probably the same 'ol thing...

[large302]

Hey everyone, im 23 and ive had the problem for as long as i can remember.. even when i was a normal weight in high school..  I cant really remember a time that i didnt have larger than normal breasts....  

I just found this site today.. and I can say that i do feel slightly better about my particular situation after seeing some other cases..  Unfortunately though, having gynecomastia has pretty much destroyed my self esteem and I feel its had a huge impact on my personality and the way I carry myself around other people. (its actually facinating to think about how something like this could effect a person in such a way)

Now that ive spent over an hour rummaging through the site.. i can see that surgery is a good option. I can probably afford it... eventually.. but for now im going to try to lose weight and get back down to around 180 to see how it goes (im 215 now).  Im also planning on investigating estrogen blockers like 6-OXO and tamoxifen.  It seems taht 6-OXO is safe.. but i hear different stories about tamoxifen and its effects on the liver etc etc..  Im about 90% sure that these will be ineffective... but at least i can say i tried.  Anyone else tried similar products?

Anyways.. heres my pics.. I dont know if im really looking for advise or what.... i dont know if theres much to really be said..  It actally feels good for someone to see them other than myself and gf, who frustratingly says i have nothing to worry about and that theres nothing there...  One of the most frustrating things about gynecomastia is that people who dont suffer from it can and will never understand how it really is..  

I dont think ive ever had my shirt off around anyone else in about 7 or 8 years..  Hopefully ill be able to have surgury someday..   damn college education !!!

http://www.infernalarts.com/x/

[Recreating]

Welcome to the boards.
Glad you can feel some comfort.

I think personally you're a lot better off than a lot of others, if that helps any.

[Gine2D]

You asked.

"nothing to worry about and that theres nothing there...  "

Lost 20 pounds.  It looks like fat to me.  
I have Gyne 40D.

Do not take a substance to change your hormones, if you do not know what levels they are at to start with.

See and endo & get the Male/Female hormone tests first..

[Daveo]

From the pictures I'd say that it's worse on the right side than on the left.  Would that be accurate?  

I would definitely try to shed a few before trying surgery, and I agree that you should get your levels checked before trying any drugs.

[large302]

actually my left side is the worse side...  i think the mirror is throwing you off...  

i just got out of kaiser and am now on blue cross in CA.  so what do you reccomend i do to get my levels checked?  Do i just ask for a referral?  I dont know if i have bad luck or whatever..  but I always have a really difficult time convincing docs to give me referrals to specialists..  maybe that was just kaiser....  hopefully..

[jc71]

I agree that the right side looks worse.  I know, it's probably the left side because of the mirror.  Even when you hold the camera in the other hand, it looks worse. I don't think it looks that bad, but I get a feeling that it looks worse in person than it does in these photos. Maybe because of the raised arm with the camera, i don't know. It obviously has effected you psychologically if you haven't had your shirt off around others in 7-8 years. Yeah, see an endocrinologist who specializes in reproductive issues.  There's several endo threads on these boards, especially in the "gynecomastia talk" section.   It's nice that you have a supportive girlfriend.  My wife is very supportive too and it certainly helps.

[vaio]

It matches the surrounding area. Looked normal for you body. Try losing 10+ pounds and see if the chest fat goes away. If it stays, look into lipo.

[rcbrown23]

I have to agree that it really does not look bad at all. From the photos it seems to match your body type.

I also have a pretty mild case. It bothers me mentally, A LOT...but I still go out boating and beaching and what not. Most people do not notice...some people notice they stick out a little bit, but don't care and don't say anything...and every once in awhile I get a comment about it (It's only happened 3 times in 10 years)

I am getting (another) operation because it bothers me so much mentally. But I'll bet you'd have the same reactions, or lack there of, if you went out to the beach or pool. Go out and  sit on the beach for a day, and I'll bet no one will notice anything but you...

I agree with the "shedding a few" before operation, also.

Good luck---welcome to the boards. There's a sh!tload of information here, just look around or ask questions.

                           -Brown

[Spleen]

I think you look pretty good, but I doo see the assymetry.  Get yourself in shape first.  I think that will help the doc make better choices when he or she has to do their thing.

[headheldhigh01]

yeah lose the 20, but it's not going to make the gyne disappear, so check into those preliminaries too.  

[Kevin]

Of course its recommended to lose weight but if its really gyne with breast tissues then loosing weight really doesn't make the breast tissues go away. I have walked for a month dropping to about 10-12% body fat and I still have these breasts.

Now if you have a problem with breasts in men and it affects your quality of life like I do then get the surgery. For me the risk associated with living with gyne for the rest of my life far outweighs the risk associated with gyne surgery.

[Grandpa Bambu]

large302....

Consult a PS. If he/she says thay you have Gyne, go for the surgery.

Loosing weight if you have a few pounds to shed is always a good thing. However, it may not cure your Gyne condition. I am 6 foot tall at 210 lbs. and have had Gyne since about 10 years old. I dropped down to 148 lbs. in the very early 1990's. My Gyne did decrease in size but did not disappear completely. Actually, it was more noticeable when I was 148 lbs. than it is now at 210lbs, even though my moobs are larger.

Yes, Gyne affects your whole way of life. It affects you emotionally, psychologically, it can have an affect on how you dress, where you go and when. Gyne can affect social relationships and ones sex life. Gyne can shatter your self-esteem. Gyne can lead to depression and for some, thoughts of suicide.    All ya wanna do is to crawl under a rock and die...

Your GF says that  "you have nothing to worry about and that there's nothing there... ". How would a woman feel if she grew a scrotum with a set of big testicles at puberty and had to live with them for several years or longer. I'm sure she would want those puppies removed ASAP!!! She wouldn't be able to go to the beach without being teased and laughed at. She would avoid sports/ativities where a public change room was involved. She would always wear skirts/dresses to hide the deformity. My wife too says that there is nothing wrong with my chest. However, she knows how I feel about my Gyne and is very supportive of my decision to have surgery.

"One of the most frustrating things about gynecomastia is that people who dont suffer from it can and will never understand how it really is.."

Right on brother! Unless someone has the condition, they will never know the pain that we have to edure every day of our lives.    

Just curious....  How tall are you?

BTW.... Nice Tat!!!  

[large_302]

thanks i will take everyone's advise to heart!  Good luck to you all..