GYNO LOG
How did I get gyno: I have had gynecomastia since puberty.While at first I had some level of insecurity about it, I didn’t really let it get in the way of normal activities or even consider surgical removal until I began body building. I definitely was self conscious about it, and didn’t like it, but I just ignored and get used to it. When I was younger i competitively ran XC, did track & field, swam and played water polo, while I had gynecomastia, and later boxed as well, and didn’t think about how to fix it since it was a non-issue in sport and in my personal life.
Why it got worse:
When I started using steroids, I found that i will not produce an excessive amount of e2, but I’m sensitive to e2 itself, and with ment especially (methylated estradiol) if I am overly fat I will have serious problems with gynecomastia growing. Using NPP and tren together would also cause some very obvious sensation and eventually growth.
I tried raloxifene at one point, and frankly I didn’t notice any exceptional results. But this may have been because my gynecomastia had already become hardened masses.
Regarding the surgery:
Cost:
6.8k RMB per unilateral mastectomy, totaling 13.6k RMB (1,900 USD)
3hours Anesthesia fee- 1,500 RMB (200 USD)
Other costs for pre and post operative care including bloodwork (blood, lipids, liver, kidney, hormones, blood clotting analysis) ECG, urinalysis, X-RAY, ultrasound, IV antibiotics, surgical dressings, inpatient care for 5 days. 3700RMB (515usd)
Findings: all blood work was normal, except for ALT AST because I am on trenbolone.
Blood pressure 110/65 heart rate 63.
Small signs of LVH, normal heart rhythms
2 masses, one in each pec
The surgery prep:
I did training, cardio everything normal, cycle normal. The day of surgery i did 45 minutes cardio fasted in the morning and fasted until the surgery, no water and no hormones, fat burners or any medications whatsoever. This means I was fasting from 8pm Thursday night, until 7pm Friday night.
I was told not to smoke, don’t drink, of course fast before the surgery.
The surgery:
At 12:00 the doctors began. First I simply laid on the operating table, and we arranged my arms at the sides slightly overhead to make the gynecomastia more obvious, they marked where the incisions would be earlier.
I have overdeveloped front deltoids and in some positions my arms will fall asleep as the shoulder muscles don’t allow proper circulation. The surgeons worked with me to put my arms in positions that would not go numb, because before I consented to begin the anesthesia my arms were going numb from the initial positioning. They brought some pillows/ tools to prop up my arms so they could stretch the pecs and lift my arms at the same time.
Once my arms were not going numb they asked if I am clear about the terms of the surgery, if I would consent to a catheter if it were deemed necessary, once again checked if I was able to consent, and then I gave consent to begin to the surgery as well as a catheter were it deemed necessary.
They put the mask that dispelled anesthesia on and I just began to count. Before I got to five I woke up again, I had a strange sensation in my genitals but didn’t open my eyes or move. It turned out there was a catheter, and I was told that 1. The surgery was successfully completed in 3 hours, 2. That they put in a catheter 3. No fat was removed, only two hard masses that appeared to have a soft gel like covering that was clear .
When I became more lucid I was able to look down and see my chest was wrapped in bandages, I had tubes filling up with blood coming out of the side of my torso, that I could not move my legs, and felt that my throat was extremely raspy from inhaling the anesthesia with an open mouth. This also will happen with my CPAP machine, but it was much worse with anesthesia.
Post operative care:
firstly I was told I could eat 3 hours after my surgery. I was also told I cannot sleep directly after. Every once in a while nurses would come in to check if I was awake, and check how much fluids the tubes were accumulating. I was put on an IV with sodium chloride, and antibiotics.
To be honest I could barely move my legs at that time after not eating for nearly a day, doing fasted cardio, having the surgery and because it hurt to move my legs because of the catheter.
My wife brought my meal prep, and helped me set it up on the hospital bed. Time for breakfast at 7pm, and to try to crush 6 meals. Only got 4, and passed out.
The next morning they took the catheter out, and I could walk around normally. To be honest at this point or even the night before I could’ve gone home if I just didn’t have that catheter in. I continued my cycle in the hospital since my training was already done for the week, and I continued training so I’m not missing any weeks or sessions.
However the medical system here is much stricter, in terms of post operative care, so I was not allowed to be discharged from the hospital.
I stayed from Friday, until Wednesday morning. Tuesday night I could go home but they had me return Wednesday morning for more IV treatment, and to settle my bills. Tuesday I returned to the gym, and did some cardio. Wednesday I was able to return to work and gym since the hospital didn’t fuck my schedule up.
My wife helped me do my meal prep, and I replaced some meat with Greek yogurt since it really is easier for me to digest on a heavy dosage of antibiotics. I also substituted some carbs for fresh fruit, just to help with hydration a bit more, and micronutrients. Made sure to get a lot of vegetables. Even on low calories it was not so bad because my appetite was shit due to the surgery, lack of movement and antibiotics.
Frankly this part of the experience I think was pretty unnecessary. I was only allowed to be discharged when I had the tubes removed and there was no more fluid coming out of my chest.
The doctors also gave some very questionable advice as culture here is different. For example they requested i do not shower for a month. I already went to work without showering 6 days.
I bought my coworkers coffee and so on to apologize. This medical advice (if you can call it that) I refuse to listen to. I went from an IV at the hospital straight back to my office, then gym and more work. I also took my daughter to do some bouldering, and finish my steps. I think any logical person could say a shower is necessary at that point. So when I got home that day I finally got a shower, qnd had my wife help me dress my wounds and put the strap/compression vest on.
Finally, I have to wear some vests/strap to keep pressure on my chest, and I clean and change the wounds’ dressings at night or post workout. I have 3 more days (from today until Saturday) of IV antibiotics which I go to after work and after I take my daughter to the park or whatever activity we have for family time. Last thing to note, my nipples are totally numb, and will not have sensation for perhaps up to 6 months or more and it may take a similar amount of time for inflammation to subsides.
