Blitz's Diary...had follow up surgery with Dr. Fielding. Case closed.

[Blitz]

Day 32 post op:

The hematoma is still there on my left side.  If after day 60 it's still there, I will go see Dr. Fielding.  The left side has shrinked so much that I can wear tight t-shirts without feeling worried.  I can see minor improvements every few days so I know that it's healing.  I still don't have the same sensation in my nipples that I did before the surgery but I do know that can take another few months before it gets better.  

I'm back at the gym 3 days a week.  Last week was all eliptical. I did try the treadmill last Wednesday and that lasted only 2 minutes.  Although the discomfort was mild, I didn't want to do anything that might have caused my hematoma to become worse.  No chest exercises as well.  I'm still a bit tentative when it comes to that area.  I will slowly get back into it starting this week.  I'll probably start with flyes and next week I'll start with the bench press.  I'm in no rush to start the chest.   There are so many other body parts that need work.  

As for the pool party.  I made the decision that I wouldn't be jumping into the pool the morning of the pool party.  I would only do it if everybody jumped in.  I  didn't want to look like the only one standing on the deck watching everyone swim around.  Plus, I would be able to hide any scarring by staying under water.  Fortunately, no one jumped in on Saturday.  It was beautiful weather but everyone was having a good time drinking and eating on the patiio, that no one cared to jump in.  I wasn't worried about it but I'm still happy that I didn't have to go down that road.   I know by next summer, I will be the first one to jump in.  

I did wear a tight t-shirt to the pool party and I was told that it looks like I work out.  That felt good.  I wasn't hunching my shoulders in or pulling on the front of my shirt.  I just stood normally with good posture and didn't have a care in the world.  Before the surgery, I wouldn't have even thought about wearing that particular t-shirt.  The only reason why I bought it last year was I was under the false notion that I could work out and get rid of my gyne.  

That's it for now.  I will post again next week.  Hopefully, the hematoma will be gone by then but that's what I said last week.  I'm just thankful that it looks a lot better then it did last week.  

[Blitz]

34 Days Post Op:

Just letting everyone know that I worked out my chest last night.  I bench pressed 3 sets of 100 pounds.  I averaged 6 to 7 reps.  Not bad for a guy who hadn't worked out his chest in over 2 months (I didn't workout my chest 1 month pre-op as well).  I did 2 sets of flyes as well.  I also jogged for 22 minutes and everything felt good.  I'll probably increase the exercises by next week.

By next Friday, I'll probably start using the gym's pool as well. It will be my first time in their pool and I've been going to my gym for about a year and a half.  Friday night is not that busy so I won't feel that self conscious about it.  I think baby steps first before I start hitting the water parks.  

[Raven]

Blitz... how are you doing in terms of overall progress?
Are you in any pain whatsoever? How much swelling do you still have? Are you ready to post up some pics yet?
Keep us in the loop bro!  

[Blitz]

I haven't been updating my diary only because there wasn't much to update.

I've been back at the gym and that feels great.  Two nights ago I worked out with a tight tank top on and I felt on top of the world.  Wearing a tank top to the gym is not my style but I guess I'm gaining a new sense of style with my flatter chest.  

I have an appointment with Fielding on the 13th of Sept. (exactly two months) since the operation and it's for the hematoma.  Even with the hematoma on my left side, my chest still looks better then it did pre-op.  My right side still looks amazing so I'm feeling pretty good about that.  

I'm hoping he can drain the remaining fluid out or give me some words of encouragement that it will dissipate in the next little while and drain itself.  My right (good side) definitely feels different then my left side.  When I push in on the nipple on my right side, it feels like there's nothing really back there.  On my right side, it feels more solid and liquidy at the same time.   I'll post back after the appointment.  

[Blitz]

I saw Dr. Fielding today at St. Joseph's.  I asked him about the hard little bump under my left nipple (I was worried that it might be gland growing back...I know that sounds stupid but I wasn't sure what it could be).  He assured me that the gland can't grow back, he removed most of the gland and that what I have is scar tissue under the skin.  He said it's just a waiting game and it should dissipate.

I said my right side looks amazing and he agreed that it looked better then my left side but it's still a bit swollen.  He said it will go down even more.  

I asked about a steroid injection to speed up the healing process and he said he has done that before but he's worried that a concave look might be achieved through that.  He said he's 90% sure that what I have will heal.  He said to check back with him in 2 to 3 months for a checkup.  I have no choice but to wait out my year.  

I can honestly tell everyone that even though I'm not 100% happy with my left side (yet), it still look a lot better then it did before.  I feel very optimistic that everything will look good within the next few months.  

[Blitz]

The hard little bump (scar tissue)  that was under my left nipple seems to be gone (or going away)!  Just as Dr. Fielding predicted it would.  It seems like it's just liquid in there now.  I'm hoping this passes through very soon but patience is definitely a virtue when healing after cosmetic surgery.  

Some advice to my gyne brethren:  If you do suffer from a hematoma (extreme swelling and maybe scar tissue) after surgery, be patient. I must admit, I thought the swelling wouldn't go down but with the help of this site and a few encouraging words from Dr. Fielding, it was very easy for me to stay relaxed throughout.  I'm not predicting a date as to when the left side will be fully healed but if by Christmas the left side is not looking fabulous, I'll be very surprised.  

Also, get the operation done right after the summer weather (if you live on the upper east coast).  In my opinion, it's better to have this surgery in the colder weather because it's very easy to cover up the bandaging with the extra layers and you won't over heat.  Lets say you get the op done in November and you've had some major swelling because your body just had that kind of reaction to the surgery.  You'll have a good 6 months to have everything heal up before the warm weather hits.  I'm only two and a half months post op and my hematoma has subsided significantly.  If you saw my hematoma after surgery, you'd think I had implants.  

Will keep everyone posted and will be posting pictures very soon.    

[Blitz]

I finally went swimming for the first time yesterday with friends and family.   Was a bit apprehensive at first but after the first 5 minutes, I was in and out of the pool without a care in the world.  No one looked at me funny or said anything.  To test my fears, I made sure I stayed out of the pool for a while and walked around.  Plus, I was able to play in the pool with my son and not worry about what might be said.

[Blitz]

Congrats, that's awesome.  How long post surgery are you?  What I'm actually asking, I guess, is how long it took until you could comfortably swim post surgery.

I'm 3 months post op. If I didn't have the hematoma on my left side, I would have dived in as soon as I possibly could after surgery (about 3 weeks).  The hematoma is healing everyday so that's a plus.  I can see the difference even from last month.  I'm still not 100% happy, maybe 85% happy with it so far.  Dr. Fielding said it will get better, month after month.  Patience is key because everyone heals differently and not all gyne patients have the same amount of gyne.  I think the bigger the gland, the more chance of complications after.  

Still, I'd rather have it look the way it does now then it did before surgery.  It's no longer something I obsess about anymore.  

[Grandpa Bambu]

Still, I'd rather have it look the way it does now then it did before surgery.  It's no longer something I obsess about anymore.

Awesome Dude!  

Glad to hear that your 'first' swim went well. It's an awesome feeling huh! I had my 'first' swim this summer also. Went for a dip with my Grandson. Sure is nice to be able to go swimming and not having that paranoid feeling of everyone staring.

All I can say is.....      CONGRATS!!!

John.

[Blitz]

It's been a while since I've posted a message to this board so I thought I 'd check in.  Before I had my gyne removed, I was here everyday.  Since I've had it removed in July of 2005, I may make it to these boards once a month and I've basically stop posting.  

Anyways, it's been 8 months since I've had my gyne removed with the help of Dr. Fielding from Toronto.  I suffered a hematoma on my left side that lasted for a few months after the surgery.  It was so bad that Fielding drained it a week later.  For those of you that don't know, a hematoma is extreme swelling brought on by trauma (invasive surgery).  Even without the draining, the swelling would have gone down so don't be scared if you suffer one; it does go away.  

I have to admit, my right side looks great.  I wouldn't change a thing.  My left side is catching up (it's about 80 to 90% the way I want it to look....I'm pretty sure it's all in my head).  It's looking better every month.  I've been swimming a few times over the winter months and it feels great.  For the record, every time I go swimming, I always see a few guys with gyne and it looks like they don't have a care in the world.  

For those of you who are thinking of getting it done, I'm a true believer in getting the surgery.  For me, my gyne was a problem and now it doesn't feel like one anymore.  I will check in again on July 13th.  That will be exactly 1 year since my surgery.  I can't believe that I will feel comfortable swimming this summer.  

[Tired]

Just read the entire thread and i want to thank you for it!

I will be in a similar situation pretty soon, and seeing as how well you feel now after the surgery i can't wait to get it done.

I am glad everything worked out for you, and even though i will be envyous(?) of you without your shirt, i wish you a great summer!

[tr4]

Blitz, was the hematoma painful to touch? I am going through the same type thing and hoping this large lump will subside. Thanks for any help.

[crow]

It's been a while since I've posted a message to this board so I thought I 'd check in.  Before I had my gyne removed, I was here everyday.  Since I've had it removed in July of 2005, I may make it to these boards once a month and I've basically stop posting.  

Anyways, it's been 8 months since I've had my gyne removed with the help of Dr. Fielding from Toronto.  I suffered a hematoma on my left side that lasted for a few months after the surgery.  It was so bad that Fielding drained it a week later.  For those of you that don't know, a hematoma is extreme swelling brought on by trauma (invasive surgery).  Even without the draining, the swelling would have gone down so don't be scared if you suffer one; it does go away.  

I have to admit, my right side looks great.  I wouldn't change a thing.  My left side is catching up (it's about 80 to 90% the way I want it to look....I'm pretty sure it's all in my head).  It's looking better every month.  I've been swimming a few times over the winter months and it feels great.  For the record, every time I go swimming, I always see a few guys with gyne and it looks like they don't have a care in the world.  

For those of you who are thinking of getting it done, I'm a true believer in getting the surgery.  For me, my gyne was a problem and now it doesn't feel like one anymore.  I will check in again on July 13th.  That will be exactly 1 year since my surgery.  I can't believe that I will feel comfortable swimming this summer.  

Hi Blitz, sounds like everything is a succsses......I have a right side that is a little puffy so mabey I should look into this thing u had........But does it take a year for this gyne to subside?.......

All the best  

[Blitz]

Blitz, was the hematoma painful to touch? I am going through the same type thing and hoping this large lump will subside. Thanks for any help.

The hematoma was more painful to look at then touch but yes, it was a little sore and tender for a while.  Dr. Fielding drained it because he could see the look of disappointment on my face.  It was a big improvement after the draining but not enough to make me rip off my shirt.  It takes a while but it does go down.  It took 3 months before I started to like what I saw in the mirror and every month after that I can see signs of improvement.  

Some days are better then others but a lot of it is in my head.  I don't obsess about it as much as I use to but of course, I still try to compare what I look like (from memory) to what I look like now.  I don't regret the surgery at all because I will be shirtless this summer and I feel a lot more comfortable with my shirt off.  My chest looks great.  

Side note.  You will lose sensitivity in your nipple region.  Before my surgery, all it took was a slight breeze to get my nipples erect and now, I can have 2 strippers licking each one and it wouildn't do anything for me.  That's the only downside of it for me because it was such a turn on to have my nipples tweaked but I'll be honest with you, I'd rather have my gyne removed then have nipple sensitivity.  That's just me though.  

[Grandpa Bambu]

I don't regret the surgery at all because I will be shirtless this summer and I feel a lot more comfortable with my shirt off.  My chest looks great.

Blitz...

Awesome Dude.... Glad to hear that your surgery was a success!

Feels good being Gyne free eh!  

John.