I have read a lot of information on the boards over the last year, knowing I wanted to have surgery to get rid of my gynecomastia I have had since about age 13. This is my first time posting, but I felt compelled to share my experience overall, which has resulted in two surgeries in a little less than a year's time.
Having had a mild case since about 13, primarily just puffy nipples, I decided to do something in January 2009. I explored a lot of this website, web resources, etc. to find out what my surgical options were. I am an avid weight lifter, often at about 7% bodyfat, so I knew I had a good amount of gland tissue on my chest. I decided to do surgery and visited a local surgeon in Tampa, FL where I live. The consultation went well, and he sounded very knowledgeable, he talked about the glandular excision and liposuction technique that I had read about on this site and those of the more well known surgeons' sites, and he seemed very confident in the operation producing an ideal outcome. The cost with everything was about $3400. I did not choose based on the price, but I was confident that he was the right guy and the good price seemed an added bonus. Flying for surgery did not seem to make as much sense to me since I believed I would get the same outcome in Tampa ( a mistake).
Anyways, had the surgery in April 2009. Immediately after my chest looked a little flatter, but appeared to still have the puffyness from before surgery. Weeks passed, nothing changed. The surgeon told me it was scar tissue, it would disapate. However, I was nervous as the tissue was there immediately following surgery, leaving me to believe there was too much gland left in. Then months went by, and eventually I had three rounds of kenalog into both sides of my chest. It did nothing to improve the large puffy dome shaped nipples. At this point about 6 months out, I realized I was going to need a revision. I had invested my time, money, etc. and was not going to quit the battle and just accept results. The surgeon was understanding and hinted we could wait longer and do a revision under local. However, I decided that i needed to ensure it was going to be done in line with my original goals, so I began to seek the assistance of more well known and experienced surgeons.
I contacted
Dr. Delgado, about 25%-30% of his yearly gynecomastia workload is revisional surgery. Being that it is much harder than primary surgery, I felt confident that his experience would give me a great chance at getting rid of my excess tissue. I emailed pictures to him, and he telephoned me immediately to discuss how he could help me with a revision surgery. He was awesome to talk to on the phone, friendly, informative, and easy to speak to and was very open to questions. I had also reviewed his website, videos (which are awesome), pictures, etc. extensively before speaking with him. While on the phone with him, I knew I wanted him as my Dr. for a revision, and so I set up a date that day. I set up a date about a month away, due only to scheduling conflicts of my own prior to that date. My surgeries would be nine months apart. I knew
Dr. Delgado was my best chance at getting the result I had desired the first time around, so the month wait was terrible. Everyday could not go by fast enough, trouble sleeping etc, just wanted to see my new chest. I was confident I was going to get the result I had started looking for back in Arpil of last year.
The videos on
Dr. Delgado's site were a huge help to me. There is one video that walks you through 3 different people all getting surgery, and all their visits from start to finish at
Dr. Delgado's office. I even used this video the night before my post op appointments to know what to expect. The gynecomastiaspecialist website had all the information I needed, and also helped get me even more pumped up for the surgery.
The whole surgery process was smooth and easy, from the planning leading up to surgery to the actual day itself. Everyone in
Dr. Delgado's office is super friendly and helpful, Colleen and Wendy answered a lot of questions and made me feel very comfortable with the decision I had made. I came a few days earlier before surgery to check out San Fran with my gf, do the touristy stuff etc. Got a nice hotel a few miles up the road on hotwire, and went in Monday for surgery about 4pm. Only tough part was not eating all day or drinking anything, but a small tradeoff for the goal I had been waiting for. My story is much the same as other Delgado patients, so I don't want to repeat the minute details, but if anyone has any questions I would be glad to answer. Basically got dressed in the surgical outfit, Dr. Gaynor came in, then
Dr. Delgado came in one last time and drew on me, went to the OR, and next thing I knew was awake in the recovery room and
Dr. Delgado and Dr. Gaynor were there making sure I was ok. Was a very easy day, seemed a breeze since I don't remember falling to sleep whatsoever.
I stayed in recovery a bit, then went back to the hotel. I had virtually no pain and was feeling great right away although I did not get back until about midnight. I did not need any of the pain pills, and was even using Sinn
I then returned two days later, Wednesday, to see
Dr. Delgado and have the drains removed. It hurt very slightly, but it was a nice relief to see that the fluid was slowing down a lot and I was healing nicely. I left with no draings, and made my second post op appt for Friday morning.
My second postop was today, Friday.
Dr. Delgado removed my stitches, but there were still some dissolvable ones left in (if you are out of town) to play it safe as the whole post op appointments are made faster than usua,l due to having to return home. My nipples were a lot smaller and only slightly puffy, obviously very swollen.
Dr. Delgado said that I am definitely swollen and they will improve over the coming couple weeks. However, the results as they are now, slightly puffy and swollen, are far better than my condition before surgery and I am already super happy. As they will only get better, I am beyond happy and thrilled! I feel my journey is finally over, my nipples are flat, my chest is just the shape of my pecs which is all I had ever wanted.
Dr. Delgado delivered the results I had hoped for, and I had the confidence that he would. 4 days post surgery and I am feeling this is all over, the anguish of not wanting to take my shirt off, the guilt I had for not getting it done right the first time, and the fear that it was never going to be right. I am in no pain, and am following
Dr. Delgado's instructions to the T with the elevation and no activity for a good six weeks.
I could tell
Dr. Delgado was pleased with the work and he told me I should heal fine. I do not forsee any problems, and am anxiously awaiting the end of the 6 week vest time and inactivity to get back to everything and feel 100% comfortable with my chest. I told him as I walked out that I couldn't thank him enough, and I really feel like the experience this week has been an awesome one that has been a long time coming.
I hope this story might help people, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I will post preop and post op pictures upon my arrival to Florida, a couple of days.
Topic: Successful Surgery w/ Dr. Delgado - Revision from Prior Surgery in Florida (Read 6127 times)
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