultation with a Drfor GENERAL MEDICINE, how the hell if gyne general medicine? the letter has f=given me a list of hospitals, do I have to phone them or will they automaticly make me an appointment with the closest hospital? My mother will probably come with me if I ask her, tbh I dont care what them women think when Im there, this is the first few steps to getting rid of the breasts and to me its important for me to be there so I can finally have a normal life!

cheers again mate! you're helping me out big time!