Gynecomastia Support Forum
General => Gynecomastia Talk => Topic started by: helpmemoobs on July 10, 2017, 08:49:54 PM
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So.. I'm going to South Korea next Monday for a 4 week trip (also hitting Japan and Hong Kong). I am getting my gyno surgery done on my 2nd day there (Tuesday the 18th of July) and will rest for a couple of days afterwards. I lived in South Korea last year, so this is a half holiday/half visit to old friends, with a little bit of gyno surgery thrown in!! I hope the surgery and recovery goes well for me.
I guess I only realised I had gyno 1 year ago. When I was in South Korea and the summer came, (I'm from Ireland- not used to intense heat) I had to wear very light clothing for work. I remember catching my side profile in the bathroom mirrors in the school where I worked, and noticing a breast like curve. At home, it's never really hot enough for me to be wearing such light, tight clothing to even notice. When I posted pics on the web asking people if they thought I had gyno, they all pretty much said yes. I can't believe it never dawned on me before.
So I hope my surgery goes ok and I won't be bed bound for too long. I booked Airbnb and will have 1 full week in South Korea before going to Japan. I hope I will be able to meet some of my friends that first weekend, like 3 or 4 days after my surgery. Wish me luck!! :)
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Good luck -- hope all goes well. Keep us informed.
Dr Jacobs
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So I arrived in South Korea yesterday and was all stressed about getting the money for the surgery- the ATMs here would only allow me to withdraw small amounts of money. So I went to the clinic today- Evita Clinic in Seoul, stressed and before we even began the consultation, I asked them to try to charge the money on my card. My credit card didn't work, I was about to have a breakdown. But weirdly enough, my Visa debit card unexpectedly worked for me, thank God. So I went into a room and had my body fat measured, which turned out to be 22% which sounds kind of high to me but I do realise I have a bit of a gut that I can't shift.
I then met the surgeon and he went through the procedure with me but to be honest- I read so much on this site that I felt like I knew it all already!!! Then he drew lines and circles on me.
Next, I went to the operating room and was put to sleep. Then, (like 3 hours later) I remember being woken up and feeling really groggy and being brought back to my own "waiting room" and put into the bed there. It took a long time for it to wear off, I felt like I was extremely drunk.
When I was in the 'recovery room', the surgeon came in with my glands on a metal tray and showed them to me. They were pretty big, like each one was the size of the palm of my hand. The surgeon said he didn't expect them to be that big. I guess there wasn't much fat if the glands were so big. It's funny because on all the websites, they say you can diagnose yourself by squeezing your man boobs to see if you feel a gland. I never could feel a gland but it turned out that I had large glands. It just goes to show that there is no real way to self diagnose it correctly.
I was then fitted with the vest and sent home. I'm at home now (well, in my temporary Airbnb home) and will rest for a few days. I am afraid to take the vest off to even have a peek, in case something goes wrong. But I look extremely flat so that's a good sign I think.
I forgot to mention- I was given a prescription for pills so I went and got them. There's so many of them!!
I will post more photos as I progress.
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Ok, so I woke up early and curiosity got the best of me- I unzipped the vest and had a peek... I look so flat, and I can't see any bruising or swelling yet. I am going back to the clinic tomorrow morning, I'm not sure why though- they just asked me since I am unavailable next week (I will travel somewhere else). I don't feel in pain, just a small bit of discomfort. I only slept for 4 hours and then I woke, which brings me here. I will just Netflix and chill today :)
I can see my gut protruding from under the compression vest- it gives me motivation to work out after all this. Because before, my man boobs would be jiggling around if running, etc. so at least now I won't be self conscious of that.
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OP here-
So today I feel more pain and discomfort, it's hard to move around. I'm lying in bed most of the time. Sleeping on my back is difficult for me. I'm worried cos I have to meet friends tomorrow night and during the weekend too, I hope I will be able. I don't want them to know about my surgery though, I am going to pretend I hurt my shoulder or something.
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Thanks for your posts. It's really helpful for us who are waiting for the surgery. I'll be in the same situation as you, going back home and seing family just a few days after, let us know how you manage on your weekend out. Also, do you have any photos with the vest and a tshirt on? Is it obvious you are wearing something under the tshirt? Best of luck with the healing!
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OP here-
Hi, you can't tell I'm wearing a vest when I wear a shirt, even with the collar and top buttons open. But I tried a tshirt and you can see the zip through it. So I think you'll be fine just wearing a shirt. I am not good with all this waiting though, I wish 2 weeks had passed already. I am too focused on this, I should try to take my mind off of it.
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I can imagine, but I guess when you get some mobility back and the discomfort goes down, the time will fly as you will be on your trip and as you say not focused only on this. When are you allowed to remove that padding? Keep us posted;)
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OP here-
I am going back to the surgery tomorrow, I am guessing they will probably change the dressing, I'm not sure. The awkward thing is that I haven't been allowed to shower since the surgery so I feel kind of disgusting. Tomorrow morning, I will shower my lower body and wash my hair in the sink, so I don't look and smell like a monster!
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OP here-
So it's been 2 full days since I had the surgery. I went back to the Evita Clinic this morning and I lay on a bed and they performed 'light therapy' for about 5 minutes. I don't know what that is, I guess it helps with healing. Then I went into the operation room and the surgeon looked at me and put some type of medical glue on my nipples, I guess it's like stitches. He said I can shower from today. I asked if I could have a 2nd compression garment because I will travel to Japan and Hong Kong for 10 days and I don't want to be stressed out trying to wash and dry and hide my compression garment everyday (staying in hostel dorms). They said it will cost 100,000 won and I can pick it up tomorrow (about €75 euros). I think it's worth it.
They then let me go into a room to put my clothes back on. There was a mirror in there and this was the first chance I got to see my chest with everything removed (I was lying on a bed earlier so I couldn't really see). I was kind of shocked, at first I felt like I looked deformed, it's hard to accept the change when you're used to seeing your body with a fuller chest for so many years. I thought there would be more blood/bruising but there doesn't seem to be much, thankfully.
Anyway, please tell me I look ok cos I feel kind of butchered right now.
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Part 2, also included a photo of me wearing a shirt over the compression garment- you can't tell that I am wearing one.
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I really think it looks amazing! Just out of curiosity, how much was it? Looks like they did a great job - minimal swelling and bruising and it is just two days post op. How's the pain and everything, ready for a night out?
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Thanks man! That's nice of you to say. I am pleased too, I just hope I don't get much swelling or fluid build up like I have read about other people getting. The pain is fine, I mean I feel like I had surgery on my chest!! But it's definitely tolerable.
It cost 2,000,000 won which is roughly €1,550 or $2,000 I guess. Much cheaper than other prices I have seen online. And the surgeon seems to specialise in this surgery, which is why I went with him instead of others.
I have tried some clothes on today and everything fits much better and looks much better!! I think clothes shopping might actually be fun now! Rather than me trying stuff on before and getting depressed when it would reveal my moobs. All I need to do now is focus on losing the belly fat and build up some muscle. I want to be one of those success stories!!
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Look's great -- especially for two days post op.
You are correct, you now have to concentrate on your abdomen. Diet and exercise and hundreds of crunches!
Dr JAcobs
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Look's great -- especially for two days post op.
You are correct, you now have to concentrate on your abdomen. Diet and exercise and hundreds of crunches!
Dr JAcobs
Thanks Doctor, that means a lot coming from a professional like you. Yes, I will concentrate hard on losing fat and building muscle now. I think it will be good because I will see progress more easily with my 'normal' chest now. With gyno, it's hard to see any progress from working out and it used to make me more likely to quit working out.
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Yes, oftentimes the lack of improvement of gyne when someone exercises results in disappointment, disillusionment and despair. They then give up on the diet/exercise program and gain weight.
Now that you have had your "excuse" removed, get determined to hit the gym hard and get rid of the remaining excess tissues of the abdomen.
Dr Jacobs
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Did they do any lipo? I am looking at another Korean Clinic (Silhouette) that does both lipo/excision through the nipple incision wondering if yours did the same.
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OP here-
Yes, he did lipo too. I didn't get to see how much though cos when they woke me up on the operating table, I was so out of it, I only remember telling them "sorry I'm so drunk"! Then the doc brought in the glands to show me. But I never asked how much fat did he suck out with the lipo. Good luck with whichever clinic you decide to go with :)
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Thanks for replying, cant see any lipo holes so he must have gone through the niple as well, seems to be the technique in Korea. Those results look great man, congrats.
How long did it take between booking and the surgery day, do you think I have to book well in advance?
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I booked the procedure in late April (for mid July). But they have a calendar on their website- I'd say you could book it 2 weeks before and still get it performed, they seem very efficient.
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OP here- decided to do an update. Today is 5 days post surgery. I'm pretty bruised but it doesn't hurt as much anymore. I'm a bit lumpy but I won't make any judgements until more time has passed.
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Looks good, the bruising doesn't look bad at all for such short period. How's living with the compression vest so far?
By the way, Dr. Jabocs, am I right that the bruising is more caused by the lipo? So if the surgery consisted only of gland removal, there should not be too much bruising?
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Thanks man. Yeah the compression vest is ok but I feel like it pushes my stomach out since the sides of it are so tight- I feel like I have to walk around with my stomach sucked in (I know I have to lose fat too obviously!). I also wish I had the chance to come here at a cooler time of the year as the heat is too intense for me right now and the compression vest makes it even hotter and sweatier.
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Op here-
So decided to show my progress pics- it's basically a week since the surgery. I don't really feel sore anymore, maybe just a bit numb, especially around the nipple area. Gonna continue wearing the compression vest 24/7 for the next few weeks, it's much better having 2 as I can wash 1 and let it dry while I wear the 2nd vest.
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Really great results, got me remotivated to go to Seoul, looking up hotels, subway, google streetview! Hopefully sometime next year. Were you able to walk around during this last week?
After you heal up completely I highly recommend some weight training even 10lbs of muscle can make a big difference.
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Nonini, I hope you keep me informed on what you decide to do. I was able to walk around fine the past week. But the summer humidity here mkes it more difficult- the compression vest is constantly wet with sweat.
And I made a big mistake today :( Yesterday I flew to Japan. Today I was in a park and saw that you can rent a rowing boat for 30 mins. So I decided to do that and rowed (gently) for about 20 mins, before realising that I shouldn't be doing any chest exercises. I had to row back in then. So now I'm worried that I shouldn't have done that for 30 mins and that it may affect the healing of my chest :(
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You must be healing pretty well to make that mistake haha! It should be fine, especially if you didn't even feel any pain. Also, in the upper body rowing mostly uses back and biceps muscles. The chest is involved directly when you push something, so at least you did not make a mistake doing push ups!:)
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Update- Day 8 after surgery
Not sure if I should pick at the glue on my nipples or leave it alone. I never asked the surgeon and the clinic is closed this whole week.
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Hey- OP here.
So it's been exactly 2 weeks since my surgery. I have been wearing my compression vest all the time apart from showering. I peeled off the surgical glue and I don't appear to be badly scared, it's not too noticeable. However, what I'm concerned with is that one side is lumpy when viewed from a certain angle or when I lean forward/hunch over. Will this go away in time or will I look this way forever? I feel kind of upset
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Pics continued, including lumpy pic
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Sorry for constantly bumping my own thread, but this is like a diary for me. I didn't tell anyone about the surgery so this is my only way to express and process it all.
Today was Day 15 post surgery. I was in a dressing room and took some photos- they usually have the best lighting!! I will also go back to the surgery in 2 days for a check up.
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Looks good man, really good for 15 days post op. Thanks for the updates.
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Thank you for your kind comment.
Today is Day 23 after my gyno surgery. I am feeling better day by day, and I am still wearing my compression garment for 23 hours a day. I feel like the swelling has gone down a bit, but it's still very tender. I guess it takes many weeks to heal. Here are some photos-
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Well done lad!
Had my surgery last December.
I had severe gyno.
One of these days I'll figure out how to post pics.
Lot more expensive than yours but worth every penny.
Still a bit of soreness even after 8 months but chest is FLAT AND "NORMAL".
As you suggested, a great deal more motivation to work out.
Getting this done gave me that magic word====Confidence.
God Bless
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Well done lad!
Had my surgery last December.
I had severe gyno.
One of these days I'll figure out how to post pics.
Lot more expensive than yours but worth every penny.
Still a bit of soreness even after 8 months but chest is FLAT AND "NORMAL".
As you suggested, a great deal more motivation to work out.
Getting this done gave me that magic word====Confidence.
God Bless
Thank you so much for the support. I hope your recovery went well. Today was my last visit to the clinic- they did a massage to reduce swelling and the surgeon used some kind of laser type thing on my scars to help them heal, it only took a minute. I will leave South Korea on Sunday. I hope I don't encounter any problems after I leave as I won't be able to return to the clinic.
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So.... it's been nearly 8 weeks since my gyno surgery in South Korea. I'm back home now but I'm still wearing the compression vest 23 hours a day! I still feel slightly swollen so I will continue to wear it for a few more weeks. I decided to take some progress pics. Please bear in mind that I have not exercised yet and will start weight training to shape up once I fully heal. I'm just waiting patiently.
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Here's a pic of my problem nipple- there is a crease and it seems like it's here to stay. It's more noticeable if I bend forward like in the photo here:
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So.... it's been nearly 8 weeks since my gyno surgery in South Korea. I'm back home now but I'm still wearing the compression vest 23 hours a day! I still feel slightly swollen so I will continue to wear it for a few more weeks. I decided to take some progress pics. Please bear in mind that I have no exercised yet and will start weight training to shape up once I fully heal. I'm just waiting patiently.
Your result are amazing so far, and you got two upper abs too! Nice keep it up bro
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Here's a pic of my problem nipple- there is a crease and it seems like it's here to stay. It's more noticeable if I bend forward like in the photo here:
What your doctor say about this crease ? I think it can be gone by injecting some medicine
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Thanks for your comments! I didn't tell the surgeon about the crease because I was still very swollen when I left South Korea and I had hoped the crease might disappear.
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So this is my update, I haven't been on this site for a while. It's been 3 and a half months since my surgery. Here are some progress pictures. My right side is the troublesome side- there is a slight crater and there is some hard scarring tissue behind the nipple, although it seems to be shrinking (slowly!).
When I flex, the right side looks a little odd. But you know what, when I compare my photos to those before the surgery, I am so happy I went through with it. It was worth every penny. The biggest thing is the way that clothes just fit me better now, and I don't have to worry about the way I move my body in case people notice the moobs, etc.
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My 10 month post op pics
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Update pic number 5
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hi, your result look amazing, after watching your posts and the change you’ve made I decided to go to Korea to the same clinic called “Evita” and do the surgery over there,would you recommend?
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Hi Elijah. Glad to hear you will get surgery soon. My surgery was mostly a success, however as I said before, there is a mild crater in one of my pecs. The other was operated on perfectly. I guess the surgeon took too much out of one, but it's not too noticeable (I hope not). If I flex it is, but to be honest, I'm still glad I did the surgery and it was very good value at the Evita Clinic.
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Hi,
Thanks for the reply,
I’ve contacted the clinic(Evita)a couple days ago via email and my only concern is that after requesting before&after photos just to get a general idea about the place and the surgeon they claimed that it’s illegal and they don’t do such a thing,
Have you had the kind of experience?
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It is their right not to provide you with before and after photos of patients without the patients' permission. However, they should at least have some photos on their website. If there are no photos or even no website, I would be suspicious.
Dr Jacobs
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Hi helpmemoobs,
I just wanted to thank you for posting your experience, it gave me the motivation and information that I needed.
I flew over to South Korea to have my surgery at Evita clinic last week.
Thank you
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Evita has a VERY extensive web page about different grades of gyno and corresponding surgery prices along with time lines for recovery and before/after pictures. I would be very interested to hear a summary of anyone who visits there including the transportation, length of stay, and lodging costs.
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I was looking back at this post that I made 3 years ago when I got gyno surgery in South Korea. I realised that I never put in any 'before' photos! So I decided to just upload them all into a Youtube video. I'm so glad I got the surgery now. The results weren't 100% perfect but I feel like I look much better than before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfNREcpnNQs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfNREcpnNQs)