Am I Too Fat For Surgery?

[trapwire]

Hi everyone,

After almost 15 years of living with this horrible thing, I decided to finally deal with G once and for all.

A little bit of backstory: I was always a bit overweight, although not straight-out fat. A few years ago I got really depressed and balooned to about 270 pounds.

Since last year I started losing weight by exercising and eating well, and I am now at 220 pounds. My breasts, however, remain really big and embarassing, and even though I'm much better conditioned right now I still can't bring myself to practice outdoor sports, swim, run, etc. because I am terrified of having to wear t-shirts in public.

I went to a medic and he told me that I have true Gyno and that surgery is recommended if I want to get rid of the breasts. But since I've been losing weight, he recommended that I wait until I'm lighter to do the surgery.

My current goal is to be at 198 in June and 176 in December.

The big question here is: I know that getting the surgery now would give me a HUGE boost in confidence that could help me be even more active and motivated to take care of myself. However, there is a risk that I'd maybe need a second surgery down the road.

Money is not a problem since my health care covers a good part of the procedure.

What would you do if you were me? Should I wait a little more, since I have already lived for so much time with this nightmare? Or just do it and embrace a "new me" that will help improve every other aspect of my life?

Here is a current picture of me:

[ha032742]

Further weight loss before going for surgery would give a better result in my opinion. A lot of the doctors on here including Dr Jacobs recommend reaching a stable weight first.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Hey man!

Congrats on your weight loss!  I'm sure you feel much better already compared to when you were 270 lbs.

If a dr (that knows what he's talking about) told you that you have true G, meaning not only the obvious fat but gland tissues also, then your only option to completely remove it would be surgery.  You should also be able to feel the gland under the fat when you press and play around the breast hard enough.  It has a very different texture. 

I know how you feel and I know you really want to get rid of the G, like right NOW!  But you don't really want to do something that makes you regret down the road. 

If I were you, I would:

1) Make a goal of going shirtless in summer of 2016.
2) Stick to the plan and goal to loose the weight and celebrate NYE of 2016 at 176 lbs.  It's really hard but possible.
3) Save money.  Remember, even if your insurance pays for the surgery, plastic surgeons that are specialized in G surgery don't generally want to deal with the hassle of insurance.  And I wouldn't blame them.
4) Toward the end of 2016, start talking to a few board certified plastic surgeons that are specialized in gynecomastia correction.

Be prepared to hear about skin laxity due to weight loss when you're talking with surgeons.  There should be discussions about doing or not doing skin tightening.

Good luck!
---Bobby

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Congratulations on your plan to lose weight -- you will be much healthier.  Would strongly recommend getting down to your lowest and most stable weight before embarking on surgery for gynecomastia. Do not, though, create a goal which is unattainable -- be realistic.  However, be prepared for some lax skin (due to your prior overweight stretching out the skin) and low placed nipples.  When you are ready, then be sure to find a gyne specialist in your area or be prepared to travel.

Dr Jacobs

[s00ntobe]

keep losing weight forsure, I looked like you at one point and now i'm almost normal. The fat from the chest/belly usually go last so it's only normal that you're not seeing much of a difference. You will see a difference in your chest, the fat will diminish but the tissue will remain.

[Era]

Congratulations on your plan to lose weight -- you will be much healthier.  Would strongly recommend getting down to your lowest and most stable weight before embarking on surgery for gynecomastia. Do not, though, create a goal which is unattainable -- be realistic.  However, be prepared for some lax skin (due to your prior overweight stretching out the skin) and low placed nipples.  When you are ready, then be sure to find a gyne specialist in your area or be prepared to travel.

Dr Jacobs

In regards to low placed nipples i had my surgery done at 6ft and 180lbs but i still feel like my nipples are really low. It doesn't help having 0 chest muscle. Are there any surgerys without horrible super obvious scarring that can raise the nipples to normal height.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Can't comment without photos.  Have you already had surgery??

Dr Jacobs

[jal26]

I am in a similar situation. When I was 18 and 160lbs, 5'10", was diagnosed and had a mamogram which embarased the hell out of me. Weight up to 260 now at 57, finally can afford surgery but I dont know what to do. Depressed all my life, hate my body at any weight. I never participatec in any sports because of fear of having to shower. I would never go without a shirt in public under any circumstance.

Picture looks like me at lower weight but my breasts are a bit larger.