Plucking up the courage - Surgery completed 15.03.12

[thetodd]

My advice would be to never borrow money, you never know whats going to happen at work and 0% APR loans are great but if you dont pay it off in the year it can lead to massive debts. Go to the consultation and save like youve never saved before .

Get a beard trimmer for your chest hair, itl leave stubble but wont irritate your skin like veet/razors will.

Dont tell ANYONE about surgery unless its close family, how many times have you said to someone "yeah dont tell anyone, but". You dont know whats going to happen with friends in the future there is absolutley no need for them to know. I had my mates take the piss out of my moobs for years and no-one ever twigged just said "been down the gym?". You wont need to explain the vest its only on for a week and its not visible.

[namsoni]

My advice would be to never borrow money, you never know whats going to happen at work and 0% APR loans are great but if you dont pay it off in the year it can lead to massive debts. Go to the consultation and save like youve never saved before .

Get a beard trimmer for your chest hair, itl leave stubble but wont irritate your skin like veet/razors will.

Dont tell ANYONE about surgery unless its close family, how many times have you said to someone "yeah dont tell anyone, but". You dont know whats going to happen with friends in the future there is absolutley no need for them to know. I had my mates take the piss out of my moobs for years and no-one ever twigged just said "been down the gym?". You wont need to explain the vest its only on for a week and its not visible.

Thanks for all the advice guys. It still doesn't feel real. I am trying to keep fairly grounded about it, as I realise it is not the solution to all my woes, and equally I also realise that I am lucky in many aspects of life and I should over value what is essentially cosmetic surgery.

And 'thetodd' thanks for your advice. Your logic on loans is wise, but doesn't uniquely apply to my situation - the whole of western society might benefit from your advice! However, I have taken it all into account when coming to my decision:

> My job is a fixed term contract for several years, so fairly secure.
> I could save the money in about 5 months. My plan is to save at that rate for the next few months (though only paying back the loan over the 22 months specified)
> And call me vain and impatient, but I wanted to reap the benefits of the surgery in time for summer 2012.

[namsoni]

So I had my consultation this morning. I almost never went, and felt quite panic-y. Honestly, the only reason I went, was because I had already borrowed the money! Anyway, I just distracted myself all the way to hospital, and was fairly successful at not thinking about until I got to the hospital, when I knew I wouldn't be able to turn back. After that, it was all a breeze. Karidis seems a nice guy, and I was already confident of his competence, so I didn't spend a lot of time with him. My initial plan was to have the consultation and then think about it, but a combination of being financially committed and concerns about changing my mind, made me decide to just get it all sorted there and then. Got my bloods done, paid the deposit, and booked the surgery for 15th March (due to work commitments). The later date also gives me some more time to get in shape. I've made a tentative start at getting into shape, and have lost a few pounds this last couple of weeks, but I want to step up a gear so I really enjoy the benefits of being moobless after surgery!

Cheers for the support so far guys. I will update this, and get some pre photos up closer to surgery.

[Bikkembergs]

Well done Namsoni..

..Now get your ass in the gym 

Good luck 

[namsoni]

Currently in Barbados, and feeling a little down. Thankfully I will mainly be working, but we have some free time. Obviously, I don't only have to go swimming, or to the beach, but that is pretty much the main thing to do. I would love to do that, but feel to body conscious. I am so lucky to get to come here, particularly with work paying, but it is such a waste on me. Looking forward to surgery and also will be booking for some laser hair removal. Thankfully, my weight loss is going fairly well.

N

[namsoni]

Not sure I have an audience for these posts anymore (clearing fishing), but a cathartic exercise nonetheless. A quick update: After a month of ignoring it, I cleared the remainder of what I owed to Dr. Karidis. Not sure why I left it so long, but a couple of things recently reminded me why I am doing this, so I just got on with it. Need to clear the hosptial fee now - will probably do that tomorrow.

Part of me wishes I'd booked the surgery earlier than the 15th March, as I've had far too long to think about it, but que sera. Anyway, hopefully there are a couple of people reading this, as I have a couple of questions:

Did you guys take annual leave or sick leave from work to recover? I don't want to explain the procedure, but if I don't have to eat into my annual leave that would be useful.

For those of you who didn't tell anyone, how did you cope? Any handy tips?

And I live in London, so could take the tube after surgery - but would you guys advise a taxi? Or just wait to see how I feel?

Cheers

[Birmingham]

Not sure I have an audience for these posts anymore (clearing fishing), but a cathartic exercise nonetheless. A quick update: After a month of ignoring it, I cleared the remainder of what I owed to Dr. Karidis. Not sure why I left it so long, but a couple of things recently reminded me why I am doing this, so I just got on with it. Need to clear the hosptial fee now - will probably do that tomorrow.

Part of me wishes I'd booked the surgery earlier than the 15th March, as I've had far too long to think about it, but que sera. Anyway, hopefully there are a couple of people reading this, as I have a couple of questions:

Did you guys take annual leave or sick leave from work to recover? I don't want to explain the procedure, but if I don't have to eat into my annual leave that would be useful.

For those of you who didn't tell anyone, how did you cope? Any handy tips?

And I live in London, so could take the tube after surgery - but would you guys advise a taxi? Or just wait to see how I feel?

Cheers

Hey bro you're going in on the 15th? My surgery is on the same day! What time is your op?

[namsoni]

Hey, I need to check, but I'm pretty sure I'm first up, like 8am. He seems to get through a lot of these ops - he must be raking it in! Anyway, I guess he is just taking advantage of the demand for this operation - that's capitalism!

And I see you are from Bham - I am escapee of Brum myself. Just wondering why you haven't decided to go with Levick?

N

[Birmingham]

Hey, I need to check, but I'm pretty sure I'm first up, like 8am. He seems to get through a lot of these ops - he must be raking it in! Anyway, I guess he is just taking advantage of the demand for this operation - that's capitalism!

And I see you are from Bham - I am escapee of Brum myself. Just wondering why you haven't decided to go with Levick?

N
[

I was a bit put off by the fact that with Levick you had to buy your own compression vest? I'm not sure if that's entirely true but when I first found this site I remember reading something like that and just made up my mind not to go with him. Also I don't think we have enough people who go with Levick and with Karidis almost every thread here I can compare my results with,

[Bikkembergs]

I see the 15th is a Thursday. So you should take off the Friday too. You'll be a little immobile but by the next day you'll probably be ok, just a little drained. It's a good day though because you can spend the entire weekend resting and be back for Monday no problem.

Mine was a Saturday and I was back at work Tuesday.

[namsoni]

Surgery in a couple of days. I feel like I should be doing something more to prepare, but not sure what. Really glad this forum is here, as its a pretty lonely thing to do when you haven't told anyone. Anyway, my dad has now said he is coming down to visit my aunt on Friday, and wants to meet me in the evening. It's the day after my surgery would you guys recommend I cancel, or do you think it's feasible to make to central London and meet him?

N

[zm]

There is nothing to prepare bro but take someone with you if you can.

Also I would recommend cancelling for Friday. All I wanted to do was rest and be left in peace the first couple of days.

[namsoni]

Got a voice mail from the nurse reminding me to arrive for 7am tomorrow. Mixed feelings at the moment: on the one hand after 4 years of being on this forum I can't believe I'm actually going to get rid of these moobs, but on the other hand I have an impending sense of disappointment. It occurred to me today that I had used my gyne as an excuse for so many things, and maybe, after it has gone, I will just find new excuses. I am really hoping that isn't the case and that I'm not ungrateful for the opportunity I am being afforded to ameliorate what is an unbearably 'first world' malaise.

Overthinking it? Definitely. And on that note, big thanks to Birmingham and ZM for the messages the last couple of days, and of course everyone on the forum. Birmingham (the forum member, not my delightful place of birth) in particular for shining a light on how over-dramatic I'm continuing to be!

N

[zm]

you're more than welcome mate.

after you surgery tomorrow, you will feel a sense of relief and feel silly for having all the worries and anxiety.  then you'll be thinking have i done the right then...after that, you'll feel relaxed and will want the few months to pass quickly for the final result.

good luck for tomorrow bro. let us know how you get on..

[namsoni]

All done. Somewhat dazed and sore, but generally ok. In my hospital room so will write a proper update later