Finally after years and years, I pulled the trigger and got the surgery. This might be long. Due to a panic attack when flying, and the only available driver being my 78 yo grandmother, traveling long distance to a well known gyno surgeon was out of the question. I got 4 local consultations. I personally thought I could start with excision only as I have little fat and clearly large masses. I wanted to use a well known doc, but closest one was 8 hours away.
First PS went on and on about my prior prohormone use. I mentioned it really grew my existing gynecomastia one time, and he kept bringing it up and pissed me off. Plus he wouldn't unless I quit smoking 3 weeks prior. Price for lipo plus excision was 4,600. 3 to 6 surgeries a year.
Second PS came in the room, immediately explained his procedure, then asked for questions. Didn't introduce his self, ask how I was doing, ask me any questions, nothing. He flat out looked uninterested and came off like he was in a hurry. He clearly wasn't crazy about it, during the entire consultation including till he left. When I asked if he had pics of his past surgeries like a gallery, he laughed out loud. Price for both was 4,600, 3 to 6 surgeries a year.
Third PS was a decent consultation. He wanted to try to get insurance to cover excision. But after seeing his price I didn't go back. Price for both was 8,500. That's what I'd pay a well known gyno specialist, not a no Name local surgeon, 3 to 6 a year.
The one I went with was a general surgeon who specializes in breast surgery. He does all the local men and women breast surgeries. I loved his consultation, took time listening, asking questions. I felt I could trust him, and he's been doing it a long time and knew what he was talking about. We pursued insurance but they were asking for more and more things. Surgeon felt with mine being primarily tissue, I'd be happy with trying excision only first. I ended up paying out of pocket, then finding out insurance will pay some. So I should see a reimbursement of some money soon. Paid $3,000. He asked how much gland to remove and I told him as much as possible. He didn't prefer drain tubes, but decided during the surgery. I didn't want any but that was his call. They looked like a pia to deal with
As of today, about 3.5 weeks post op. I used ibuprofen but could have gone without anything. Bruising gone, swelling in both sides with one having more. My 2nd biggest problem with my surgeon was aftercare. I knew better from research but he said he noticed little difference in past patients wearing compression vests, and didn't say I needed one. I ended up buying a compression shirt but found out it wasn't tight enough. Due to size of one mass, he used one drain tube but it clogged 4 days in so he removed it and wanted to see if body would absorb the fluid.
Main problem has been recurring seromas, probably from lack of compression until 2 days ago. I have had 55ml in one side, and 60 in the other, drained two different times. After both draining, they refilled in 3 days. Although after last drain but before I bought the vest, both slowly began to subside. My surgeon is not crazy about draining, citing risk of infection. Pretty sure he wants the body to rid the fluid and not rely on needles. He has been quick to fit me in everytime I wanted to see him. I understand his angle, but these got extra large from the fluid. I have 3 months of paid office visits from paying.
Considering I still have some fluid that appears to be going away, I'm happy with the way my chest looks 3.5 weeks out. I might need lipo under my nipple, but that may resolve when swelling goes away. Truth is, I'm not a body builder nor one who's ever been under 15% bf. Nor will I ever, I've always been slightly overweight and learned to be content at my weight. I can run my 30 or so miles a week and eat whatever, and l cycle lifting heavy weights thru out the year. They say you don't see results till 3 to 6 months, so I could end up really needing lipo or even happier than I am now down the road. I probably forgot a bunch of things, and may add more later. Despite the serious pain from big seromas, I'd absolutely go thru everything again to get rid of the massive tissue I had. I couldn't wear anything light colored and had to always wear loose shirts. I could not be see without a shirt in the summer, ever. So glad I decided to go through with it, and feel despite my issue with his post op care, I chose a good surgeon based on how I look this early on.
