Hey brother, thanks for the kind wishes. I have read so many great threads on this site and I wouldnt be in the position I am now without them so I wanted to give something back. I will keep updating this thread as I go along, I know how valuable I found them when making up my mind and I would like to help others along their journeys.
With regards to the NHS, I cant really give much advice.
I only want to do this once and am "electing" to get this surgery. By that I mean, my condition isnt severe enough that I couldnt live with it. It bothers me and has attracted some comments from others, but for the most part its minimal compared to some I have seen. i have had stunning girlfriends, have a great job and have led a pretty great life all things considered so far. However, regardless of all this, I decided I wanted the surgery......it affects my life in other ways (the clothes I wear, motivation to work out and be healthy, self consciousness the first time a girl sees me with my shirt off etc). I genuinely think with a surgeon like Karidis, anything will be an improvement. I dont expect the world e.g-sculpted pecs, but I do think he will give me a normal male chest which will respond as a normal chest does....this is a big deal for me as I have some serious plans to change my physique.
I have gotten very lean in the past and still my chest didnt look right (this was when I thought it was something which could be worked off). I have a trip to the beach in a couple months and dont want to be pinching my nipples and feeling awkward about my chest when I go....I have spent summers and holidays like that and it is not good. Wasted years and time I wont get back. The most noticeable thing was the gland, like I said, very lean but with puffy nipples and a slight femine contour. I can tell from feeling the area that the glan is quite large and I will be stressing that to Karidis before surgery. I know he is an expert and will undoubtedly pick up on this but letting him know will make me feel better
I think it depends on your personal situation and how soon you can get the money. If it will be years before you will be in a position to get the surgery and the condition severly affects your life, maybe the NHS route would be best. Losing time becasue of moobs is time you wont get back. I am fortunate enough where I have the money and live in the same city as Karidis.
My mum will also be there after the surgery. A few months ago I got up the guts to tell her about what I was going through....I was embarrased, ashamed (Why?) and even felt something like a sense of guilt (again, why?). She and my dad have been so supportive since then, even lending me 1K to get the surgery done. I still havent been able to talk about it with my dad so she kinda acts like my messenger through it all.....again those feelings of shame come flooding through. But he knows I am having the surgery and wont bring it up, probably becasue he knows how awkward I feel about it. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people as family and I would honestly advise anyone who hasnt, to let their parents know what theyre going through.
Anyway, another long post to clear my head. Im sure there will be more
The countdown to surgery is on!
Hope everyone is well