where to start

[tlkgmp]

i have been living with gynecomastia since i was about 14 and i am now 30. Although i remained ashamed of my body, for the most part it was something i had accepted as being a part of me and therefore something that i could never change. I avoid pools, beaches, and generally taking my shirt off in public place (including my backyard). Recently after turing 30 and going through a divorce i decided i had, had enough and i didn't want to live like this anymore. I have done some priliminary research into surgeries, but since this was an issue i so closely gaurded i never even discussed gynecomastia with a family doctor. Where should i start? is it safe to say at my age and having gynecomastia for approximatley 16 yrs that it is most likely not hormonal or some other cause? is surgery my best bet? any words of advice would be hopeful. thanks.

[Grandpa Bambu]

Welcome to the site dude!

Are you in the US? Canada? Other?

Has your G changed much in those 16 years that you have had the condition? You say that you first noticed your G at approx 14 years old. In the majority of cases, Gynecomastia occurs during puberty. Many of those young teens have their G recede, and have a 'normal' chest. For some however, you, me, and many other unlucky soles, it does not go away and we are burdened with 'The Curse'. Your G was probably caused by over active, out-of-whack hormones that didn't adjust to normal levels.

In some cases, as in mine, the testicles do not grow to a normal size and therefore the production of testosterone is very limited. With limited testosterone, and conversantly, high estrogen levels, the body will take on some female characteristics such as breasts. Or, some form thereof. Gynecomastia can range from slight 'Puffies' (puffy areolas/nipples), all the way to full-blown breasts.

For those sufferers that have had their G for 2 or more years and has not changed in that time period, the only proven way to get rid of Gynecomastia is surgical reduction/removal. First thing you need to do is to find a Plastic Surgeon. The ideal surgeon must be Board Certified and has extensive experience in Gynecomastic Reduction Surgery. IMO, 150 or more surgeries a year is a good starting point... Practice makes perfect!

Yes... surgery is your best bet!

GB

[tlkgmp]

First of all thanks for the info.....much appreaciated.

I'm in the US. My G hasn't had a noticable change in those approx 14 yrs. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm looking for a plastic surgeon now.

[Grandpa Bambu]

What state are you in?

GB

[tlkgmp]

In Oregon

[Pacifico]

Miguel Delgado MD is about 8 hours south of you, if you are looking for one of the top gyne surgens in the country.

[Grandpa Bambu]

Delgado did Merle's procedure...

GB

[tlkgmp]

I was quoted 5669.00 today from a surgeon in the Portland metro region. She does about 70 procedures a year.

[Pacifico]

What is her name?  I lived in Milwaukie, OR for 10 years and have not heard of a high volume gyne surgeon there!  70 is a lot, I would like to see her results that is what matters.  Many doctors can not get good results with their techniques, few can!

[tlkgmp]

Dr. Kathleen Waldorf. Let me know if you find any more info.

[Pacifico]

I doubt she does over 20 a year.  Her name is not on this site, she has no before and afters I see.  Please do yourself a favor and read all the horror stories about people who go to "good" pastic surgeons, and get fucked with this procedure.  It is not easy to do and very few doctors in the country are consistently doing truly good work (where the patient is happy).  Read the horror stories!  She may work on 70 chest cases but they are not male and not gynecomastia.  Look at Jacobs, Bermant, Delgado, Wiener, Pope, ect...  These guys have good reputations.  Don't make your problem worse and get screwed.  It's your body!  Plastic is a non speciality in a sence the can work on all parts of the body (you don't see heart surgeons doing hand surgery, or foot surgeons doing liver transplants) use a specialist not a jack of all trades.  Or else get jacked!

[Pacifico]

Insert Quote
Pacifico, a doctor having a good reputation doesn't necessarily mean much except that they're good at marketing themselves.

I've seen several people get excellent results paying $4000 or less for some unheard of surgeon in their hometown. Just because a surgeon doesn't get on this site and constantly advertise themself doesn't mean they're not good.


Yes this is true, but I have seen many more horror stories from small time doctors who are not well known with this procedure.  Bottom line, if you market a lot and have high volume and your work is bad, word will get out fast due to modern communications, so the fact these doctors are marketing a lot and have not been curcified yet means they must be doing something right--why risk it?  For a few bucks?  Again don't listen to what doctors tell you look at what their patients say.  My doc, Delgado, has no postings here, but many patients have posted their experiences,and that is what you should rely on, not a surgeon who claims he is the best (they all do)

[Grandpa Bambu]

I'm not saying pick any old surgeon at random either. Just get a list of surgeons from your area, go in for consultations, look closely at before/after pictures, ask pertinent questions, then go with the one you get the best vibe from.

Yeah, that's the ticket! 

GB