Gynecomastia

LegacyUser

Unsurprisingly, I'm going 'Unreg' for this (a great option by the way).

Basically, I've had Gynecomastia since my early teens.

It's tough to deal with, I can't remember the last time I've wore a t-shirt out (without a second layer underneath) and despite being a lover of sport, it's a struggle to do any sort of physical activity for obvious reasons.

I've been reading on some of the forums dedicated to this problem, and decided that I'm going to change my life and look into getting surgery to sort this out. The problem is, on the 'gyne' forums, despite posters from The UK being delighted about the results of their surgery over there, there's virtually no Irishman on it to ask about surgery in Ireland.

So, I thought I'd ask on here. Have any of you suffered with this problem and gone for the surgery? Where did you go and how much did it cost, were you happy with it, etc?

I'd like to end by saying I'm not looking for medical advice, I'm just hoping to here from people who have/had the same problem with me, and their experieces of getting it sorted out.

Also, I'm not overweight, I don't take steroids, and it's definitely gynecomastia.

I'd be very, very greatful for any responses.

Thanks

ChewChew

Gynecomastia is a pretty common surgery tbh. Just speak to your gp and get a referral letter sent off to the hospital in your catchment area, you'll be called for an OPD appointment with a general surgeon who in turn will place you on a waiting list for surgery if he/she feels it is necessary. But deffo speak to your GP.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the reply 'ChewChew'.

Unfortunately, my GP has whats seems to be the common Doctors prognosis in which he seems to think it's a problem that will go away over time (I'm 23 now, and after doing my research this problem isn't going away without surgery). The effects people can suffer when they've built up the courage to talk to their GP about it only to be turned away of any help isn't good.

That's why I'm willing to pay the money to go private. I'd also rather pay the money (I don't have health insurance) to go private, as from reading reports, it's a better performed surgery.

wex1234

While the surgery is available through referral from your GP and free of charge once you're covered by VHI, I'm not entirely sure if all of the equipment for an optimal procedure is available to the surgeon in these circumstances.

About five years ago I asked my GP (less than satisfactory would be a huge understatement - told me to just do military presses and avoid taking off my shirt - wtf!?) for a referral to an endocrinologist who then referred me to one of the country's leading cosmetic and re-constructive surgeons.

I had one operation to remove the tissue and another to remove some more tissue and reduce the size of the areola. Although the surgeon did his best with the equipment that was available to him, no liposuction was performed (not covered by VHI, as far as I know, as it's cosmetic) and, as a result, my chest lacks contour and both of my nipples are slightly concave.

Don't get me wrong, my chest looks a LOT better compared to how it used to look (I was seriously overweight as a teenager) but the lack of equipment available due to this being performed non-private, has definitely hampered the results somewhat.

Now, I'm thinking of approaching Dundrum Clinic for a consultation to see if there's anything they could improve on. Any experiences with Dundrum, guys?

demonspawn

I had to look up what you were talking about.

Well, I honestly don't think it's a big deal. I've had a couple of friends with this condition and they seemed ok with it, but if you want to have the surgery so you feel better about your body image then by all means do it!! You shouldn't have to suffer low self-esteem or have to hide yourself because of something you don't like about your body.

I'd suggest going to the UK though as I don't think many surgeons in Ireland have much experience with this sort of procedure (I could be completely wrong of course) and you don't want them practicing their technique on you. Talk to several surgeons and find the best one you can afford tbh.

LegacyUser

Can someone please give me a clear answer on weather VHI will cover the costs (or any costs for that matter) in a private hospital?

LegacyUser

i had the same problem since i was 12. got the surgery done when i was 18 well just before i start college i think. the surgery didnt cost anything as i was waiting list with hse.(i not sure of what the scheme called but you get Gynecomastia surgery done for free) i got the surgery done in the mater hospital . and surgeons in Ireland have lot experience doing this procedure. as Gynecomastia is comman codition in men.

hope this helps

anymore question ask

LegacyUser

Jim the bin wrote: »

Can someone please give me a clear answer on weather VHI will cover the costs (or any costs for that matter) in a private hospital?

Bumping this, VHI will more than likely cover this operation, just clear it with the surgeon on your consultation, I had this operation done and it is without a doubt the best thing I have ever done. With the advancements in surgery and the skill of modern doctors in this day and age we can have operations like this that people 50 years ago would have dreamed about, its your body and if it holds you back then go for it.

alexsmith

hi908 wrote: »

i had the same problem since i was 12. got the surgery done when i was 18 well just before i start college i think. the surgery didnt cost anything as i was waiting list with hse.(i not sure of what the scheme called but you get Gynecomastia surgery done for free) i got the surgery done in the mater hospital . and surgeons in Ireland have lot experience doing this procedure. as Gynecomastia is comman codition in men.

hope this helps

anymore question ask

i have very bady gyno since i was about 12/13...im training to be a bodybuilder but il never take roids.i want to get it removed and your saying its free? i didnt think the hse would do surgery for free...take me through your steps so i can get rid of it please

sam34

Jim the bin wrote: »

Can someone please give me a clear answer on weather VHI will cover the costs (or any costs for that matter) in a private hospital?

ring VHI and ask them

alexsmith

Unregistered wrote: »

Bumping this, VHI will more than likely cover this operation, just clear it with the surgeon on your consultation, I had this operation done and it is without a doubt the best thing I have ever done. With the advancements in surgery and the skill of modern doctors in this day and age we can have operations like this that people 50 years ago would have dreamed about, its your body and if it holds you back then go for it.

please help a brother out,i have bad gyno but i dont have any money for the surgery,can you tell me how i can get it for free,whoi have to talk to etc? thanks

Khannie

Have you health insurance? A medical card?

alexsmith

Khannie wrote: »

Have you health insurance? A medical card?

i have a medical card yes....who will i need to talk to?

mackinfella

alexsmith wrote: »

Khannie wrote: »

Have you health insurance? A medical card?

i have a medical card yes....who will i need to talk to?

I know this an oldish thread but thought id try help.. my mate had gyno since he was 12 and he got surgery not long ago and his medical card covered it.

Gynecomastia is a medical condition and can affect a person badly as my mate couldnt even go out the door he was that worried about it.. he even quit his job as he was too paranoid.. it can affect different people in difference ways.. some worse than others.. everyone has the right to earn an income and if technically a medical condition is proventing this then yes the medical card will cover it... but a gp ref will be needed as already mentioned...

hope this helps.. and sorry for bumping an old thread

Martin Moriarty

Hey man
Had gyno since my early teens and egnored it thinking it was normal,,it was a real bad thing to have growing up and im now 28 and still have it.I went to my gp and he said its not so bad which realy pissd me off.I changed GPs and the new one put me on the waiting list for my local surgion.Although I was waiting 6 months i just have had one side operated on which was the worst side and im due to have the other side done soon.I have a medical card so it was all covered otherwise go private if you have the cash.My last word would be if you are not happy get it sorted cos 9 times out of 10 its not going away.Hope it works out for you.

Anon_1

This seems to be the most recent thread on this topic so I'll post here



OK so went to see my GP yesterday and got a referral to see a plastic surgeon in the public health system. I'm a PAYE employee who can't afford 4K for an op, but do have private health insurance in work. I told my GP about the health insurance but he suggested public health system was the better option.
His and my main worry is with the current climate that this op might be one of the procedures that's been culled due to cutbacks. So I just thought I'd see if anyone else has been given a green light in the last few months for the operation in the public health system?

Thanks

Martin Moriarty

Hello,as you can see from my earlier comment iv just had a mastectomy in the public health system,As you say you have been referred to a surgion as I was too but I did not see this surgion until 6 months after the referrial date so its a long wait,im sure if you have bad gyno you will be approved because i had a minor case,If you have private health insurance I would try to go that route or at least check it out.

Anon_1

Martin Moriarty wrote: »

Hello,as you can see from my earlier comment iv just had a mastectomy in the public health system,As you say you have been referred to a surgion as I was too but I did not see this surgion until 6 months after the referrial date so its a long wait,im sure if you have bad gyno you will be approved because i had a minor case,If you have private health insurance I would try to go that route or at least check it out.

Thanks for getting back to me so quick. That puts my mind at ease I have to say, was thinking there's no way they'll give it to me in the current climate. Mines pretty bad after losing 7 stone, so that too is encouraging that yours was a minor problem. I've no problem waiting as I've another 1.5 stone to lose to get to my BMI, hopefully don't have to wait 6 months though . To be honest I'm gonna take the advice of my GP and stick with the public system, he has me convinced it's the right option for me.

Thanks again.

LegacyUser

Hi guys,
I am giving some serious consideration to having vaser lipo treatment for Gynecomastia.
Has anyone here had vaser lipo? I've a few questions:
Are there any side effects I should be aware of?
How long timewise between consultation and treatment?
Do I need to have blood tests done before the treatment?
and also cost wise, I'm seeing nothing cheaper than 2500 in Ireland and the UK seem to have similar prices, where is the best place to go? There seems to be a few places in Dublin that do it, but the price seems to vary by about 1000 or more.

Thanks guys.

mackinfella

few Q's wrote: »

Hi guys,
I am giving some serious consideration to having vaser lipo treatment for Gynecomastia.
Has anyone here had vaser lipo? I've a few questions:
Are there any side effects I should be aware of?
How long timewise between consultation and treatment?
Do I need to have blood tests done before the treatment?
and also cost wise, I'm seeing nothing cheaper than 2500 in Ireland and the UK seem to have similar prices, where is the best place to go? There seems to be a few places in Dublin that do it, but the price seems to vary by about 1000 or more.

Thanks guys.

Vasor lipo wont get rid of gyno...it will get rid of the fat tho...but the breast tissue will still be there...best thing to do is go to your gp..they will ref you to a specialist and if you have a medical card it will be done free..... the breast tissue will have to be removed under the knife if you want to get rid of gyno....

LegacyUser

I'm fairly thin and think I have developed gyno over the past few years. Done a lot of research on the web about it so 90% sure I have it. I'm going to go to a gp to get officially diagnosed next week. Does anyone have any recommendations as to which gp in Dublin I could go to who would be knowledgeable in this area?

Do they try to give you any medication to help the problem or do they just refer you to a specialist?

Also once referred to the specialist I have read the only thing they can do for you is to refer you for liposuction surgery. Has anyone had liposuction done and were you happy with the results? Also what height and weight were you when you had it done? Since I'm thin and so wouldn't have a huge amount of fat on my chest so I am hoping I can expect good results from surgery.

And if you were happy with the surgery can you let me know where and what surgeon you had it done with?

Sorry for all the questions but I would be very grateful if someone could help me with these questions.

LegacyUser

I'm 14 and I have gynecomastia,it's embarrassing,and i lack self confidence,I never take off my shirt even in front of my family,I'm just wondering that since I have a hse medical card,how long would I have to wait on a waiting list?and would I have to pay in a private clinic example Dundrum clinic