A Good NHS Experience

[Puddle]

This isn't my first post on this forum. I originally posted a couple of times late last year but since then there's been a lot of turmoil in my life and I've forgotten my username and password.

I originally went to see my NHS GP in September 2007 and was immediately referred to a consultant. I saw the consultant a month later (October) and was told I was right to come to get the problem corrected and that I should have done it earlier (I'm 24). They did blood work that day and I went for my pre-med 3 weeks ago where they took more blood and I saw a second consultant and a nurse about the procedure.

In fact, the operation is going ahead on the 29th of February. I never expected the NHS to work so quickly but I've been really impressed with the staff and attitude towards the problem.

I'll be updating with how the procedure goes and my experiences in the ward once I get out (they tell me it could be up to 5 days I'm in the hospital).

I just wanted to say that it's worth trying the NHS route. It seems that many people on these forums have gotten the run-around by the NHS, but I haven't had that experience at all. You may find that they are far more helpful then you thought.

The most difficult thing about all this was telling my parents and the outpouring of emotion after hiding the problem for 10 years. Don't let the problem fester, get it fixed asap!

:EDIT: Something I wanted to add was that I was told that they may have to remove excess skin. Now, I don't actually believe my Gynecomastia is bad enough to leave the skin permanently in excess (I can't be sure though). What I really don't want is huge scars from skin removal as this would mean trading one disfiguring problem for another. Is it likely that if there's a bit of skin creasing, as I start working out my chest and building up my pectorals, that it will fill out slight excess skin?

[londoner]

hi mate. First off, congratulations on getting the op through the NHS. That's not easy.

Secondly, I had my op on monday. I'm wearing my chest-compression vest as we speak. As for excess skin, well really at the age of 24, your skin is still quite adaptable. I'm 22, and from the sounds of it, my gyno wasn't too much worse/better than yours. Infact you can see my gyno pre-op here.



If your surgeon has any professionalism, then he will make the incision under the nipple, leaving minimal to NO scars whatsoever. There may be a small scar to begin with, but over time this will heal.

As for working out, i've been advised not to go back to the gym for a good 4 weeks. No upper body work for 6.

The operation is really nothing to worry about either. They will give you general anaestetic and before you know it, you'll awake with a flat chest!

If you've got any other questions that I might be able to help you with, go ahead geezer.

Nice one.

[Puddle]

Thanks for the post, it's given me more confidence about the procedure. I was starting to get cold feet as it's only two days away!

I was wondering, did the NHS provide you with your compression vest? Or did you have to buy it yourself from somewhere?

[newmanby30]

Hiya Puddle,

It was nice to read your story and realise that it completely mirrors my own - although I am a couple of months behind you!

I too have been pleased and relieved at the fast turnaround from my initial meeting with my GP. The referral to endocrinology and then the plastic surgeon came through within just a few weeks - I then waited a further 3 months and now have my surgery date of April 23rd.

I completely echo your sentiments about telling the people closest to you. It's "SO" hard to do because the feelings of utter shame are so strong. But if you have a close family they will want to do whatever they can in their power to help. What I did personally was imagined a friend coming to me with an equivalent problem - if you recognised the turmol they were facing you would be nothing but supportive. So it's the same for us!!

My condition is probably pretty mild in the grand scheme of things. Aside from my fleshy chest, the rest of my torso/stomach aren't too bad - but never EVER have I stood upright infront of a friend / partner or family member with my chest on show. It's ridiculous when you think about it - 30 whole years of shuffling off to take your T shirt off!! *shakes head in disbelief*

Anyway, I shall be heading to Wythenshawe Hospital on the 22nd April for what I hope will be the start of my new existence. I'm a tad nervous on the basis that I don't think of NHS surgeons as being "specialists" in their field - but its too late for that now. I have free surgery and I'm just going to close my eyes tight and pray!

I'll keep you posted....

Puddle, by my reckoning you are now in recovery - can you give us an idea of how your scars and chest are healing? Are you happy? I hope so!!!!!!

Cheers
New Man

[notobvious]

hi puddle, what part of the UK are you in?
I'm going to the docs in a couple of months to try and get it sorted and hopefully you're in a similar area as me, it will make me hopeful for the timeframe!

[Jim1985]

Londoner and Puddle. How are things coming along? How's the healing going? Hope you're both doing well.

[londoner]

just to be clear, my op was not on the nhs, but my chest is a LOT better now. Still a tiny bit of puffyness round my right nipple, but i'm massaging it and its getting better.

I would definately recommend Mr Chana at The Spire in bushey (north west london/herts area).

[WXYZ]

Puddle was supposed to have the op on the 29th Feb but he hasn't come back on here since. I hope nothing went wrong. I'm a little worried about the NHS route, even though it's free, my concern is for it to be done right, done once and for the care to be good.

I've visited family members and friends in hospitals for various illnesses/Ops (not gyne) and have not been at all impressed by some NHS staff (though a few are good).  I wonder how are NHS staff when dealing with gyne? It's not something they see all the time.