Gynecomastia on Young Patient: Procedure of the Month
Posted January 26, 2022
Current Patient, Young Adult Perspective: Gynecomastia
Hello, I am a recent patient of Dr. Antimarino’s, specifically one-month post-op, and this is my story! According to Oxford Languages, Surgery is defined as “… deformities by the physical removal, repair, or readjustment of organs and tissues, often involving cutting into the body”. I cringe at the definition given because I feel it is ignorant of surgery’s actual life-altering results and themes. Surgery for me was a bittersweet experience (I rather say “experience” than “moment” because it was a PROCESS) because of its intense and unforgiving lesson(s)!
As I ponder on the journey that I am still walking through, resilience and persistence seem to slip through the cracks, rise to the top, and reveal themselves once again as the important yet common themes. I still remember to this day, the 45-minute-long car ride filled with smiles and laughter ignorant of the real situation barreling toward me, the piercing cold infiltrating my skin as I laid in pre-op, and finally the feeling of the gentle rubber mask that had such power over my body to slip me into a deep sleep. However, the actual cutting of my skin and tissue removal was the expected burden. Still, the actual journey was what lay ahead – the weeks following consisted of uncomfortable sleep, waves of pain, and limited activity. People do not quit during the height and intensity of “war” but rather the eerie silence of the quiet night. However, if you stay resilient of your current situation, surgery or not, and apply small goals to the road ahead, recovery WILL become that of the past!
The process seemed unending, but I realize it has been almost one month as I write this. As I study my reflection in the mirror, I can see the results and find myself smiling. Was it worth it? Would I do it again? I would have to say I most definitely would.
