Doctor will not give me referral. Says it's not "enough"

[craftspace234]

I went to my doctor a week ago about my gyno. I have some pics below.

I wanted to get a referral for a surgeon. My doctor however refuses to give me one. He states that my gyno is not that big and that I should give it time. Until 23/24 years old. (I'm 19 by the way)

I told him I've had it my whole life and it is really bothering me. He suggest that I wait until I am done with puberty. Around the age of 23/24 and if it is still a concern, I could get surgery.

I am 19 years old. Am I just being paranoid about this and should just wait till I am in my 20's to get surgery? It really is bothering me but idk. What do you guys suggest?

[hammer]

Do a self referral. I've done that with most of my health care at the University of Minnesota and at the VA now. It has work for me after all who know you better then you? My primary care providers have never had a problem with this, but it is the insurance company you have to work around.


BTW, it's not up to the doctor to decide if it's enough or not, it's your body, not his!

[cduub]

Thats not going away dont waste no more years of your life dealing with the inevitable.........

[craftspace234]

Thats not going away dont waste no more years of your life dealing with the inevitable.........

I mean who knows. I think it possible it could go away after puberty and my body balances out its hormones.

Even if it does though, I don't wait to wait 5 years for that to happen.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Sorry, but I disagree with your doctor.  First, you do have a fairly good sized gyne.  Second, if you have had it for many years, it will not magically disappear in another five years. 

Gynecomastia surgery is rarely, if ever, covered by insurance.  Would suggest you do some careful research, find an experienced gyne specialist in your area (or consider traveling if necessary)and then decide if you wish to have the operation.

Best of luck to you.

Dr Jacobs

[craftspace234]

Sorry, but I disagree with your doctor.  First, you do have a fairly good sized gyne.  Second, if you have had it for many years, it will not magically disappear in another five years. 

Gynecomastia surgery is rarely, if ever, covered by insurance.  Would suggest you do some careful research, find an experienced gyne specialist in your area (or consider traveling if necessary)and then decide if you wish to have the operation.

Best of luck to you.

Dr Jacobs

Ok I'm confused. I have heard from several other people that gyne can go away after puberty since the hormones should balance out after that. Puberty being anywhere from 21-24.

Is that a myth?

[cduub]

Sorry, but I disagree with your doctor.  First, you do have a fairly good sized gyne.  Second, if you have had it for many years, it will not magically disappear in another five years. 

Gynecomastia surgery is rarely, if ever, covered by insurance.  Would suggest you do some careful research, find an experienced gyne specialist in your area (or consider traveling if necessary)and then decide if you wish to have the operation.

Best of luck to you.

Dr Jacobs

Ok I'm confused. I have heard from several other people that gyne can go away after puberty since the hormones should balance out after that. Puberty being anywhere from 21-24.

Is that a myth?
The Dr. as well as I who has had this problem are telling you that it wont go away,your 19 years old!!!!! Get the surgery and get on with your life,dont let it linger like some of us have.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

There is no rush to get surgery.  If you are convinced that your hormones will even out and that your gyne will disappear on its own, then wait for it to do so.  Just bear in mind, the vast majority of guys on this forum will testify to the contrary.

Good luck!

Dr Jacobs

[Paa_Paw]

There are many examples of General Practice Physicians being wrong about Gynecomastia. You may need to do as Hammer says and self-refer to a cosmetic surgeon.

The doctors, like Dr. Jacobs, Who contribute to this site; have a clearly demonstrated special interest in  this condition. I would accept the word of Dr. Jacobs as being above reproach. You could pay dearly and not get a more realistic opinion.

[craftspace234]

There is no rush to get surgery.  If you are convinced that your hormones will even out and that your gyne will disappear on its own, then wait for it to do so.  Just bear in mind, the vast majority of guys on this forum will testify to the contrary.

Good luck!

Dr Jacobs

What do you personally think? Is it possible it could go away on its own in a couple a years after puberty? If so, how likely is that to happen?

I'm not arguing with anyone. I'm asking.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

What do I personally think?  I think you will wait in vain a few more years until you convince yourself that it will not disappear spontaneously -- then you will seek help.  And then you will kick yourself for having "wasted" those years.

Dr Jacobs

[cduub]

The Dr. as well as I who has had this problem are telling you that it wont go away,your 19 years old!!!!! Get the surgery and get on with your life,dont let it linger like some of us have.

[craftspace234]

What do I personally think?  I think you will wait in vain a few more years until you convince yourself that it will not disappear spontaneously -- then you will seek help.  And then you will kick yourself for having "wasted" those years.

Dr Jacobs

Well I am gonna have to wait regardless of what I think because I do not even have the money for surgery right now.

But as soon as I get the money, I will most likely just go straight to surgery.

Im just wondering why all my doctors told me it would go away after my hormones balance out.

I guess thats just a myth then

The Dr. as well as I who has had this problem are telling you that it wont go away,your 19 years old!!!!! Get the surgery and get on with your life,dont let it linger like some of us have.

Ok Yeah I probably will.

And what about me being 19? Is that like too young or old or something?

[jay adams]

I wish I would've had surgery at 19 instead of 37. I guess it depends on how long you can live this way. People have surgery at 19. And also, when I was 19 my gyne wasn't as bad as yours. I have a thread on here called " one week post op pics " and you can see how it can progress as you get older.

[cduub]

What do I personally think?  I think you will wait in vain a few more years until you convince yourself that it will not disappear spontaneously -- then you will seek help.  And then you will kick yourself for having "wasted" those years.

Dr Jacobs

Well I am gonna have to wait regardless of what I think because I do not even have the money for surgery right now.

But as soon as I get the money, I will most likely just go straight to surgery.

Im just wondering why all my doctors told me it would go away after my hormones balance out.

I guess thats just a myth then

The Dr. as well as I who has had this problem are telling you that it wont go away,your 19 years old!!!!! Get the surgery and get on with your life,dont let it linger like some of us have.

Ok Yeah I probably will.

And what about me being 19? Is that like too young or old or something?

No It just mean that you are young but also an adult and the puberty stage with gyno is pretty much over. If it didnt go away by now chances are it wont. Read Dr Jacobs advise and proceed on dont wait till your 30's like most of us have. I just had the surgery done and its slowly changing my life,my only regret is that I got it done sooner.