37 Year Old Athletic Male, 5'10" & 165 ponds Saskatchewan, Canada

I had surgery 10 weeks ago and have had no pain or discomfort for at least three weeks. I had wore compression shirts and the gynocamastomy vest 24/7 (except for showers) from surgery up until a few weeks ago when I had a video conference with Dr. Tholen. At that time he advised me that it was no longer required and said I could start doing some light workouts.

I am feeling really disappointed with how I look right now but am hoping that it is just swelling and some skin that needs to tighten up. There is a big difference from my left chest to right chest but there were also different amounts of tissue removed as my left chest was more flabby. This difference is more evident when I flex my pec muscles. I included a picture of me flexing to show what I mean.

I know that it takes anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to see final results but as I approach the three month mark I would think the changes lessen substantially the more time passes.

I have been feeling a little down and have been thinking that it is just to good to be true that I could rid myself of this condition that has tormented me for at least 22 years.

Trying to be optimistic!!

The first day after my surgery I had about 25 ml of fluid collected and then next to less than 5 for next couple days. By noon on day 4 I had about 10 - 15 ml only on one side.

I was concerned and called the office and they said it wasn't anything unusual but make sure I keep my activity level low and to not lift anything over 5 pounds. I asked about taking off my compression vest to sponge bath as I did the day before and was told that it shouldn't be removed at all until the drains come out and then to contine for a full two weeks not taking it off. She said having it off the day prior won't affect results but better to be on the safe side and the drain are to be removed after the discharge is under 20 ml/day for a three day period and wanted it longer because its not unusual for discharge to go up and down. I definitely agree with this as I odviously am after the best possible results.

Day 4 (noon) to day 6 I had a total 10 ml

Day 6 to day 9 - I had no measurable amount of discharge.

So the evening of day 9 I figured it was okay to remove the drain as there was no more drainage and they were really uncomfortable.. Dr. Tholen had told me the day after surgery to wait approximately ten days, which is longer than they usually stay in, because I wasn't able to come back to his office to have this done (I live 925 miles from his office) and that he wanted to make sure it was draining less than 20 ml per day for three days. I believe Dr. Tholen is a perfectionist, which Is one of the reasons I chose him to perform this procedure, and would rather I came back but agreed I could get it done locally.

One side hurt more than the other coming out and it felt like it was tearing or pulling from the track it was in under my skin. I felt my chest after and could feel a depression where the drain was and the area above it was a hard mass than ran from the middle of my chest along under my nipple to the outer edge of my chest towards the insertion point of the drain. The other side felt a little puffy but there was no mass area easily detectable. I was concerned and called Dr. Tholen's after hour call centre and he called me back in less than 5 mins. How great is that!! He assured me that it's too early for scar tissue and that it could be a tract of blood or something like that and asked about how much discharge was coming from drains. I told him it was next to nothing and I asked if they could have been in too long, but he said no. He explained that it is extremely important at this time to have lots of compression and that it would smooth out the area of concern and again produce better results.

It is now the next day and the hard area has disappeared. I felt under the foam pads that I still have under the compression vest. I was sure to be gentle as I also don't want any additional trauma in that area.

I have had no bruising and the incision around the areola looks great and I still have sensation in my nipples. I am going to keep wearing the compression vest with the foam pads under a 100% of the time until I talk to his office and they say I can take it off to shower.

I am usually not a worrier but this has affected my life for so long that I am somewhat paranoid that having a firm, flat, nice looking chest is something that can never be a reality for me. I am very happy with Dr. Tholen and am praying all turns out great.

Thank you Dr. Tholen.

It's has now been three days since my surgery. There isn't a lot of pain but rather just an uncomfortable feeling. I removed the compression garments for the first time in order to get cleaned up. I was also really curious about how everything looked under all the padding. I got my wife to take some quick pictures of the results thus far. There is lots swelling and as you can see the drains are still in.

I think the end results are going to be great as it already looks pretty decent for just three days after. I am getting excited about hitting the gym and finally being able to get that chiseled chest I spent years trying to achieve. I am very happy thus far and look forward to end result. I will actually be able to throw just a plain white t shirt on, a tighter sweater, fitted shirt or just go swimming with my kids and not feel really uncomfortable. I used to be a life guard and remember during training taking off my guard shirt and jumping into water as fast as I could and keeping just my head above water to hide my body and then once done our drills waiting for everyone to look else where to get out and put shirt on as fast as possible.

So, if it continues to heal how I am thinking it will, my only regret will be not getting it done 20 years ago.