Gynecomastia Support Forum
International Forum => U.K. => Topic started by: Pez2 on October 30, 2012, 06:29:19 PM
-
Finally made the trip to Birmingham for the consultation this week and have decided to book in for the surgery in December :)
I'd been to a few other consultations and I must admit none of them were as impressive as Levick. I'd obviously made my decision to go to the consultation with surgery in mind, influenced by the many testimonials to him from users on here - Wingman, darkstar and fackste to name just a few.
He put me at ease immediately into the consultation. He's so experienced with this type of surgery and really knows his stuff. I didn't know he'd actually had gynecomastia surgery himself so obviously knows first hand what it's like. He showed me pictures, discussed the procedure (in detail) aswell as discussing other common methods and the advantages/disadvantages of both. He answered all my questions covering nipple collapse, leaving gland behind (which he doesn't), post op concerns etc. He assessed my chest which he described as moderate gynecomastia which would probably get worse if not treated. His wife was also very helpful and polite, again competently answering any questions I had.
Im feeling great now about about being on the road to recovery :)
No more looking into UK v Poland surgery. Happy to be booked in with levick!
Hopefully il get some pre op pics on here and can document my experience like others have.
-
Awesome news! I've got a consultation with Karidis on Friday. At the moment it seems like it's ages until I have the surgery but I'm sure once it's booked the time will go quickly enough.
-
Great news Pez, I wish you the very best of luck.
That's interesting about the gland, I always thought Levick left a small part of it in? It eases my worries about gyno growing back though :)
-
Hi pez, seen you posting on here a bit before. Good to see you have everything in place. It's a big weight off your mind isn't it! (no pun intended =P), I had my consultation with karidis a couple of weeks ago and have surgery booked for 29th November. By the sounds of things you shouldn't be too far behind me on the other side. I'll be making a log in about 3 weeks time when it feels like its a bit closer
-
Hi I'm not surprised you were impressed with Mr Levick. His whole approach is great! I had my consultation a few weeks ago. I'm having surgery next weds (7/11). :)
-
Great news Pez, I wish you the very best of luck.
That's interesting about the gland, I always thought Levick left a small part of it in? It eases my worries about gyno growing back though :)
He explained this in some detail as it was one of my main concerns. He takes the whole gland out - as it may grow in size again otherwise, should you have a hormonal imbalance in the future for example. I have quite low body fat so he said he wouldn't perform much if any liposuction on me, only the excision of the gland. He said he leaves some fat above the pectoral muscles to stop nipple collapse and to aid the shape of the chest. I feel confident he will do a good job :)
Jmdc and sjwsjw - keep us updated on your experiences and best of luck with the surgery!
-
Sounds pretty similar to myself, I'm pretty low in bodyfat too.
Unsure if this is true, but I've heard it's lipo that contributes most to scar tissue & bruising, so it might be better for anyone considering surgery to shift some weight beforehand if they're carrying a little extra.
-
Will do pez! I thought I'd be nervous as hell by now but feeling strangely calm. I will post again from the other side! :)
-
Excellent news Pez, I'm chuffed you've got the ball rolling with your surgery. It will come around quickly and before you know it you'll be on the other side and into recovery.
Be sure to get some pre op pictures posted, I use Flickr to upload, as I'm specifically interested in yours as I too had low body fat (mainly due to me losing so much weight in an effort to shift the gyne (to no avail)) and comparability is everything for the present and potential forum members.
Levicks removal of the entire gland is important, as I've read and heard from people saying it's dangerous and incredibly difficult to leave any behind.
Keep us updated, and well done for taking the first and most important step.
-
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2luaxb5.png)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/2zexf69.png)
Thought I'd post some pre-op pictures for anyone thats interested in having a look, Dont mind the chest piece tattoo :) haha.
The LHS is definitely worse than the right (as you can see) and to be honest I dont think the pictures do the gyno justice. It looks worse in reality, anyway wont be long before Im posting some post op pictures..
-
What's interesting here, for myself at least, is that you were confident to have a tattoo on your chest.
One of my worries was getting a tattoo on my chest when I had gyne because I was embarrassed about it.
-
What's interesting here, for myself at least, is that you were confident to have a tattoo on your chest.
One of my worries was getting a tattoo on my chest when I had gyne because I was embarrassed about it.
My tattooist is a good friend who did it after hours, so it wasn't too bad. Would have been embarrassing and a completely different story if I'd had to go to a complete stranger and lay there while people come in/out the studio staring at me getting it done, I wouldn't have been able to do that. Im sure my gyno's got worse in the last couple of years aswell.
-
Sick ink Pez, you're gonna get all the babes after your op mate :)
-
Sick ink Pez, you're gonna get all the babes after your op mate :)
Ha I'm not so sure about that :)
Just over a month to go, hopefully it goes by quickly.
-
Believe me mate, your confidence is about to go through the roof! ;)
-
Got my compression garment now. Zip up baggy hoodie and button up shirts ready to go :)
Need to get some jogging bottoms and some decent films ready for post op lazy days (any recommendations?)
Just over 2 weeks left :)
and it's good to see so many others on here having surgery with levick recently. I know he mentioned at the consultation he's been busier than ever with gynecomastia patients, he definitely wasn't lieing.
-
Those two weeks will go by so fast!! Looks like your all prepared with clothes and arnica already ;)
Levick can definitely afford a great Christmas vacation with all his patients these days :P I think nowadays is the perfect timing,with winter coming up. Shorter days, colder climate and spending more time indoors... And a good half year++ for your chest to recover to next summer. The summer many of us are aiming towards:)
Good luck, try not to think to much about it, and the day will be here before you know it :)
-
Got my compression garment now, arnica ready. Zip up baggy hoodie and button up shirts ready to go :)
Need to get some jogging bottoms and some decent films ready for post op lazy days (any recommendations?)
Just over 2 weeks left :)
and it's good to see so many others on here having surgery with levick recently. I know he mentioned at the consultation he's been busier than ever with gynecomastia patients, he definitely wasn't lieing.
yeh im one of them, he did my op on the 7th of November (he also operated on another forum member the same day). GL.
-
I think this is a popular time of year for the surgery, he sure is getting plenty of practice ready for yours :P what date are you booked for?
-
December 12th so not that long now.
-
No, not long at all. That'll soon go. You got your travel plans sorted?
-
Yeah train all booked and hotel sorted. Decided to go home the day the drains are taken out rather than spend another night in a hotel. Just thought id want to get home and recover.
-
Don't blame ya. I'm back the same day as long as I'm ok, you can never rest like you can at home.
-
Only got a couple days left now :)
I haven't been taking any arnica, to be honest I completely forgot and I've heard it's more of a placebo effect than anything else, with no proven benefits. Anyone got an opinion on this?
Tried on my compression vest for the first time the other day, I took measurements and I was at the maximum of a small. Or the minimum of a medium depending on how you want to look at it. Well I want maximum compression and benefit so after weighing up the options I went for a small. Tried it on and surprisingly it isn't too bad, I'm sure after 24 or more (or indeed less) hours in the thing, my opinion may change.
Nerves haven't become apparent yet and I doubt will until the day before or the day itself when it all seems very real. I'm just looking forward to getting it done and into recovery :)
-
Good luck mate, getting close now. The day itself is very surreal, it feels like a dream that you know the ending to after reading everyones logs lol
I never took the arnica before, i've taken it after tho, nothing wrong with a placebo if thats the worst it is
I have a size small too and its more comfortable then i was expecting, its even stopped digging in under the arms like it did for a couplea days
-
(well it kinda digs in under the arms buts its not uncomfortable like it was)
-
Well I've for got some arnica so will perhaps take it after the op. making the trip to Birmingham tomorrow, bit of shopping in the bulleing then an overnight stay in a hotel... Then the op I've been waiting for for years :)
Got some questions I'm sure levicks going to answer involving post op stuff, can't even remember how long he said to wear the compression vest, it doesn't say in the booklet he gave me either.
-
Best of luck Pez, you're in good hands I assure you. I saw Mr Levick today for my 1 month post op chat, he's always in good spirits.
Don't worry too much about the details. But FYI Its dressings for a week, then compression vest 24/7 for two weeks, then of a week of night time only (or longer if you can)
Look forward to your pics !
-
Thanks for reminding me of those details, my consultation was that long ago I'd completely forgotten. How'd your post op consultation go? I don't think one month will be a possibility for me as January's a very busy month. Might even have to wait til February for my post op consultation (should there not be any problems of course, fingers crossed).
Will try to post pictures and updates ASAP after the op. although you've all seen the bandages pics, the 2nd week when the chest is revealed will be the important ones :)
-
Good luck pez:)) Sonn on the other side now :D
-
Thanks for reminding me of those details, my consultation was that long ago I'd completely forgotten. How'd your post op consultation go? I don't think one month will be a possibility for me as January's a very busy month. Might even have to wait til February for my post op consultation
It went well thanks man. Just had a quick look at my chest, he said there was some swelling (which you can barely make out). He answered a few questions about exercising and scar tissue that I had. He said i'm fine to start working out again now i'm nearly a month post op, as long as I don't go straight for the bench press and load up 100kg :) I feel the need to do some light jogging and light weights.
I don't think there is a rush for the post op consultation. Some people don't go. I personally felt it was nice to have a chat and a check over. But he's local for me so it wasn't an issue. :)
It'll be the best 4k you've spent mate, i've been wearing fitted t shirts for a week and it's been awesome.
-
Update
Just a quick one to say surgery went well. I am now in recovery :)
Sat up in my room watching highlights of the football now, if id known there was gona be sky sports I would have arranged surgery at the weekend haha.
Arrived at the hospital at 8am, taken off to surgery at around 9.30. Was very nervous, walked down to the operating theatre with my sister, in my sexy paper boxers and gown. Remember levick taking photos, drawing up lines on my chest, had an injection in my hand and answered few questions then next thing... I remember waking up, a nurse talking to me and two other patients in beds opposite me, in some kindof waiting area. Felt very disoriented and have spent the day, from around 11.30 until now, feeling very drowsy, drifting in/out sleep. Got my sister here who's been great, fed me my lunch which was very nice (tomato soup, fish pie and ice cream).
Drains taken out tomorrow, staying here till about 1pm before getting a taxi to new street for the train home. Will post another update when I can. Good to be on the other side and joining all the other guys who have taken this step :)
-
Congrats mate :D
-
Thanks :)
2nd update - 1 day post op
Woke up feeling pretty sore, especially under the arm pits. I say woke up, didn't exactly get much, if any sleep. Was kept up needing refills of water, extra blankets, toilet visits and blood pressure readings etc. had breakfast and the drains taken out this morning. Not going to lie it was the most painful bit of the whole experience. Glad I shaved my armpit hair cos that would definitely have got in the way. LHS was more painful than the right but that's probably cos I knew what to expect after the first. Levick came in and showed me the pictures he had taken post op yesterday. Was more taken out from the LHS and I was surprised with the amount he took out. Must admit looking very flat though and so impressed with that. Travelling back home soon to rest up more comfortably and continue the recovery process :)
Pics to follow when I get access to my laptop at home. And when levick sends me his photos
-
I'm pleased for you mate, glad it all went well! Welcome to the other side bud!
-
congratulations pez, looking forward to hearing how you coped with the journey home as I'm a bit apprehensive about that part!
-
Thanks improving.
ricardo7... The journey home, I got a taxi from the priory hospital to new street then a train journey back. Unfortunately had to change which was abit of an inconvenience, if you can get a direct train then do it cos after having the drains out, you're abit fragile. The bumps on the road for the short taxi journey were more of a problem than the train journey but all in all it wasn't really that bad. Just glad to get back and rest :) slept properly last night for the first time in 3 nights and felt so much better for it.
-
Update - 4 days post op
Not much to report really other than the bandages are really itchy...and driving me slightly crazy. Got plaster removal ready for taking them off, thinking il be doing it tuesday night which will be the 6th day/evening post op, will try keep them on til Wednesday morning but I've heard it doesn't make much difference and I'm dying to take these things off ASAP.
Been taking the antibiotics and pain killers as prescribed but will probably stop the latter tomorrow. Started getting some tingling sensations in the chest today, especially in the LHS, which all felt abit odd but is normal I'm sure. For anyone having this surgery in the future, buy back scratcher!!!
-
Well Ive finally got around to getting the pictures from my moble onto my laptop so can make this thread abit more interesting.
(http://i45.tinypic.com/4uf5ma.jpg)
^^^ Post-op, with the drains in (Note: Do not wear the socks like I am in this photo, they are very tight and I ended up with a swollen toe where I cut off the circulation. Pull them right over your toes :))
Update - 6 days post op
THE BIG DAY!!
After reading many other peoples experiences on here, it seems most people decide to take off their bandages one day early and I chose to do the same. I could have kept it on for the extra day but the itchiness (if thats even a word) was taking its toll and I was dying to get rid of them. Cant remember who recommended to lay in the bath for abit before taking them off.. but thats what I did and think it helped. Luckily I havent got much back hair and I shaved my chest and armpit hair prior to the op, so it wasnt too painful but did sting a fair bit.
Anyway, I peeled the bandages off very slowly and revealed my new chest, it felt completely surreal seeing my chest after being bandaged up for ages. I am very happy. I am flat and thats the main thing :). Theres some swelling directly under the left armpit and the LHS of the chest is quite swollen but overall, I think its a great result for 6 days post op. Still got a long way to go and scar tissue to come but progress has certainly been made.
Pictures:
(http://i49.tinypic.com/28anbk1.jpg)
^^^ Got a big red mark across my stomache from the plaster. Its even worse on my back and sides but I couldnt get a picture of that very easily.
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2u7r86t.png)
^^^ Lots of brusing on the LHS and swelling around the nipple.
(http://i47.tinypic.com/1e6xwn.png)
^^^ Pre and Post Comparison
(http://i47.tinypic.com/jb1l5v.jpg)
^^^ Compression Vest - 24/7 for the next two weeks.
Its not the most comfortable and im sure will become itchy and tedious but it's better than the bandages atleast.
-
Awesome, great result Pez. The time in the compression vest soon goes!
-
Nice results so far mate. I actually miss wearing the vest for the 12 hours I take it off now. Once you get past the first uncomfortable days (under the arm's) it's really comfortable.
-
Nice results so far mate. I actually miss wearing the vest for the 12 hours I take it off now. Once you get past the first uncomfortable days (under the arm's) it's really comfortable.
I really hope that's true as I didn't get much sleep last night wearing it, was really digging in to my armpits but hopefully it'll become more comfortable as the days go on.
Noticed abit more mobility in my arms today, can get them further behind me and higher when raised directly in front of me...I'd say I'm about 60-65% there at the moment (7 days post op).
Trying to not look at my chest very much since the bandages have come off (which the vest aids with), it's so bruised and yellow it makes me feel quite sick and it simply doesn't feel like my chest at the moment. There's absolutely no feeling in and around the nipples and it all feels very strange.
-
Just wondering, when would people say is the best time post op to start massaging? I'm almost 4 weeks post op now.. However I don't think I'm ready for massaging yet, still fairly sore and bruised in places, especially around the nipples but I have the bio oil ready to go.
Nothing much to report really, wearing the compression vest 12 hours a day but not at night now. My LHS is still quite swollen and the nipple larger than the RHS which is looking very flat. I'm finding my chest is looking different every time I look at it at the moment, trying to not focus on it too much and let the healing process do its thing. Will post up some more pics when I get around to it. Happy new year guys! :)
-
You should be massaging around three/four weeks after, so your ready now its not nice feeling really its uncomfortable.
There isnt an exact guide for massaging post op, which is annoying because there is plenty of stuff around on youtube for breast implants.
Levick may be able to tell you in more detail, but my advice would be to use two fingers and just do a gentle but firm massage use the tips of your fingers and take it easy. Do it two/three times a day and dont go overboard with it.
-
What are the socks for pez?
-
What are the socks for pez?
They're for prevention of deep vein thrombosis, you have to put them on prior to surgery and keep them on until you leave the next day. They're very tight and abit of a pain to get on but pretty comfortable once actually on. Just make sure they're on properly; over the toes :)
As for massaging, had my first go today, 20mins with 10 each side and it wasn't actually as bad as I thought it may be. Bio oil and circular motions, chest loosened up quickly and I was able to massage without much discomfort. Hopefully I can keep it up now and get some benefit from it.
-
Excellent results, get some updated pictures up!
-
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2wlwwp4.png)
^^^^ Levick's pre-op pictures
(http://i48.tinypic.com/wjutf9.png)
^^^^ Gland's Removed - RHS & LHS
-
Update - 4 weeks post op - 09/01/13
(http://i46.tinypic.com/u3t3k.jpg)
^^^^ Front
(http://i48.tinypic.com/15ffxbb.png)
^^^^ LHS
(http://i46.tinypic.com/r2uxba.jpg)
^^^^ RHS
As you can see from Levick's picture (gland excision) - there was more gland excised from the LHS than the RHS.... which explains why the LHS of my chest is currently still quite swollen and has been worse than the RHS through out this first month's healing process.
The RHS, although looking abit indented at the moment, the nipple is very flat... looks like its healing well, hardly any brusing now. My nipples are currently different sizes as the LHS is larger but I hope/expect that when the swelling goes down that all will be OK.
1 week left of the compression vest - 12 hours a day, although if I can I will probably keep it on longer as it feels weird having it off now and I'm not minding wearing it - there was a time when I didn't think I'd say that :)
Just got to carry on with the massaging and let the healing process continue.
-
All looking good so far mate.
I have a bit of swelling still but expected for a while yet. I'm in for my follow up on Monday 14th Jan so I'll ask my questions then. Duno about you but I feel pretty good after a massage. Thought it would be more of a chore but it's ok :)
Told you about the vest :P I wore mine for bed last night after I'd been to the gym and it felt nice and comfortable.
-
Out of interest, do you know what weight your gland tissue was each side? I've been told the weight of the tissue that was removed but not seen pictures so it's hard to visualise it.
-
Out of interest, do you know what weight your gland tissue was each side? I've been told the weight of the tissue that was removed but not seen pictures so it's hard to visualise it.
Massaging does help, my chest feels quite tight but after massaging it loosens up. I will ask levick about the gland weight and get back to you..He did tell me post op but I really can't remember now, was still drowsy from the anaesthetic.
-
Awesome results Pez mate, you must be delighted. I wish Karidis did that gland shot :).
It's pretty strange but your healing looks almost identical to mine in pretty much every way.
-
Awesome results Pez mate, you must be delighted. I wish Karidis did that gland shot :).
It's pretty strange but your healing looks almost identical to mine in pretty much every way.
Yeah funny you should say that as I've been keeping an eye on your thread thinking the exact same thing.. The way your nipples were different sizes and one indented and the other not, is just like I've been experiencing. You're chest is looking good now though :) looking back at my pre photos, it's a big difference and so far, I'm very happy with the result. I'm finding since ive started massaging that the appearance has definitely improved, the swelling of the LHS has decreased quite significantly in one day since taking the pictures and the RHS is less indented. It's weird but honestly, everytime I see my chest it looks different at the moment but I know that's normal from reading many others experiences
-
Out of interest, do you know what weight your gland tissue was each side? I've been told the weight of the tissue that was removed but not seen pictures so it's hard to visualise it.
Just heard from levick:
LHS 22gm
RHS 14 gm
-
update - almost 6 weeks post op
I no longer have to wear the compression vest now :) I'm not missing it to be honest but have felt abit odd adjusting to a 'normal' tight tshirt as this has been unknown territory since I was 13/14. Hit the sales and bought some new shirts, feels awesome being gyno free and wearing small skin tight shirts!!!
I've been massaging religiously since around 4 weeks post op and will continue to do so, it definitely loosens it all up. Does anyone know the time frame/how often massaging should be done? I'm doing it every night at the moment.
I did some press ups yesterday for the first since since the op. 3 sets of 20 and it felt like I'd been benching big weights this morning as it was nice and sore... I also went to the doctors, for something else, but got a checkup on the chest and.... its all good. She was impressed with the size of the incisions and said she wouldn't have even known I'd had surgery. The LHS of my chest is still abit swollen but my doctor suggested its only noticeable when looking down on it, which obviously I do all the time. From the front I don't think it's that bad at all and will hopefully go down. The RHS is looking less indented now and naturally flat :) I'm hoping to go to Birmingham soon for a checkup with levick... I will also post some more pictures when I get around to it.
-
Cheers for the info pez.
I massage twice a day when I get chance but at least once, normally before bed. I was told at my follow up to keep massaging and to start doing weights. I was asked to return at the start of April so I'll keep massaging til then and ask if I need to continue then, no harm in massaging.
-
Good to hear you're healing well pez!
I'm 6 days post op tomorrow. Might do what you did and remove the dressings a day early. I'm not in any discomfort, just eager to see my chest :)
-
Will try and massage every day but I guess it won't hurt missing a day here and there. Will just have to do abit extra the day after.
Ricardo.. It's upto you, I took mine off in the morning on the 6th day as I was getting really fed up with them. I Bet you can't wait to look at the result, I know I couldn't either, it's a really surreal feeling. If you can, Soak your bandages in the bath for awhile before attempting to take them off as it'll help.
-
2 months post op - 12/02/13
(http://i47.tinypic.com/atvyx1.png)
Still got a little swelling on the LHS which Im sure is going down gradually.... Atleast I think its swelling, either that or some fluid but Its nothing major and hardly noticeable unless I squeeze the area. Ive still yet to organise my post op consultation with Levick, just not had the time to get to birmingham unfortunately, but will do soon for his advice on this. Been massaging every day for 25-30 mins and am now doing it every other day.
-
Results so far looking really good, you basically had what I had - puffy nips.
Do you still have any tenderness even now?
-
Not really. If I was to sporadically put my arms up above my head then I may get abit of a twinge, but nothing major. The massaging really helps loosen it up.
-
Not been on here in a Long time.. So here's an update.
I had revision surgery with levick yesterday - exactly 1 year after my original op and I can't speak highly enough of levick and everyone at the hospital, I was very well looked after both times.
I'd basically been upto see levick for a few post op consultations to discuss my progress this year. Decided to go ahead and book in for some revision as the RHS of my chest was all good and flat once healed from the original but the LHS was just abit fuller. 6-8 months post op the healing process had finished and no massaging or anything was going improve it's appearance so following levicks advice booked in. I couldn't really squeeze my RHS with my fingers it was that flat whereas the left you could really feel and pinch together this fluid.
So yesterday had some liposuction under local anaesthetic. The injections to numb the area were the worse bit but it wasn't too bad. Was in and out of hospital in a few hours. Come out wearing one of levicks new compression vests, the whole new no drains and bandages thing is awesome. Will get some pictures up on here once it's all healed.
-
Pez - could you give a detailed discription of what it's like under local anaesthetic?
I'm almost a year post op myself and may need slight revision, so it would be good to hear an account of your experience.
-
Hi Ricardo. Yeah more than happy to share my experience with you. Levick explained to me at consultation (8 months after op) that I could benefit from revision surgery and that because it would only be a minor procedure involving liposuction to the chest, I wouldn't need general and only local anaesthetic. As a result I was a day case and in/out of hospital in 3-4 hours. The procedure itself only took about 30 minutes as I was only having revision to the LHS of my chest, obviously this will be longer if you're revisions going to be more substantial.
So got there early, had a meal in the cafe an hour before (as there are no restrictions on eating/drinking) then got shown to the day care unit and my room with a bed. It's not the same rooms as you have for your original op, more like being in a public hospital with plastic sheets for privacy, other patients all around etc. Levick came and took me to the theatre - spent a few minutes injecting all around the area/nipple, waited 5 mins to take effect then tested with a sharp pin and thankfully I felt nothing :) The injections are the most painful bit (sharp and sudden) but after that obviously the areas numb and you only have the notion that there's something going on, it's abit weird. He did say it can sometimes hurt to the outer edge where the area isn't numb but I didn't have any concerns. Levick also said when he had his own Gynecomastia surgery it was all under local so a lot more injections than I'd be needing, made me feel better in a way.
As for the procedure itself I can't actually say in too much detail what he was doing or using because I didn't want to look at the time but he explains and shows this at consultation. He made a small incision just below my nipple and using this thing like a hoover sucked out some fat/fluid, you can feel (wrong word) or sense this kindof scraping where he's moving this hoover thing around the area, it's not very nice but it's over before you know it. He had two assistants in the theatre with him, one male and one female who tried to keep me distracted with conversation :) looking at my chest immediately after, it looked flat and so hopefully after the healing, it'll be all good and il finally have the flat chest I've always wanted. I can definitely see why people have liposuction as the results are pretty instant, it's amazing really. As for the incision and scarring, as it's so small levick said there won't be one and my scars from the original op (armpits) aren't even noticeable anymore. You can shower after 24 hours, just take the vest off and put it back on again and as it's velcro on one side, it's really easy to do.
---
3 days post op now, chest is bruised - nice and yellow and still abit sore. Back to work tomorrow but not lifting anything heavy and taking it easy. I have to wear the compression vest for a week but I don't mind as it's a lot more comfortable then the previous one I had. Il try and get some pictures up of the vest and my chest in the next few days.
-
Cheers for that, it's good to know it's pain free! (should I go for revision myself next year - still don't know yet).
Do you need to take the week off work as you did with the full operation?
-
I wouldn't say pain free, the injections were pretty damn painful but honestly revisions not a major thing, nothing compared to the original op really. I had the op on Thursday, luckily got work off on Friday and back to work Monday as normal and I've been fine. I have to climb a ladder at work but taking it slow and steady, could feel my chest hurting abit at times and probably not ideal for the healing process but I couldn't get anymore time off
-
I wouldn't say pain free, the injections were pretty damn painful but honestly revisions not a major thing, nothing compared to the original op really. I had the op on Thursday, luckily got work off on Friday and back to work Monday as normal and I've been fine. I have to climb a ladder at work but taking it slow and steady, could feel my chest hurting abit at times and probably not ideal for the healing process but I couldn't get anymore time off
Hi Pez,
What fluid was it that was left behind on the LHS? As at my consultation, Mr Levick said he removes all the gland AND fat. (He does leave behind fascia, which is a fibrous tissue, but this shouldnt be fluid like).
Also, if you dont mind me asking what happened to your right nipple? Looking at your post-op pictures, my first thought was your left hand side looks fine but there's some kind of indent/incision type mark in your right nipple. (I know it's not an incision as Mr Levick operates from the armpit). But overall, much improved from pre-op of course, and hopefully even better after this revision.
-
Levick said he probably hadn't taken out enough fat from the LHS in the original op. It's to my understanding that obviously the glands are removed but some fat is left behind to ensure the countor of the chest. Take too much fat you risk the chest becoming indented, don't take enough then revisions the solution but pretty sure it's better to be safe than sorry on this one.
The gland removed from the LHS of my chest was significantly larger than the right - 22gm LHS and 14gm RHS. Which explains why the LHS was always abit larger. The post op pics you question just show my bodies reaction in healing. The RHS didn't swell as much and therefore probably looks flatter/indented in comparison to the left in that picture. After massaging it eventually levelled out however the LHS didn't become as flat as I'd hoped (hence revision)
I cant remember what time of day I took that picture but I think anyone who's had this surgery will tell you, your chest can look very different from day to day when healing. If you analyse your chest immediately after taking off the compression garment, it'll look different to after massaging for 30 mins. Nipples vary in size as the chest heals as well, which is evident in some of my pics.
It's obvious but sometimes forgotten - your chest is two different areas and is treated as such and as a result each will heal at different rates. It's annoying but it's the way it is. It's a long, frustrating and often strange journey of recovery. But levicks awesome with the aftercare in follow ups and answering you're questions.
* Tomorrow I'm a week post op (again) and can take off the compression vest. :)
-
Levick said he probably hadn't taken out enough fat from the LHS in the original op. It's to my understanding that obviously the glands are removed but some fat is left behind to ensure the countor of the chest. Take too much fat you risk the chest becoming indented, don't take enough then revisions the solution but pretty sure it's better to be safe than sorry on this one.
The gland removed from the LHS of my chest was significantly larger than the right - 22gm LHS and 14gm RHS. Which explains why the LHS was always abit larger. The post op pics you question just show my bodies reaction in healing. The RHS didn't swell as much and therefore probably looks flatter/indented in comparison to the left in that picture. After massaging it eventually levelled out however the LHS didn't become as flat as I'd hoped (hence revision)
I cant remember what time of day I took that picture but I think anyone who's had this surgery will tell you, your chest can look very different from day to day when healing. If you analyse your chest immediately after taking off the compression garment, it'll look different to after massaging for 30 mins. Nipples vary in size as the chest heals as well, which is evident in some of my pics.
It's obvious but sometimes forgotten - your chest is two different areas and is treated as such and as a result each will heal at different rates. It's annoying but it's the way it is. It's a long, frustrating and often strange journey of recovery. But levicks awesome with the aftercare in follow ups and answering you're questions.
* Tomorrow I'm a week post op (again) and can take off the compression vest. :)
Thanks for your reply. I guess dreaming of a mens health cover type chest will always just remain a dream for us folk. But we can only try our best whilst being realistic as you mention.
Would be good to see some pics post 2nd op when you're ready :)
-
4 years on now.... 1 year after I had Some revision lipo to the left hand side for some stubborn fat. A year after that I had a injection for some stubborn scar tissue in the same area.
I'm now very happy with my chest. Both sides flat and look very natural. I can't imagine how it would look now if I hadn't have had it done. Absolutely No regrets. Life changing in terms of confidence. It takes time to heal for sure and there were times I wasn't happy, times my chest looked very different through the healing process but the wait was worth it. I'd say it took me 3 years to be fully and completely healed. No scars visible after a year.
Levick has now retired as we all know, I must say he is a true professional in every sense of the word. His dealings with me from start to finish and through aftercare were amazing.... I once came from London to Birmingham for a post op consultation and due to a unfortunate admin mix up he was unaware it was scheduled. Upon receiving the phone call, he came in especially to see me, I don't think anyone else would do that.