Finally booked the surgery!

[Showtime620]

Nice! I'm pleased that you guys are doing well!   

Greatlakes, hearing that you're up and around, doing things comfortably is a wonderful step!   How is the neck doing?  I'm sure the bruising will lighten soon!  How's that healthy diet going? I'm sure that it's benefitting your healing.   As for those 'activities', surely you must feel more comfortable with a big bruis than with a big set of boobies! Tell ya what, I suspect that after my wounds are healed and I'm back in 'action', I'm gonna be like Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, posing in the mirror during these 'activities'.   :-)

Cross - How is your patient shape out going?  Anything shaping in the right direction? Or kind of stagnant at this point?  That's awesome that you were playnig softball with ease! Very cool!    The t-shirt thing is a very happy note! Man, that's great.  I can't WAIT to do that - hopefully I won't be pinching my nipples out of habit!   18.5 inch arms?!  Holy shitt.

As for my healing - today is 11 days since I went under.  I've been trying to not 'crossfit' my chest. (Yes, I've created a new word - 'Crossfit' verb. To scrutinize early, put under the microscope too soon, etc.)    :-)
However, that being said, I do have a few comments. When I went into the office on Monday which was 4 days post-op, Dr. Lo said that I could switch to under armor.  I missed the support of the vest as I each step I took hurt the chest, so I wore the vest each day until Friday. I've been wearing the under armor since, and I feel great.  Still been wearing the vest when I sleep at night, though.  Lipo holes/scars are going away nicely.  The 'hematoma' that I was worried about a few days ago is still there. Certainly not a hematoma, just tenderness along the underside of each pec, but hardly noticeable, not worth taking a picture.  When relaxed and with arms up, things seem to be shaping nicely.  I still have the issue on the right pec when I flex, seems to concave in. It's something I can live with, but I'm hoping it fills in a bit as it looks a bit odd, but again - not too bad.  What I'm anxious/worried/nervous about is the nipples.  Please note: for the my right nipple incision is still covered with the steristrips so I havent seen anything and the nipple appears to be laying flat.  The left nipple, still have the steristrips on, but I can see a TINY bit of the incision (and by tiny bit, I mean a millimeter, maybe)  which still looks not even close to healed.  The left nipples also appears to be pointing down a bit with a crease - but I'm hoping that the stitches and steristrips are causing this.  That being said, I'm eating healthier than I ever have - I think i've eating more frutis and veggies in the last ten days than I have in the last ten years COMBINED - sadly, I'm not kidding.  I've also been RELIGIOUS about drinking tons of water, lemon juice, and APPLE CIDER VINEGAR - which is gross, but supposed to be an amazing healer, or so I've read.  I've also been taking a multivitamin everyday, glutamine and BCAAs to encourage healing and health.  I'm going back to see Dr. Lo today at noon for my second post-op follow up.  I plan to ask about my concaved flexed chest and what I can do to heal scars as nicely as possiblly and see what he says.  Hopefully he thinks everything looks good.  Man, I can't wait to do a push-up. I can't wait to really STRETCH my chest and shoulders.   I can't wait for summer!  And I really can't wait to wear those comfy, loose fitting, plain t-shirts. (without having to pinch my silly looking pointy titties.)   :-)

[crossfit99]

Nice!-- You're gonna be fine Show, I could tell my nips were being sucked down with the sterile strips on, if you're laying flat now, its only gonna get better.

TBH, I am pretty stagnant. I think my only hope of improving the look is losing bodyfat and toning up my upper chest. I honestly think the right will prob be ok, but my left crease...well, i highly doubt it comes out without either a kenalog shot to help the scar tissue at the issue site, or lipo on the upper part of my nip. Even with a shirt there is a SLIGHT puff nip look on my left, but NOTHING like it was pre-op. I am just playing the waiting game and really gonna try to get in shape.

It's funny as I stand if front of the mirror, if I roll my shoulders back and really try to puff out my chest,  the creases are gone. Chest looks great, but I look like a d-bag with my chest all  puffed out. With that being said i do think I can push my shoulders back and stand up a tad bit more straight on a day-to-day basis. I think all the years of having the moobs has jacked with my posture. Somewhere between the over zealous chest puff, and how I stood pre-op wold be a fair compromise.


Time is the only thing that will tell, we shall see.

[Showtime620]

Update.  Had my meeting with Dr. Lo. at 12.  Been eating lunch and getting ready for a 2pm call, which I'm on now and have some time to type!   I took off my under armor, he lifted each arm and poked around.  He then took tweezers and peeled off the sterilestrips.  I don't really know how to view the incision scars at this point; I mean, they look like 11 day old deep cuts so I really can't judge, but Dr. Lo said that he thinks they will heal beautifully - Hopefully he's right.  He seems quite pleased with how everything is progressing at this point.  When I asked about the slight concavity I have, he said that it was normal and wouldn't look so defined once the swelling underneath my chest subsided, which I guess is a good point.   I told him that I was wearing the vest at night still and he said that unless I wanted to save it as a souvenier that I could throw it out! Which was awesome to hear.  So at night, I can wear underarmor if I want or nothing - which is also awesome. (Still going to wear under armor during the day, though, for two more weeks, I'll probably wear it though for as long as I can though until it starts to get too hot.  I didn't ask about the left nipple crease as I'm hoping it will work itself out.  If not, I'll ask him about it at my next appointment - one month from today.  Left nip is a BIT pointed down, I think due to the crease, but they both seem to be laying flat as of right now.  He said that I can start lifting LIGHTLY at 3 weeks - so April 13th.   Also said that if I want I can buy scar cream in the band-aid aisle, but didn't really push.  However, as you all know, I care about the scars greatly so I'll be researching some products!   have you guys heard of any particular products that are supposed to be good?

Overall, it was a good follow up, but now it's REALLY time to start getting in shape for the summer.  Need to lose at least 20 pounds by june 20th!

PS - Anybody want my vest??!?!?!    :-)

[greatlakes]

showtime 620, that's great you can dump the vest so early. And burn that vest, we know you did not wash it !

My appointment the other day, my doctor and his nurse were also saying I would heal beautifully - but slowly - 2 months they said before I would be happy. Nurse stayed again after doctor left (she is nice). The nurse continued to reassure me that when I was done on operating table my chest was flat, and looked great and that I am seeing all swelling. She also reminded me again that they took out 1250CC of mixed tissue in my chest, and 120(or 150cc ?) of fat in my neck which she says was really alot for them to get. So she said I am going to see noticeable results in both places over the next 2-3 months as things heal and decrease in swelling.

Doctor did say wait till 4 weeks before I hit the gym again. Originally he had hoped at 2 weeks. I want to hit one size lower in pant size by fall.

[crossfit99]

Good news fellas!


I got back in the gym yesterday, did some back+bi's and 25mins on the stair master. WOW am I sore today lol.. felt great to get back in there, it will be a month or so before I start to return to form though.


Still pretty depressing when I take my shirt off. All I can do is wait it out, but man; these creases don't seem to be going anywhere. I can now deal with everything, but the creases. The slight indentation is OK, the slight puffyness on the top part of nips, OK..but the creases just really F up my appearance. Even the Wife is feeling for me. She knew how bad I wanted this surgery, knew how anal I was on choosing a surgeon; she wanted Dr Corbin. Her Mom, friends, etc etc have all gotten breast augs along with other PS done and swore by him.

In retrospect the 'non board certified' ps I FIRST had my consultation with (1k cheaper) would have been the guy. He explained it was all a piece of cake, lipo then remove only a portion of the gland; and he REALLY stressed the importance of not removing too much. Where as Corbin made it sound like he's been doing this so long I had nothing to worry about. News flash to him, my chest looks like shit. It's up to me to get in tip top shape to try and mask his shitty job, but it's my only option for now.

I can honestly say that the whole 'board certified PS' is a crock. Unless being BC guarnatees a great job with a free revision if need be, why the hell fork out the extra money. My advice to any and everybody would be go with the doc that seems to care and tells you all the right things. Do not go with some guy just bc his name. Corbin never took  his time with me, rushed me in and out, tried to get me for $8700(!!!) until I worked him down to $5k (this should have been the biggest red flag). Even on surgery day I never saw him post op..He just kinda yelled out "we gotta lotta tissue out" as I was rolled into recovery. Ay yiyi, what a pain this has turned out to be!

Happy healing fellas.

[Showtime620]

Good stuff, GL.  Ps - the vest doesn't smell THAT shittyy!  Gonna need to invest in some new underarmor!   But man, for what it is - spandex, essentially, I never knew how EXPENSIVE under armor was!  Obviously, having titties has always precluded me from wearing under armor, so I'm learn just how much this garbage costs!  Any ideas of where to get this cheaper?!

Glad to hear that you're lifting again, Cross, even if lightly.  Do you have any updated pictures of the creases?  Mine seem pretty bad right now, too. But I'm just hoping that they'll eventually work their way out.  I'm curious to see how crummy yours are looking.

You should make a post on here cautioning people about Corbin if his work really is as bad as you say it is.

[crossfit99]

Good stuff, GL.  Ps - the vest doesn't smell THAT shittyy!  Gonna need to invest in some new underarmor!   But man, for what it is - spandex, essentially, I never knew how EXPENSIVE under armor was!  Obviously, having titties has always precluded me from wearing under armor, so I'm learn just how much this garbage costs!  Any ideas of where to get this cheaper?!

Glad to hear that you're lifting again, Cross, even if lightly.  Do you have any updated pictures of the creases?  Mine seem pretty bad right now, too. But I'm just hoping that they'll eventually work their way out.  I'm curious to see how crummy yours are looking.

You should make a post on here cautioning people about Corbin if his work really is as bad as you say it is.

Not even down for pics man. Looks shitty, that's all that needs to be known. Pretty much the same as my first pics, maybe slightly better in 1 aspect, worse in another type of thing.

I actually did, in the 'Ask a doc' section. Wrote out a long post in regards to the whole 'board certified' bs. Which is exactly what it is. Another way for a doc to get more $$$ outta you.

[greatlakes]

Any ideas of where to get this cheaper?!

I just buy most of my stuff from Amazon. I need V neck undershirts for my work atire. I bought one under-works v neck for 32.99 and one Spanx model 610 (doctor recommended) for $58 bucks.

I am sticking with my phase 1 vest till the end of 4 weeks due my hemotoma.

[greatlakes]

crossfit99,


I am sorry for the way this has gone down, you are pretty far into post op time frame now, and I hoped you would have achieved all you wanted.

If I were to have posted my pics (which I wont openly) from the first week - last 7 days - some here may have told me to call a lawyer or would have puked in their morning coffee. I am extending blind trust and faith right now that what I have been told by doc and nurse on how I will look in 2-3 months will be true. I did my research as well like you. The Doc has all the certifications, the press, former president of the Chicago chapter, references from my two primary care doctors, etc... but Honestly my decision was based on the preop and my comfort with him personally. Since then he has been a bit rushed in my checkups, but he does not seem arrogant or dismissive like your guy. He did all the procedures I asked - lipo, grinder, sides... total nuke. I guess all I have now is did he do it all well?

Before you start saving your money up and make plans, I would go for second opinion (and maybe a third) with a doctor of your choosing. I know that in 2 months if I am still unhappy or concerned that I have not moved in the right direction of healing - that's what I will do.

[crossfit99]

crossfit99,


I am sorry for the way this has gone down, you are pretty far into post op time frame now, and I hoped you would have achieved all you wanted.

If I were to have posted my pics (which I wont openly) from the first week - last 7 days - some here may have told me to call a lawyer or would have puked in their morning coffee. I am extending blind trust and faith right now that what I have been told by doc and nurse on how I will look in 2-3 months will be true. I did my research as well like you. The Doc has all the certifications, the press, former president of the Chicago chapter, references from my two primary care doctors, etc... but Honestly my decision was based on the preop and my comfort with him personally. Since then he has been a bit rushed in my checkups, but he does not seem arrogant or dismissive like your guy. He did all the procedures I asked - lipo, grinder, sides... total nuke. I guess all I have now is did he do it all well?

Before you start saving your money up and make plans, I would go for second opinion (and maybe a third) with a doctor of your choosing. I know that in 2 months if I am still unhappy or concerned that I have not moved in the right direction of healing - that's what I will do.

Thanks man. It really is a kick in the nuts. This was the year man, this was the year I thought I could stroll down to the pool with my son on warm days without a second thought. I thought i'd actually be able to go to the river/lake and not have to stay submerged in water or rush to get a tank top on.  It's tough man.

As far as another opinion, it would really suck cause I'd be looking at another 3k+ for lipo, where as my current guy would do it for much less. I do think he's capable, I just think he got ahead of his self. The truth is I don't think he wants me roaming the streets speaking bad about him, or loading up on all the review sites and letting him have it...Though, I just may be another fly on the wall for him; that remains to be seen. He mentioned lipo under local, which (on a total guess) should be under 1k. When I asked about the lipo he just said "significantly less", which is still bs to me; I feel surgeons should honor their work. Let's be honest, these guys are filthy f'n rich, if they do a sub-par job they should come outta pocket to make it right.


I am sure you'll be fine man. I knew RIGHT away that something wasn't right. I've done my best to stay optimistic, but I knew from the first time I looked down that I had some issues.

Keep us posted on your recovery.


edit: another reason why I knew it was jacked up was because the indentations/folds.. Not because it looked puffy or like he didn't take enough. The guys worried about the PS not taking enough typically work out fine, its these folds/dents that don't seem to work their way out all that well. Once they take too much you're in a whole nother world of trouble..When I lift my arms and feel around, I can feel med-big dents craters around in there. Ever where there isn't fat, it's pretty much solid muscle (when arms up) you feel it swoop in..This isn't gonna just fix itself, and that's the tough pill to swallow.

[Showtime620]

Good point about the price.  Please please please do your best to stay positive and not dwell on it, easier said that done.  I'm hoping and praying that your body will fill itself out.

[crossfit99]

Good point about the price.  Please please please do your best to stay positive and not dwell on it, easier said that done.  I'm hoping and praying that your body will fill itself out.

Yea, I am pretty good. 98% of my life is consumed with my shirt on, so it is what it is in that regard. The only time I get pretty upset is going in/out of the shower. I try to be positive hoping it looks better that night when I go to get in/out of the shower, but so far no dice.

All I care about right now is training and getting into shape.

What a bad National Championship Game last night, huh?

[greatlakes]

this is only my two cents.....Your probably going to spend about $125 bucks to get an evaluation from another doc. From that,the new doc can confirm your view, or not confirm your view that it was not done properly. If the second doc thinks you do need revisions - he can offer food for thought such as how he would revise you (what kind of lipo and where), and what he would charge....... Then armed with this expert information, you could go back to your doc and have a more "backed up" voice for the revision (if that's what the second or third doc say). Having a second or third opinion from another doc would might also help with the negotiations for lipo with your first guy. I worry that there is no way your getting in and out of a second procedure (even just lipo) for a grand.  You don't have to bad mouth your doc to the second doc, simply bring photos and express your concerns in a calm manner, and ask for what he thinks and what if anything he would do to make you look the way you wish.

So $125 bucks is all I am talking now. From posts I have seen here from Docs, they are used to seeing unhappy patients from other docs work.

[Showtime620]

Yes man.  That game really was zero fun to watch.

[crossfit99]

this is only my two cents.....Your probably going to spend about $125 bucks to get an evaluation from another doc. From that,the new doc can confirm your view, or not confirm your view that it was not done properly. If the second doc thinks you do need revisions - he can offer food for thought such as how he would revise you (what kind of lipo and where), and what he would charge....... Then armed with this expert information, you could go back to your doc and have a more "backed up" voice for the revision (if that's what the second or third doc say). Having a second or third opinion from another doc would might also help with the negotiations for lipo with your first guy. I worry that there is no way your getting in and out of a second procedure (even just lipo) for a grand.  You don't have to bad mouth your doc to the second doc, simply bring photos and express your concerns in a calm manner, and ask for what he thinks and what if anything he would do to make you look the way you wish.

So $125 bucks is all I am talking now. From posts I have seen here from Docs, they are used to seeing unhappy patients from other docs work.

Yea, that definitely sounds like solid advice. I will definitely do that here in a couple months if things don't change.. Appreciate it.