i have to go with a different form of advice here...
Yes, gyno is crippleing. But it is a superficial condition. IT has many psycholoogical components to it, but nonetheless.. it is still a superficial condition. People like you suffer from body dysmorphic disorder. Yes, you might have gyno.. But that does not make you some kind of freak...
Also i firmly believe people who get this worked about about gyno will eventually develope some other thing to get worked up over.
my advice. Yes get surgery. But also get psychological help.
Sorry but I have to take issue here, what you are saying is complete rubbish!!!!!!
First of all;
BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) like anorexia is about seeing something that other people do not. It is where there is a gap between reality and the individuals own perception and thoughts of themselves.
Whereas if gynecomastia exists, particularly if it is significant; the individual is dealing with a very real physical/cosmetic issue. Much the same way that other people have to deal with other cosmetic issues on the same level such as people who have very large noses or unsightly burns or facial injuries etc.
The point is the problem is real and the psychological issues resultant from the physical issue. This is a world away from BDD. So on that count you are just plain wrong.
Second of all I can say I have been greatly and negatively psychologically affected by significant gynecomastia quite late in life and I can say for an absolute fact that I never had any psychological issue with myself prior to the gynecomastia development.
Now it has been removed by surgery I will not start looking for problems now that it has been removed.
Again I say you are confusing BDD with genuine problems that result from gynecomastia and I think your assertion regarding psychology is to be quite frank far to black and white and is child like psychology.
It is psychobable, you are talking out of your hat and are not remotely qualified to make these assertions.
Last of all what is worth noting is this;
Prior to my significant development of gynecomastia at the age of 28, I was treated fairly well by the general public. However after its development I noticed that I was treated quite poorly by differing groups of people.
This was not in my head or some daft perception but a very real fact.
Post op (only at the three week mark) I have noticed already even at this stage that those same people have started to treat me considerably better.
Presumably as a result of a better impression that they now have of me.
So it should be noted that surgical removal of significant gynecomastia also can remove the predjudices that other people enforce upon sufferers.
All this said and done, I agree that a "up yours" attitude helps and certainly it helps to be "less sensitive" when living with gynecomastia.
In fact for people who are less sensitive and naturally have this attitude, living with gynecomastia is very real option and one that may appeal to such people.
The importance here is not to jude, not to try and force people into going for surgery by implying they are odd for not wanting surgery and likewise not implying that those that decide to have surgery are somehow weak for taking such a decision.
In reference to how other people have their own predjudices.
Try and get work as a tennis coach with significant gynecomastia and see how many jocks knock you back and decide to go with another coach ont he basis of your appearance- see how much money that costs you.
See how much business you loose as a lawyer/business man who is laughed at by the boys on the gold course- where deals are made.
It is very easy to talk about gynecomastia as though the only person involved is the person that has it. Unfortunately in life you deal with other peoples predjudices and perceptions as well.
Of course the most important thing in dealing with gynecomastia is how the individual feels, but do not try to just brush off the issue I have raised either because that too can be quite important.
P.S
ruinedlife- you have to try and and enjoy/strive for the life you want one way or another. On the one hand I feel for you as many here will do, but on the other hand you must not allow yourself to blame everything that doesn't work out on this issue- you have to try and make things work for you and not think things are just destined/bound to happen.
Whatever you choose to do and however you deal with your problems I wish you the best and hope that people here can help you.
Bets to ya.