I just found out about Gynecomastia Today I have soo Many Questions

[carpediem]

Ughhh where to begin? I've had weight issues for as long as i can remember. Ive had little moobs since i was a kid but I always thought that it was just because I was over weight. Back in 2002 When I left for college I lost 60lbs in 7months going from 250 to 190. I still had man boobs(for lack of better words) but I didn't worry as much because of my over all weight loss. My whole body shrunk I had gained a good amount of muscle so they were less of a worry. As I worked out more I could never get my chest right and eventually stopped working on it due to my lack of progress.... Fast forward a little bit since my initial weight loss I've fluctuated between 175lbs(at my lowest) and 215lbs(at the highest). In hindsight for the most part I was in pretty decent shape but I never felt like i was because of my protruding man breast. About 18months ago I started working out with a trainer and last year this time(summer) I was probably in the best shape of my life (I still thought I was fat at the time because of my chest). However last summer I had a death in my family and I turned to food from June 2012 til now I have gained 68lbs... For the last couple of months I have been mustering up the strength and motivation to get back on track. In march I bought a bike and started riding daily, I also stopped smoking about a month ago and yesterday I started working out with a trainer(which brings us here). Yesterday I took shirtless before pictures and it was quit the reality check, In general to see my overall weight gain I was definitely taken back but then also to see my chest specifically (I thought to myself that I actually have breast). So I started searching the internet and came across gynecomastia, as I read it described exactly what i was going through and have been going through for a long time. Ironically today I had a doctors appointment(just a check up) before I went I read a bunch of forums and watched a lot of youtube vids regarding the subject. I caught the doctor totally off guard by telling her that I'm pretty sure I have gynecomastia. Initially she said that it must be related to my weight gain but I told her that this was something that Ive been dealing with for a long time so she ordered some bloodwork for a couple of test. I don't have a follow up appointment with her until July but now that I'm aware of whats going on I want to be super proactive about fixing it. Here are a couple questions that I have their a little all over the place so Ill number them (1) my grandfather had the same thing(gyno)plus he was overweight and in the later part of his life he ad prostate cancer he started taking a shot for the cancer and his breast got pretty large so I guess my question is..... Is gyno hereditary? and is the size of the breast an indication of your testosterone and/or estrogen level? (2) Ive made an appointment with a palstic surgeon that Ive found online for later this week should I go or should I wait to hear the results from the doctor. (3) Are there any cases and/or reasons that insurance(medicaide) will pay for the procedure. (4)I can squeeze a white discharge from my right nipple from time to time...its not that often but like 3or4 time throughout the year. what is that about? (5) being that I just started working out again should I wait to lose weight before I do anything?

Those are just a few questions to start I'm sure Ill have many more I would really appreciate any feedback. I feel good to know that I'm not the only one going through this and that Its not just about weight and that there are things that I can do to fix the situation

[carpediem]

Any feedback would be highly appreciated

[hammer]

First of all, welcome to the forum, you are among friends here. We are all here for the same reason and there are a lot of men that have the same problems and there are some very fine doctors here as well that are very willing to help.

You have asked some tough questions. I know that most are best answered by doctors, but many of us have gone through what you are experiencing now. Some of us have continued to live with the enlarged breast, others have had surgery.

The discharge that you are having is most likely lactating. Yes, men do and can lactate. I did it myself as have many others here on the forum. With this going on, this would tell me that you are still developing, so surgery would be out of the question at this time.

One of the first doctors that you should see is a good endocrinologist that specializes in gynecomastia to have your hormones and many other thing checked. Yes, the hormone levels, highs, low on both testosterone (both to much, or to little) and Estragine will cause gynecomastia among other things.

Is it hereditary? I don't know, but it seems to run in my family and others here have said it as well.

I have heard that people have gotten it coverd by insurance, others have not, so it would depend on you insurance.

As for working out. That is good for you, continue no matter what, but as I said before it sounds like your still developing so you will need to wait to do anything about the beast. But in the mean time follow up with the doctor.

If you post you questions on ask a Dr. on this forum they will also reply.

Good luck and God bless,
Bob

[carpediem]

Hi bob thanks for the feedback i really appreciate it.

[jay adams]

My doc told me its not hereditary. I don't know though.
In my case I think it had to do with hormones. I was off the wall as a teenager. Very aggressive. Probably just a coincidence.haha

If you produce too much testosterone your body will produce more estrogen (in some cases). Hormones are prob one of the biggest antagonists for young teenagers.

After having surgery I had my testosterone checked and it was in the lower range. The doctor said it was prob from years of abusing my liver. (take good care of your liver). Im finally starting to understand hormones and how important they are for a balanced body and mind. Doctors shrug it off sometimes and you should def try to get your testosterone and estrogen checked.

I had that discharge when I was around 14/15. I just stopped touching my nipples cause it tripped me out. It was around that time I started noticing the development of gland under my nipples.

As far as insurance goes, everyone says it's real hard to qualify. Plus, I've read that usually you have to use doctors that aren't the best at this procedure. Please, please do yourself a favor and use a doctor that has been highly praised on this site. Its the only way to know you'll be happy afterwards. If not, it's a gamble that's not in your favor.

Good luck.

[carpediem]

I went to a plastic surgen yesterday who specializes in gyno surgery he said itll cost 6k to get the proceedure. He gave me info on medical financing,My credit isnt great so Hopefully ill qualify. He said if I pay cash itll cost $5500 which really isnt that bad. I asked him if i should focus on loosing weight before I get the surgery for better results. The doctor said that it was actually better to do it sooner than later because iots better for skin contraction when I loose the weight...I told a friend of mine and he said of couse he said that for business purposes which I guess makes sense