Advice regarding recovery

[pilgrim]

I'm twenty-nine years old and have only recently realized that what I've been trying to conceal my entire life can be treated through surgery. My issue is this:
If I have the surgery now, I'll be recovering throughout the summer, but if I wait until the Fall, well, I have to wait until the Fall and spend another summer self consciously. The fact that I'm fit and with not so severe gyne leaves me about even on the decision. What is the minimum recovery time? Does anyone have their own experience with recovering from surgery on a less severe case? What I'm really asking is how short a period is possible between surgery and an inconspicuous shrtless appearance?
I have a consultation with a surgeon who is supposed to be one of the best, but that's not for a couple of weeks.

[Spleen]

Hey Pilgrim,

If you're fit and your gyne is not so severe you might first want to ask yourself why you're worried about being bare chested?  I had surgery a few weeks ago, but spent the previous 20 years shirtless at beaches and pools with no problems.  (I had a puffy nips mostly and not big honkers, so results may vary).  Most folks have more to think about than your chest and you might find that if you can lose the shirt and relax a little you'll see it's not such a huge deal.  You might find that you could do without surgery, or you can look for a surgical solution but feel more comfortable before, during and after.  Give it a shot.

FYI, in my case I was shirtless again and totally inconspiculous in less than 3 weeks.  If you choose to go the surgery route take your time to do your homework and know the possible outcomes and complications.  Good luck.

[fleetwd]

if your doc makes good incisions so you can't notice the scars much, you should be good to take your shirt off as soon as the doc clears you to not wear the compression garment (3 weeks or so) .... i was in a hot tub 4 days after surgery with people who didn't know i had the surgery and they didn't notice a thing.

[rcbrown23]

I'm 21 days post op and I still have a little bruising. It would be noticeable to the eye. My guess is that by week 6 I'd be fine to take my shirt off and no one would notice a thing (except my AWESOME bod) kidding

But the problem is that you can't let the scars see the sun or they will be permanently noticeable. I guess I could go out and just put on a sh!tload of sunscreen, but then I'd just be butt white in the middle of summer.

I would say tough it out untill fall. If it's not that bad of a case and you've dealt with it for this long, one more summer won't kill you. Go to the beach and try not to think about it, just know that next year it'll be fixed.

Here's my pics up to today (21 days post):

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rcbrown23/album?.dir=9896&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

All pictures were taken on seven day incriments, starting on the seventh day after my op. (6 pre-op, 3 one week, 4 two week, 4 today)

Peace
                          - Brown

[Grandpa Bambu]

Here's my pics up to today (21 days post):

Looking good Dude!

John

[Grandpa Bambu]

If I have the surgery now, I'll be recovering throughout the summer, but if I wait until the Fall, well, I have to wait until the Fall and spend another summer self consciously.

Git'er taken care of now Dude! Why wait.... No matter what you decide, summer '05 is toast for you. If you are very self-conscious, which, from what you wrote, sounds like you are, U will not be enjoying this summer. If you are recovering from Gyne surgery, you wont be having much fun either. So... get it done now and look forward to summer '06!

I'm 41 and had surgery in February. As soon as I found out that there was a proceedure to remove my Gyne, I was on the phone to JCF ( Nov. '04 ). Time of year was not a concern for me as I just wanted my moobs gone. February was an excellent time to have it done though. Just in time for summer '05.  

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

John.

[emil]

I am getting surgery this tuesday. Yeahhh  

I was told that I won't be able to expose the scar for 6 months.  Yet it sounds like you are already hitting the beach.

Did you get an Ok from the Doc after he checked the scars    or is only a few weeks sufficient?

The doctor also said that the vest needs to be worn for 2 months.  Seems a tad excessive.

I think she might just be trying to cover her bases which I can understand.

Thanks

[Grandpa Bambu]

I am getting surgery this tuesday. Yeahhh  

Congrats!

The doctor also said that the vest needs to be worn for 2 months.  Seems a tad excessive. I think she might just be trying to cover her bases which I can understand.

Sure does! Wore my Ab Binder for 2 weeks. That was enough!

John.