My story: Gyne surgery + abdominal & flanks lipo / Los Angeles, Dr Dadvand

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Hey Bobby, just wanted to let you know I finally put some pics up here: https://www.gynecomastia.org/smf/2/my-surgery-pics-gynecomastia-lipo-on-abs-flanks-dr-delgado-1815/msg195266/#msg195266

I hope it's okay that I included a link to your thread since you have such a comprehensive account of a similar surgery to mine.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

"Sid"

Sid,

Not at all and I'm glad that you've posted some pictures.  It gives hopes to others that there is hope, if the right surgeon is chosen.

---Bobby

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Week 3 - that's how things looked at week 3.  I'm happy with the results for this stage.  I know my body and skin have some work to do in the next few months.

[Sid Farkus]

Looking great! And you don't seem to have too much swelling, maybe there is something to that massage.

As for you're excuses, I assume your work life is separate enough from family and close friends that thia "ladder accident" won't come up between the wrong people.

My hernia excuse seemed to work fine, although one co-worker's brother-in-law apparently had a hernia, so he asked me a few potentially awkward questions, but it was fine. After I selected that excuse I did a bunch of research on hernias in preparation for such situations.   Otherwise, I've been laying low socially since my surgery. I may be seeing a couple of close friends next week and I may or may not tell them, but I'm not stressing over it. One reason I had surgery was escape having to tell lies due to gynecomastia.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Looking great! And you don't seem to have too much swelling, maybe there is something to that massage.

As for you're excuses, I assume your work life is separate enough from family and close friends that thia "ladder accident" won't come up between the wrong people.

My hernia excuse seemed to work fine, although one co-worker's brother-in-law apparently had a hernia, so he asked me a few potentially awkward questions, but it was fine. After I selected that excuse I did a bunch of research on hernias in preparation for such situations.   Otherwise, I've been laying low socially since my surgery. I may be seeing a couple of close friends next week and I may or may not tell them, but I'm not stressing over it. One reason I had surgery was escape having to tell lies due to gynecomastia.

Yup! I don't hang out with my colleagues on weekends! Just very occasional hiking with one of them. Even then, no families are involved, just us.  I have also brought a donut-shped seat cushion for my chair at work to 'help' with the fractured tailbone pain 

You are right, the swellings go down noticeably a couple of days after each endermologie session.  I'm glad I'm doing it.

When is your next visit with Dr Delgado?

---Bobby

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Staying Away from Physical Activities: in my opinion has been the hardest part of the process.  I have been told that for the first 6 weeks after surgery, I may not go back to gym, I may not lift anything heavier than 15 lbs., I may not do any hiking or running and in general, I may not do anything that increases my blood pressure.  All I'm allowed to do is light walking!

I look at myself in the mirror and notice that my biceps and triceps muscles' volume and definition is deteriorating.  I have also noticed that my whole body started looking soft and flappy and I don't like it.  My abdomen has started looking bigger.  I know there's less fat there, but it's because the muscles are not holding tight! 

I also missed the mental feeling you get when you walk out of the gym after a nice hard workout; serotonin effect!

Can't wait to get clearance from Dr D to go back to gym!

[Sid Farkus]

Man, I'm so with you on this one. Yeah, the first week was pretty painful, but now one month out (one month today!) and still not being able to do *anything* physical sucks. I'm so damn restless. Oh well, gotta just be thankful that restlessness is my primary concern 4 weeks post-op. Things could be a hell of a lot worse.

I am looking forward to being able to workout and get actual results for the first time in my life, instead of sweating my a$$ off in a futile attempt to shrink my boobs.

Staying Away from Physical Activities: in my opinion has been the hardest part of the process.  I have been told that for the first 6 weeks after surgery, I may not go back to gym, I may not lift anything heavier than 15 lbs., I may not do any hiking or running and in general, I may not do anything that increases my blood pressure.  All I'm allowed to do is light walking!

I look at myself in the mirror and notice that my biceps and triceps muscles' volume and definition is deteriorating.  I have also noticed that my whole body started looking soft and flappy and I don't like it.  My abdomen has started looking bigger.  I know there's less fat there, but it's because the muscles are not holding tight! 

I also missed the mental feeling you get when you walk out of the gym after a nice hard workout; serotonin effect!

Can't wait to get clearance from Dr D to go back to gym!

I see Delgado next Wednesday. I believe he said I'll be starting the scar treatment then. And hopefully I'll get the go ahead to do some light exercise. I'm still a little concerned about the "swelling" around my abdomen and flanks, it looks pretty fat to me and doesn't seem to be going down but I'm probably just being paranoid. Also, I was definitely more flabby than you were down there, so I can't really compare my results to yours.

I have heard that it's common to get a little more swelling once you start exercising, but it apparently doesn't last too long.

Still, haven't had any problems at will with my chest, so I'm happy about that.

When is your next visit with Dr Delgado?

---Bobby

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Man, I'm so with you on this one. Yeah, the first week was pretty painful, but now one month out (one month today!) and still not being able to do *anything* physical sucks. I'm so damn restless. Oh well, gotta just be thankful that restlessness is my primary concern 4 weeks post-op. Things could be a hell of a lot worse.

I am looking forward to being able to workout and get actual results for the first time in my life, instead of sweating my a$$ off in a futile attempt to shrink my boobs.

Staying Away from Physical Activities: in my opinion has been the hardest part of the process.  I have been told that for the first 6 weeks after surgery, I may not go back to gym, I may not lift anything heavier than 15 lbs., I may not do any hiking or running and in general, I may not do anything that increases my blood pressure.  All I'm allowed to do is light walking!

I look at myself in the mirror and notice that my biceps and triceps muscles' volume and definition is deteriorating.  I have also noticed that my whole body started looking soft and flappy and I don't like it.  My abdomen has started looking bigger.  I know there's less fat there, but it's because the muscles are not holding tight! 

I also missed the mental feeling you get when you walk out of the gym after a nice hard workout; serotonin effect!

Can't wait to get clearance from Dr D to go back to gym!

I see Delgado next Wednesday. I believe he said I'll be starting the scar treatment then. And hopefully I'll get the go ahead to do some light exercise. I'm still a little concerned about the "swelling" around my abdomen and flanks, it looks pretty fat to me and doesn't seem to be going down but I'm probably just being paranoid. Also, I was definitely more flabby than you were down there, so I can't really compare my results to yours.

I have heard that it's common to get a little more swelling once you start exercising, but it apparently doesn't last too long.

Still, haven't had any problems at will with my chest, so I'm happy about that.

When is your next visit with Dr Delgado?

---Bobby

Congrats on your 4 week post-op Sid!  It's a great feeling when I (I'm sure you too) think of G as a thing of past.  I'm still getting used to the feeling of not having the bumps on my chest. 

Remember, it will take months, not weeks to see the final results.  So hopefully all those swellings go down soon.

Good luck and keep us posted.
---Bobby

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Week 4, with 3 sessions of endermologie.  Swellings are very minimal, but I'm still wearing both compression tops and the abdominal binder.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Week 5 Visit:  I met with Dr Dadvand today.  He examined me and expresse4d his satisfaction with my healing progress. Thanks to endermologie, swelling is under control and my chest and abdomen have started to get a normal shape.  He said he normally doesn't take pictures at one month post-op, but because of my progress he did take some, for the record!

He also told me that - thankfully - I have no scar tissues... what a relief!

I was given new orders:

  ## I can ditch the abdominal binder now.  This one was huge!  I can finally wear my regular shirts without worrying about the binder show from underneath and it's also a great feeling not to have that thing around me anymore!

  ## He wanted me to hold off on working out for one more week and then follow the workout protocol he gave me.

  ## I need to wear the compression vests for at least one more week and after that continue with the vest at least the nights after I have worked out.  I told him I'm planning to continue wearing them for a while as I feel more secured when I have them on!  He said it's not really necessary, but there won't be any harm.

  ## Dr D showed me a specific technique that I need to apply massage to nipple and surrounding area with two fingers to make sure there's no attachment of the outer layer to underneath.

He mentioned that I'm still swollen and should see the final results by summer time.  He said once I start working out, my chest skin will be 're-draped' over time and look more natural.  I just have to give it some time.

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Protocol to Resume Workout:

Dr Dadvand gave me the following instructions on how to go back to gym:

  - avoid going back to gym for 6 complete weeks. He told me I'm still swollen and I still need to take it easy.

  - during week 7, using caution and common sense, the order was:
    -- leg workout: no restrictions.
    -- back workout: no restrictions.
    -- biceps workout: allowed but try to isolate the bicep muscles.
    -- triceps workout: allowed but absolutely no dips that puts pressure on shoulder and chest.
    -- shoulder workout: not allowed.
    -- chest workout: absolutely not allowed.
    -- abdomen and core workout: is fine.

  - starting week 8: no restrictions; just go at it but make sure practice common sense and gradually build up on the weight loads and resistance.


I was also told to wear compression vest during the nights after workout to control the swellings.




Oh, one more thing: time to enjoy the new body at the gym!

[s00ntobe]

haha awesome progress man^

[Bobby - LAgyne]

haha awesome progress man^

Thank you, s00n!  I'm happy with what I see already and very exited to see the final results!

Are you entertaining the idea or you're already on the other side?

---Bobby

[jimmy472]

Do you have any current pictures taken from the side?

[Tony411LA]

Protocol to Resume Workout:

Dr Dadvand gave me the following instructions on how to go back to gym:

  - avoid going back to gym for 6 complete weeks. He told me I'm still swollen and I still need to take it easy.

  - during week 7, using caution and common sense, the order was:
    -- leg workout: no restrictions.
    -- back workout: no restrictions.
    -- biceps workout: allowed but try to isolate the bicep muscles.
    -- triceps workout: allowed but absolutely no dips that puts pressure on shoulder and chest.
    -- shoulder workout: not allowed.
    -- chest workout: absolutely not allowed.
    -- abdomen and core workout: is fine.

  - starting week 8: no restrictions; just go at it but make sure practice common sense and gradually build up on the weight loads and resistance.


I was also told to wear compression vest during the nights after workout to control the swellings.




Oh, one more thing: time to enjoy the new body at the gym!

Congrats on your progress.  Our stories are almost identical, except I am only 3 weeks post op, but I also had my gyno surgery and abs and flanks lipo with Dr. Dadvand. I selected Dr. Dadvand in part based on your review on RealSelf.  I am also seeing Pamela for Endermologie. (I've had 4 session in the last two weeks). It has definitely helped reduce my swelling.  I also ditched the vest at week 2 for a 2nd stage compression shirt Dr. D. recommended.  I feel exactly as you did about not being able to workout.  It's killing me because I feel like my body is turning to mush.  Thank you for posting such a detailed account of your experience, since you are several weeks ahead of me, it has made it easy for me to know what to expect.   One question about the workout regimen he prescribed.  Did Dr. Dadvand say anything about cardio?

[Bobby - LAgyne]

Do you have any current pictures taken from the side?

Sure! I will post some new pics soon.