I've been considering surgery on and off for the last 8 years. Actually, I nearly did it once, in 2002, I had gone to an initial consultation and booked a date with Dr. Fielding in Toronto, but my girlfriend at the time basically talked me out of it, scaring the shit out of me in the process. That caution has stayed with me ever since and has really been the only thing stopping me from getting the surgery. I suppose I have become more comfortable with gynecomastia over the years, partly because I have become a more confident person, and more comfortable with myself in general. Still, I've never really been comfortable wearing fitted shirts or at the beach.
Recently, I'd been mulling over the surgery again (tends to happen when summer's around the corner, eh?), but I didn't really consider doing anything about it until a few days ago. You see, I live in Spain, and I am home for the summer. I realized I may have a brief window of opportunity to put this behind me, before heading back. I mentioned to my girlfriend over the phone that it had been on my mind and she said that I ought to at least phone, find out if it would be possible to get the surgery, and either decide to go forward with it, or forget about it. I took her up on the advice, called Dr. Lista's office and spoke to a very friendly and sympathetic receptionist who made an appointment for me for the following day. I told my parents about it, they were both intially surprised but very supportive ("go for it!" said my Dad). So, after an almost sleepless night (super nervous!), I headed off down the QEW to Dr. Lista's office and had a brief consultation. My impression is that he is a very kind man, patient, not overly talkative, but extremely professional and not at all in a rush to get through the appointment. After explaining a few things to my mother and I, we sort of sat there stunned and nervous and he just waited to field any questions. Frankly, I didn't have too many, having checked out his website (
www.theplasticsurgeryclinic.com) and read up on the procedure beforehand. I have full confidence in him and his staff and, having weighed the risks (is that even really possible! I prefer not to think about it having agonized over the decision enough already), I decided to go ahead with it.
I had explained to Dr. Lista that I would be going back to Spain at the end of August, which he said wouldn't be a problem, nevertheless, I received a call today from one of his staff offering to move the date up from August 12th to Thursday, July 30th! Wow, did that ever take me back! After the initial upset stomach (like a little kid!) I thought it was a great idea. Now, I just have to get some bloodwork done and do a brief physical exam and I'm off to the races. Oh, right, and pay the $4,900+tax =$5,145.00. That includes everything, they even gave me a package of Arnica pills to take before and after, and a surgical soap for before the surgery (least they could do, right? Still, it kind of makes you feel like they've got their shit together).
I'll post pre and post-op photos later and let you all know how it went.