High schooler with gynecomastia
10-29-2018, 11:18 AM
Hey buddy, it's pretty tough to live with and can be embarrassing because you will feel insecure and probably ashamed about it.
Easy for us to say you shouldn't but that's unfortunately how it is.
It happens to 1/3 boys under 18 and for some it doesn't go away. I was one of these kids and it made my life pretty difficult, I was very self conscious of it.
Pinch around your nipples (like an OK diver's sign) and see if you feel a hard lump.
If so, that's the breast tissue (gyno).
I developed this as my mother insisted on me being vegetarian when I was < 10 years old and I had soy (lol) in my diet. Gluten, sugar and unhealthy lifestyles perpetuate it too.
Step 1 - Speak to your parents and make sure they understand/you're on the same page.
Do some research, go through it with them and speak to them. I am sure they will have noticed as well. I know another kid who has it now (girlfriend's family) who hasn't mentioned it to his parents but they already know.
You just need to let them know how it affects you and that it's serious.
edit: called my girl now and she mentioned that he was put on some estrogen-suppressing steroids this week. That might be an option too, as per your visit to the endocrinologist. I don't know about US health laws though. He is 14, for what it's worth. Too young if you ask me but he also has other problems.
Step 2 - Visit an endocrinologist
This is the doctor who will do tests to check your hormones. Gyno is breast tissue that is hardened, just under your nipple. Sometimes it's temporary, other times it's permanent.
He/she will be able to confirm your estrogen levels and advise on what the best course of action is.
Step 3 - Hit the gym and lose as much body fat as you can + clean up your diet
Some guys have puffy nipples, genetically. They come out when your body fat % is above a certain threshold. Try and shed as much as you can and use the process of elimination to figure out if it's permanent or not, with the advice of doctors.
Also, decline bench press can help flatten it out but of course, to a degree.
Eat as clean as possible. You're fortunate as you have a reason and motivation to and this will carry you far in life.
Step 4 - Find a surgeon who specializes in such operations and book an appointment.
Once you have done the above steps, you will have an approximate idea about whether it's gyno or not (especially after the endocrinologist).
I would suggest meeting with a few. The best way is usually by referral but a lot of people don't discuss these procedures so find a few, speak to them.
If they know what they are doing, they will show you previous outpatients (before and after pictures), they will be able to explain what insurance covers and what it doesn't and give you proper advice.
Unfortunately, my insurance didn't cover it (Europe) as they considered it 'cosmetic' surgery. This was 10 years ago, last month. I am not sure by how much it changed now. I was lucky that my mother is prominent in the medical circles where I came from so it wasn't a big financial hurdle and that she knew the doctors inside out.
Sometimes, they will also give you a discount if you agree to be featured in their 'books' which show before and after.
Step 5 - The operation
It's a pretty simple one, I stayed one night in hospital. Full anesthesia.
8 incisions under your chest, where your pectoral muscle connects. This is for the liposuction. The incisions were 8-10mm. I still have scars.
A half circle incision on your nipple. This is where they remove the actual tissue and it varies on the individual.
The operation is pretty quick and you will figure out pretty fast that being an anesthesiologist is a pretty rewarding profession (ha).
The recovery will take around 6-8 weeks, depending.
The first 5 days will be hell, it's really painful. You can't move your arms properly, you have to be conscious of your movement, laughter etc. You will need your mom or dad to help you bath and you will need to wear a bin bag or something similar around your torso to ensure you don't wet it, especially as you will have stitches.
If you can get the dissolvable stitches around your nipple, then great.
You will need to wear a compression vest for your full recovery period. Don't skip this. Do it. You will want it because your chest will be as flat as an ironing board and you will feel liberated.
The recovery is just as important as the surgery, you will need to rub into your scars, especially on the nipples to ensure that they don't become puffy as they will 'set' afterwards. Don't skip this. I did towards the end and my nipples are slightly puffy but nothing major.
Whatever you do, don't rush into it. Ensure you trust your medical professionals. You are lucky that we are in 2018 where there's information everywhere and you can make a reasonably educated assumption about this.
The confidence you will get is life changing. You don't need to tell people if you don't want to. I only told my close friends who I trusted. Another guy in my class gave me a nipple twister 2 weeks later and it was the most excruciating pain I have ever had and I have broken bones, torn ligaments, been in fights, car accidents etc. so try to at least not have that happen to you.
If I could do it again, I would, 1000 times. I was 17 when I had the procedure. The doctor was friends with my mother, as was the anesthesiologist and endocrinologist so they did me a solid; normally you have to be 18.
It was life changing.
Finally, if you ever need anyone to talk to about this, if you're ever not sure about what to do, need advice or just someone to hear you complain about it, feel free to PM me. I am here for anything you need. I know what it's like, I know it's tough, regardless of how externally tough it is.
On the plus side, this will make you resilient.
Best of luck and remember, it only gets better from here.
