My Karidis story: Surgery DONE 27/09/12. (Pre-op pics on p1, post-op from p3 on)

[Nipper]

Very best of luck for the day though guys.  I had a few gulps of water on the morning but still wasn't meant to have anything, but I was fine.  Just don't focus on the surgery, I just had the image of what will come afterwards in my mind..ie a flat chest and it helped me no end.  It was kinda weird though, wishing my moobs goodbye, seeing as whether I liked it or not, they had been such a major player in my life and soon, I would never see them again. 

Be prepared for a good shock is all I can say, I'm still only 5 days post so just getting my head around what I see when I take the garment off.  But with each new day I'm getting more and more accustomed to it.  First few stir crazy days in the house is a bit crap though, went out for a walk yesterday....two in fact as it was such a nice day.  Felt ok, will go for another today as my Hobbit belly is coming on somewhat

[adamj]

Thanks Nipper. Yeah I was wondering about the no water thing. Not sure how I'll manage that after a long Central Line trip at rush hour! I'm very happy for you, very good results. Hope me and knives will be the same in a few days (and anyone else suffering from gynecomastia at some point in their lives).

I have to work the next day, based on your experience do you think it's going to be horrific? I'll just be sat at a desk all day so should be ok right? Starting to think a bit deeper into this now. Getting close!

Any other tips you can think of at all? I might make a before and after thread on Wednesday and Thurs.

[Nipper]

I'm sure I ate later than 7 too maybe 8 pm but I wasn't in till 9 so it worked out more than 12hrs.  As for the water, my mouth was dry due to a stress flu I picked up a few days beforehand, which miraculously vanished after surgery!  I'm not sure I would like to go to work the next day, even if it was to just sit there, that's going to be hella surreal...almost too much, not from a physical point as I feel you could do it, if you have enough meds...but crikey, it would play on my mind all day, the time drags as it is, in the comfort of your own place.  But, up to you mate, if you have to....go for it!

[Nipper]

Best of luck for Thursday mate!

[kniveshurt]

Thanks Nipper.

Got to admit I'm feeling a bit nervous about it all, to be honest. Not looking forward to the GA, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Also, feel quite under-prepared. I mean I'm not sure what else I need to do, other than turn up, but still...

Like I said before, I just want to fast-forward 6 months so it's all done and over with.

Anyway less than 48 hours to go!

[wingman]

So there's three of us going in for surgery on Thursday? Quite surreal, you think you're alone in all this but we're really not at all.

[adamj]

Ha yeah, surreal indeed. I just tried to put it into words but couldn't!

Getting very nervous now. I feel unprepared as well, my plan is to turn up too. I've read the docs, no food and no drink and 'bring slippers', that's all i got really!

One more day of boobs, enjoy it guys. After that there will be no more shirts firmly on in summer, no more avoiding swimming like the plague, no more random people grabbing your chest in clubs and social situations, no more hurtful comments, no more being insecure changing and walking to the shower in the gym, no more choosing clothes based on how your chest looks in them, no more striving to keep your shirt on in during sex, no more awkward moments when when the wind is blowing in the direction you are walking, no more being terrified of shirts and skins, no more discomfort jogging in public, no more everything else that comes with gynecomastia! This is why we are doing it, it will all be worth it.

Thanks for all the support, check in tomorrow evening.

[gregory34]

good luck man, how much is it costing you? and did you talk with karidis about being awake during the surgery?

[Nipper]

Damn, 3 of you will be on the other side by tomorrow night.  That in itself, is pretty surreal.  And adamj, I feel your pain buddy, well I mean I felt it ha, an altogether different but welcome kind of pain now though.  It really did help that I went with someone but I would have gone through this alone if need be, such was my determination. 

Bah, I never took slippers man, you only gotta walk to the lift, they give you these green sock things to wear over your white stockings, it's all very fetching.  Knives, the GA is nothing mate, it's all very pleasant indeed, just relax and breath that gas and you'll be waking up (albeit with no cussing like me)  and your moobs will be in the bin fella! How's that for a slice of fried gold?

[Nipper]

And gregory, I think everyone pays about 4300 to go with Karidis.  Unless you get bloods done there or opt to stay a night at the clinic.  I'd say 4500 all in once you factor in your hotel and train etc.

[Nipper]

The plasters they gave me worked well and they stuck to my pits all week, but they do make you go a bit red n itchy, small price to pay imo.  They also give you some pads, I think they are to protect your bedding, should you be oozing a lot.  The nurse checks for this all the time.  I guess it's just dependent on the severity.  Make sure you go for a wee as soon as you feel the need as this is the deciding factor on discharging you, should you feel up to leaving.   But you still have to wait to see Karidis' nurse when she comes, after 3pm ish.

So you will have extra gear to bring back with you from the hospital, meds, vest, dressings etc,. I got them to put them in a carrier for me as I was only going outside.
I had a massive meal at about 7:30pm the night before and I also had a cup of black tea in the hotel about 9pm and that was it but I had a stress cold and was taking tablets so had a few gulps of water in the morning but could of got away with it easily. Try not to have anything at all after 7-7:30.

Check in at the first desk this time, no need to walk to back of clinic, it will be empty probably.  All the wards are just after you enter from the front, you will need the 1st floor.  I only realized there are two entrances the other day, do'h.  So when I say front, I mean the entrance near the tube station.  

[kniveshurt]

Cheers for the all the info, Nipper. Really helpful. I swear if it wasn't for this forum I'd be about a million times more nervous than I am at the moment. At least I know what to expect now - and from people that have actually been through it. It's such a massive help.

Oh and grego, my costs were:

£2800 Karidis fee (£1k of that being paid when I booked surgery, the rest paid at least 14 days before)
£1483 hospital fee (payable a week or two before)
£75 consultation fee (apparently this is a donation to charity)
£143 blood tests (I got them done at St John's. A rip-off no doubt, but it would've been too much hassle getting them from my GP - plus I figured I'd shelled out a few grand already.)

I didn't have any hotel/train costs as I live in London, so yeah in total it's cost me around £4,500. It sounds like a lot, but to be honest, I'd pay double that to get rid of my gyne for good (you can see how bad it is in my pics!)

Had a call from one of the nurse's from Karidis' office today just to check everything was OK for tomorrow and answer any questions. She was lovely and really put my mind at ease. I'm apparently going down to theatre at 9am.

So, in 24 hours it'll all be over and I'll hopefully be getting ready to be discharged. It's all feeling very, very surreal at the moment.

[Nipper]

I went down for about 9 ish mate, was back in my room for 11 drinking tea and scoffing a few rich tea biccies.  Dinner isn't for about an hour after you wake up but I tell you, I was hank when I awoke

[adamj]

Thanks Nipper for all of your support, you have been great. Got the call from the nurse too, was nice.

Yeh Gregor, same costs for me.

Boardwalk Empire and bed time now.

Knives, Wingman - good luck.

[Nipper]

Anytime guys, I'm sure one or two of the four today will do exactly as I have this past week or so.  Paying my dues to this forum..  without it I'd still be suffering, alone.