To all contributors and visitors.
Here’s my story…At age 9 I remember getting some almighty stabbing chest pains. I told my doctor but he put it down to indigestion. A shame some adults don’t take kids seriously. I later (as an adult) realised that these were mild autism related fits.
I started secondary school when I was 11 and on the first day in my new class I met a girl and instantly experienced my first love…at first sight. Now how do I ask her out? I’m from a different culture, religion, ethnicity, low income family. The beginnings of some childhood worries...Damn, I hate being right.
It took me a year to build up the courage to speak to her but like a mule everything I tried to say to her came out garbled. I remember once asking her why she had hairy arms in biology class. A classic ‘Sheldon’ moment. (‘Big Bang Theory’ if you ever watch it) and not to mention my mum’s knitted sweater I wore to that year’s disco! Honestly, in that year while Michael J Fox was trying to go back to the future I was permanently stuck in the past. (Note to any immigrant parents…when in Rome…)
Over the summer holidays I grew a couple of inches taller and a breast size larger. Erm. What is going on? I went to see my doctor as I had a cold and he checked my breathing and noticed my rounded chest and enlarged itchy nipples. He referred me for a biopsy thinking it might be malignant. I’m 13; how the darn do I know what malignant means??
A visit to the hospital and two large incisions with 10 stitches later and I still have the boobs. Seems a biopsy is just a tissue sample and the NHS in all their wisdom decided to leave the gland all in there. When I went to see the consultant a few weeks later he noticed the boobs still present and I shit you not…he tried to remove it via a six inch needle. Suffice it to say it was of little success and was the first time I suffered shock. Albeit I recognised it as shock as an adult looking back. I went back again to see another consultant 2 weeks later and she simply said there was no cure. Just like some women have small and large breasts so do men. No cure? I’m fucked.
I finished off the last 3 years of school getting out of football, cross country or any sports that involved using the showers. I was good at football too. I was a Bruce Lee fan but never took up my love of martial arts. Although I had a healthy interest in women (remember those Paul Raymond days…hehe) I just couldn’t get past the nightmare scenario of being in the cinema and it’s the girl who grabs my breast!!
I left school and although I never got the girl my chest pains stopped. Amazing that some good can come out of some heartache…but regret is something that stays with you. Wish I had more courage back then.
Anyway college and University brought about a new regime of body building. A way to hide my boobs…but no matter what I tried all my friends would say that my chest was sticking out too much.
Luckily I was in good enough shape and managed to get married to a wonderful woman and life takes over. Kids, work, house etc. To be honest my boobs became less of an issue especially as my wife didn’t seem to notice so I just let myself go a bit and it helped to hide the boobs. It was almost acceptable to be fat with boobs rather than medium sized with boobs.
But although I became thick skinned to all the nasty passing comments one thing did affect me. I didn’t want to be an embarrassment to my kids. So for the past 5 years I have been visiting this site and reading all your experiences for which I am greatly thankful for. I finally had the opportunity to go for the procedure and just wanted to make sure I could find someone with the gift of healing.
Two months ago I made an appointment to see
Dr. Karidis.
My ProcedureI am 38, 5ft 10 and 16 stone with heavy gynae (gland and fat).
Dr. Karidis did not see this as a major issue and even suggested doing my sides (where the breast goes under the armpit). He was of course right. I didn’t really have any questions as purely meeting him was sufficient for me to know he was a genuine person. I know some people on her have said he makes lots of money but personally I didn’t sense that as his primary reason for doing what he does.
His staff are impeccable and kept me updated regularly. I had my bloods done on the same day. However my bloods came back with low ratio of clotting. The nurse was lovely and went through what I was taking. Turns out that a vitamin I was taking for joint repair (I sprained my ankle a while back) was thinning my blood. I was taking Glucosamine Sulphate daily. I stopped and two weeks later had bloods done again and was fine.
I booked in for May 15th and was cared for by the hospital staff who were again fantastic. I was prepped and noticed the anaesthetist putting a needle in my hand (didn’t feel it just observed him. Then I observed him doing it again to my other hand. I was getting annoyed so asked when would I be going in for the op. Turns out I had already had it and was in recovery. WOW!
Anyway got the train home and the next day took the dressing off. I had two incisions to my nipples (one on each side) and a total of six sutures. Hmm must have been a lot of fat and gland. Will find out when I see
Dr. Karidis in 6 weeks. I replaced the plasters over the sutures with waterproof ones but had to leave gauze on the nipple areas since they were still slightly oozing. I will replace with waterproof plaster tomorrow.
Pain is manageable with co-dydramol (although I was also prescribed Tremadol but found it too strong) but I noticed it more after I removed the heavy dressing. My chest area is surprisingly clear and can see no bruising although it is numb to the touch. Maybe it will come out in the next few days. Anyway I am very happy with the procedure as I am flat for the first time in 25 years. Just need to work on my belly now and sense a change in lifestyle coming on. Hopefully a healthier one. The wife is impressed and I hope the recovery goes well (lots of useful and clear info from
Dr. Karidis’ office on expectations which I really liked) so I can get down to the seaside with the kids.
Anything else? I should have waxed/trimmed my chest (although I did shave my armpits) as the dressing was a sod to take off.
Other than that it was worth it and in the words of
Dr. Karidis’ PA; Nicola, ‘it is never too late.’
I hope my story inspires someone to consider surgery and thank you for reading.
Topic: Surgery with Dr. Karidis (Tuesday May 15th) (Read 2688 times)
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