Breast Surgery for Gynecomastia (aka "manboobs")

[jfoesq]

Has anyone had breast reduction surgery or have information on the topic for those of us with gynecomastia (aka "manboobs") as a result of ADT. Info regarding the "success", recovery period....are all welcome.

I have had gynecomastia shortly after my ADT began 10 years ago and am pretty unhappy about it. I no longer take my shirt off in public because of it and am considering getting the surgery.

Thanks,

[Tall_Allen]

10mg tamoxifen (available as a transdermal) will prevent it and 20/mg can reverse it if it isn't well-established. For small amounts, cortisone injectections can dissolve it. Once connective tissue has formed, surgery is the best way to get rid of it.

[jfoesq in reply to Tall_Allen]

Allen- I assume since I have had the problem for 10 years, that connective tissue must have formed and that surgery is my only option?

[Tall_Allen in reply to jfoesq]

Probably so. Ask your dermatologist if surgery is a permanent solution.

[jfoesq in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thx, Allen

[cesces in reply to Tall_Allen]

Is tamoxifen the same as vivelle, with the same effects or are they different?

[Tall_Allen in reply to cesces]

No.

[mrscruffy]

Not sure how bad yours is but I control mine with chest exercises, as soon as it started I focused on chest work. If you need surgery start working out as soon after

[jfoesq in reply to mrscruffy]

Thx, Scruffy

[tarhoosier]

I had the surgery. in 2013. It was paid by Medicare as my Medical Oncologist had noted gynecomastia as a diagnosis code for several years prior on my medical record. This is no guarantee of payment for anyone else. This was ten years ago. It was about 4500-5000$ otherwise at that time. It was a rather simple procedure, hospital based, by a cosmetic surgeon. Since then other treatments have caused the return but without the original removal it would be much greater now I believe. I use compression underwear in summer for certain garments for appearance sake. I am glad I had the procedure as the next few years were without recurrence until I started Xtandi monotherapy. I am 75 now and some issues which were significant to me then are less so now. I might have it again and I knew at that time it was something that could be repeated.Post surgery it is necessary to wear special compression devices 24/7 to diminish the pooling of blood and fluid in the cavity created by the surgery. Several weeks as I recall and that was the most uncomfortable part of the experience.