Another advice thread...Surgery?

[timotei]

Hey all

I've been meaning to write on here to discuss my gynecomastia, and how I will go about solving the issue that has plagued me for so long.

It's really starting to bother me greatly. It's visible though my clothing and i'm constantly aware of it and people glancing at my chest. I walk along the corridors at work constantly scratching the other side of my shoulder to cover the area up.

It started about 3 years ago where I felt a very small lump just under the nipple on my right hand side of my chest. Within a year it was visible, and another 6 months it was visible through clothing. It got quite big quite fast so I saw my GP and he referred me to a breast clinic in case it could be something bad. He mentioned that it's unusual for someone of my age to get gynecomastia on one side at a young age (i was 24 at the time).

The breast clinic took a blood test (it was fine), and an ultrasound and concluded was that it was nothing to worry about, and will go down in a year or so. So I left feeling relieved that it wasn't a horror story.

So since then, nothing much has happened. It deflated a small amount (enough to notice anyway), but has gone back to it's original size again quite recently. Certainly hasn't "gone down in a year or so" like I was told. Im 26 now.

The thing is about just over half a ping pong ball in size, with some hard tissue to the right and some soft fat tissue around the nipple. The hard tissue is a new formation and had got me worried as it shows all the signs of a tumour (tenderness, locally movable and hard), but Im thinking this is just a normal part of Gynecomastia because A) Hard tissue formed in an area different to this one before it deflated, now in its present form that area is soft, B) The breast clinic gave me the all-clear, even with the previous hard lump.

I don't have much money, but I'm feeling like I need surgery now, and this Dr. Karadis (excuse the spelling) seems the best option. The problem is that i've been seeing surgery prices of 4k on this very forum which is way too much money. I don't know how he works, but do you think for me it would be slightly lower considering i've only got it on one side? Heh, I don't think he charges per boob as such, but I hoping it would be a little less.

What do you guys recommend? I'm sorry, but you probably get tons of the same messages every day here, but i just need some clarification on my condition and options open to me.

Photo attatched - you can clearly see it on the left here.

Many thanks
Tim

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Hi Tim -- welcome to the forum.

Even though it is a poor photo, it does appear significant enough that it might merit surgery.

Would suggest you consult more than one specialist -- just to get several opinions.  Also, please understand that oftentimes there is excess tissue on both sides -- but one may be much larger than the other.  In circumstances such as this I will examine both sides and make appropriate recommendations.

Fees will vary significantly across the country and around the world.  But one word of caution -- do not make your decision based on fee alone.  If you run into post-op problems, you will have even more expense.  Better to have it done right the first time.

Best of luck!

Dr Jacobs

[DrBermant]

Hey all

I've been meaning to write on here to discuss my gynecomastia, and how I will go about solving the issue that has plagued me for so long.

It's really starting to bother me greatly. It's visible though my clothing and i'm constantly aware of it and people glancing at my chest. I walk along the corridors at work constantly scratching the other side of my shoulder to cover the area up.

It started about 3 years ago where I felt a very small lump just under the nipple on my right hand side of my chest. Within a year it was visible, and another 6 months it was visible through clothing. It got quite big quite fast so I saw my GP and he referred me to a breast clinic in case it could be something bad. He mentioned that it's unusual for someone of my age to get gynecomastia on one side at a young age (i was 24 at the time).

The breast clinic took a blood test (it was fine), and an ultrasound and concluded was that it was nothing to worry about, and will go down in a year or so. So I left feeling relieved that it wasn't a horror story.

So since then, nothing much has happened. It deflated a small amount (enough to notice anyway), but has gone back to it's original size again quite recently. Certainly hasn't "gone down in a year or so" like I was told. Im 26 now.

The thing is about just over half a ping pong ball in size, with some hard tissue to the right and some soft fat tissue around the nipple. The hard tissue is a new formation and had got me worried as it shows all the signs of a tumour (tenderness, locally movable and hard), but Im thinking this is just a normal part of Gynecomastia because A) Hard tissue formed in an area different to this one before it deflated, now in its present form that area is soft, B) The breast clinic gave me the all-clear, even with the previous hard lump.

I don't have much money, but I'm feeling like I need surgery now, and this Dr. Karadis (excuse the spelling) seems the best option. The problem is that i've been seeing surgery prices of 4k on this very forum which is way too much money. I don't know how he works, but do you think for me it would be slightly lower considering i've only got it on one side? Heh, I don't think he charges per boob as such, but I hoping it would be a little less.

What do you guys recommend? I'm sorry, but you probably get tons of the same messages every day here, but i just need some clarification on my condition and options open to me.

Photo attatched - you can clearly see it on the left here.

Many thanks
Tim

There are many possible Causes for Gynecomastia that can cause breast growth outside the time of puberty. While the gland is under stimulation it swells. Waiting until this swelling goes down or is stabilized is usually the best first step. If swelling resolves, then surgery would not be needed. Once Symptoms of Gynecomastia abate, and the problem stabilizes, then considering surgery for a Puffy Nipple Gynecomastia can be considered.

Hope this helps,

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

[TheOregonKid]

If you can afford to make payments on a loan, I would borrow money to get the procedure done.  I am strongly opposed to debt but I also think that time is more important than money and gyno robs you of living life to the fullest.  I would suggest going to your bank or credit union and see what your options are for a personal line of credit.  PLOC rates are often significantly lower than the plastic surgery finance companies and they usually allow extended repayment terms, which lowers the payment amount.  My monthly payment on my $5200 loan will be $103...something I think most of us could afford.  Even if you had to downgrade to a less expensive car or move to a cheaper apartment I would say it's worth it if your gyno is truly having a negative impact on your confidence and self-esteem.  I wish that I had made the sacrifices long ago and gotten my surgery done.  Now that I'm nearing 30, I am resolved not to spend another decade with gyno.
The decision is yours to make.  We all have different values so you will need to decide what is most important to you.

Good luck.

-The Kid

[timotei]

Ok, thanks guys. I'll do some research into different surgeries. Im not going to jump into surgery, purely as I need to make sure I can justify the money, and because It has reduced in size before. And after reading your replies I think it may be puffy nipple gynecomastia.

Sorry for the bad photo, but it's certainly on one side only. Im quite a skinny guy so it's more obvious.

Any more advice is appreciated!

Thanks!
T