Hormone treatment for man boobs?

I just read a fascinating article about using hormones to treat man boobs–you know, moobs, man-breasts, bumpers, headlamps, boy-knockers, mantits, wobblies, bazookas, moobies, chesticles, tipples, mannary glands, love lumps and, the ever-popular, “bitch tits.” Hopefully, that’s descriptive enough for you.

Apparently, they aren’t as rare as we might like to believe. Some of the studies I’ve reviewed claim that 60% of men either have them or get them (which is, I guess, the same thing). In 2005, The Sun newspaper printed an article called, “Moobies and Shakers” which outed  the then-Prime Minister Tony Blair who “showed off a rather unflattering set of man baps as he frolicked on holiday”. The article continues with a “tit parade” of top moobs, showing off photos of Simon Cowell, Danny DeVito, Peter Stringfellow and, inexplicably, Iggy Pop.

Surprisingly, not all men are dismayed by their moobs. Check out this site, called manboobs.co.uk, which is a sort of “we’re fat and we’re proud” site for guys with boobs.  Men with boobs around the world submit photos to the site and visitors select a “Man Boobs of the Month Champion.” The “Top 10″ page sets artfully-lit photos alongside more in-your-face mobile-phone pictures. They have even met up with a photographer who specializes in art and photo work for obese men, including those with big fannies, big boobies and well, I don’t know what else. You can see the “Among Gentlemen” site here.

Oh, and here’s a sample photo of the Man Boobs of the Month. Enlarge at your own peril.

ANYWAY, I read an article here that claims you can get rid of them through hormone balancing. Otherwise, I’ve read, naturally being in the business, that liposuction and surgery are also treatments for moobs.

I’ve asked our intrepid hormone-balancing maverick, Dr. Mitch Matez, to “weigh in” (pun intended) about hormone balancing for moobs. Let’s see in our next post what he has to say about this phenomenon.

More later from your Fat Lady (yes, eating Greek yogurt AGAIN today).

 

Fat Guys Get ED

Well, the word is out. According to an Australian study on 1000 men, 80% of fat guys have ED. That’s erectile dysfunction for you non-science types. The droopy dong, the puny prick, the shrinking shlong, the hopeless hose, the tremulous tube steak, the penurious purple-helmet-yogurt-slinger. It’s just no fun if ya can’t get it up.

Apparently, obesity decreases blood flow. Not just to your heart but to the penis, thereby causing ED. According to this study, obesity increased the impotence risk in men by 30%. It goes on to say that if you are an obese person with sexual dysfunction, you are a high risk candidate for heart disease.

Well, you’re likely to be a high risk candidate for going dateless as well.

I spent a weekend in Cancun with a fat guy once. OK, I won’t tell that story.

Anyway, diet going well. I don’t know if I am detoxed by now or not. I guess I’ll know next time I’m in Boca visiting with the Diet Nazi, Suzi, at Dr. Murray’s office. She’s truly lovely but I still smart at her chiding me about my innocent highly-spiced grilled chicken salad. I’m practically living on Fage and Oikos Greek yogurt by this time; I’ve come to love it. Almost like eating sour cream, it’s so smooth and delish (as Rachael Ray on the Food Channel would say in her hurried I’m-on-speed-voice). I confess that I eat it with unsweetened organic strawberry jam, just a tiny  spoonful in a bowl of yogurt to make it taste better than eating plain sour-cream-in-a-bowl (ewww).

 

Tips from Suzie Estridge: Water Weight!

Suzie Estridge is Dr. Murray Pozner’s nurse. I jokingly call her the Weight Nazi from the time she talked me out of a perfectly good (I THOUGHT) salad that was chicken and lettuce but, unfortunately, loaded with spices and salt! This lady knows her weight-loss business like nobody I know (except maybe Dr. Pozner!) so take a listen!

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Yes, isn’t it amazing how sodium intake can lock in water, causing bloat!  Initially, when patients join our weight-loss program, they drop a pound or more almost immediately, which is released from water retention. Anything more than that is a sign that you’ve actually started to change your eating habits (Yes, you turned down pizza…good going)! Leaving out the salt and substituting salt-free alternatives like spices and herbs can make a huge difference in getting rid of bloat! Your pants and skirts will fit better and you will feel better too!

Just remember, to lose weight, you must eat less.  Impulsive eating does not permit weight loss, and planning ahead, knowing in advance what you will eat at your next meal also helps you to eat less.  You should also be aware of not only choosing the correct foods to eat but the portions of those foods as well! You may benefit from keeping a food diary.  Keeping a written record of your eating habits, the quantities you eat, the time of day and where you are helps you note your vulnerabilities. FitDay is a great site and tracking your intake is free! Are you stress eating?  Are you eating from boredom?  Are you in social situations that are too tempting to stay within the guidelines of acceptable foods or the amounts of those foods? Are you taking time to exercise in order to kick start your metabolism? These things must be addressed in order to have success!

Eating well, and using good self control will become easier and easier as time goes on and will help you achieve a healthier lifestyle…

 

Gaining Weight on a Diet: Posting by Suzi, Dr. Murray’s RN

Suzie Estridge is the nurse at Dr. Murray Pozner’s office in Boca Raton. Dr. Murray is the diet doctor, the genius behind men and women losing 20, 40 and 80 lbs or more through his help. I think you’ll enjoy the next two posts from Suzie!

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If you want to gain weight then you should go on a diet. That’s right, you heard me correctly.  One of the most frequent complaints I’ve heard from patients since I’ve worked with Dr. Murray Pozner is that they go on fad diets and yes, they do lose weight, but as soon as they stop the diet the weight comes right back on!  Going on a diet means that at some point you will go off the diet and will usually see a rapid weight gain.  So your next question to me should be “then what works to keep the weight off?” and my reply is “Changing Behavior!”

You have to change your weight-gaining habits to weight-losing habits. Sounds simple huh!  It isn’t unless you were one of the few people who were born with excellent inherited genes.  If you have already made the decision to lose weight, Dr. Murray Pozner will teach you how to achieve your desired weight AND live a healthier lifestyle and maintain your desired weight.  It will require a conscious effort on your part, but IT CAN BE DONE!

 

Does Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) cause cancer? Dr. Matez Weighs In

The world of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was turned upside down with the release of the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) study back in 2002, which showed that traditional (synthetic) HRT increased a women’s risk of breast or gynecological cancers. This has led many in the medical profession to extrapolate that “Estrogen” causes cancers. But does it? All of the patients in this study and others like it were given synthetic hormones such as Equillin (an estrogen native to horses and the primary ingredient in Premarin) and Ethinyl Estradiol (a chemically altered form of human estrogen). In addition to increased cancer risk these synthetic hormones have now been linked to increased risks of blood clotting and heart disease. Research on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has shown no increased risk of blood clotting (if not taken orally), heart disease, or cancers and a very strong protective effect against osteoporosis. A bioidentical estrogen is one that is molecule for molecule identical to the body’s native estrogen.

There are three major estrogens in the human body:

• Estrone (E1),
• Estradiol (E2), and
• Estriol (E3).

When women are young and healthy they typically have higher levels of E2 (considered to be a relatively safe estrogen) than E1 (considered to be a riskier estrogen). As a woman ages, and specifically at menopause, E1 levels rise as E2 levels fall. It is likely this imbalance of the hormone levels that predisposes aging population to certain cancers. Estradiol levels are at their highest and estrogen’s in general are better balanced when women are in their twenties, a time in which the risk for disease processes is very low. E2 levels begin to fall relative to E1 levels, typically in the 40’s or 50’s which is also when we begin to see increased risk of many disease processes, especially breast and gynecological cancers. As estrogen levels fall even further, the signs and symptoms of Menopause (hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, decreased sex drive, osteoporosis, weight gain, etc.) appear. Prior to 2002 this set of complaints at your doctor’s office would likely have generated a prescription for Premarin, Prempro, or other synthetic hormones which may control symptoms, but at significant price (increased risk of heart disease, cancer, etc.)

Fortunately there is a safer and very effective alternative “natural” or “bioidentical” estrogen. Bioidentical estrogen replacement has a superb track record in terms of symptom relief and prevention. Menopausal symptoms can be eliminated without the increased risks of blood clotting or heart disease. Reversal of bone loss can be accomplished at a rate 2-3 times greater than with the use of Fosomax. It can be replaced by rubbing crème or gel into the skin daily, taking pills (not recommended), or the most effective method: implanting tiny hormone pellets under the skin, which last from 3-6 months. As with all hormone replacement, you should only do so under the care of a direction of a licensed and trained physician after appropriate evaluation and diagnostic testing.

 

THIS JUST IN: Study may lead to new obesity therapies

U.S. scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism that controls the body’s fat-building process. (and I just thought it was the cheeseburgers that were keeping me fat!!! IT’S MY GENES!!!!)

According to the study information, University of Central Florida researchers found a gene called MCPIP controls the development of fat cells. Until now, the scientists said a different protein has been universally accepted as the master controller of fat cell formation. The study’s details are available on the Journal of Biological Chemistry website.

“Our research has shown that MCPIP is a regulator of fat cell formation and blood vessel formation that feeds the growing fat tissue,” Kolattukudy said. “Therefore, a drug that can shut down its function can prevent obesity and the major inflammatory diseases resulting from obesity, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.”

 

Amazing rant about Alli

So you think you wanna take Alli to lose weight? If so, read this blog. You will partly die laughing but the rest of you will be glad you hadn’t tried Alli yet and if you did, you might wanna stop taking it! The word is, it causes liver damage. So, if pooping your pants everytime you eat too much fat isn’t enough of a problem for you, then surely liver damage will make you rethink the best way to take off the pounds. I have to say, the blog post, by Suzanne Reisman was so funny I almost fell down, but funny in a sad way. What we won’t do to ourselves to lose weight.

The details are here in the Washington Post. Some moron from the FDA says, “”Consumers should consult their health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms,” the agency said on its Web site. Signs of liver damage include fatigue, fever, nausea and vomiting.” Yeah, let’s wait til we have SYMPTOMS to stop taking this shit. You gotta love the protective geniuses at the FDA, we know they’re all doing such a great job at protecting the American public. Let’s wait til our liver FAILS before we get a clue about Alli. Yeah. I have a box in the cabinet in the kitchen. Never took it. Somehow the idea of feces streaming down my legs, possibly in public, was worse than the idea of remaining FAT.

Things are going well with Dr. Murray’s diet plan. Apparently it’s a detox plan–who knew ? I just thought I was starving, little did I know I was detoxing. I found out when I was at SMAC a few weeks ago and Suzie saw me eating what I took to be just the perfect fat girl lunch: grilled chicken on lettuce salad, masquerading as a lunch. Jeez. She said all the spices were bad for me, they would make my appetite soar. HAHA My appetite soars just because I am BREATHING–is she KIDDING ME? So I threw the salad out and pouted and told everybody all day that she took my salad away. Weight Nazi. But she’s a well-meaning weight nazi, so I forgive her.

Here are some fun photos from SMAC.

Dr. Matez

Entrance to SMAC

Diet Nazi, Suzi and CindyAnn

 

August 18, 2009: Dr. Matez’ post

Anne came for her 1^st follow up today since having testosterone and estrogen pellets inserted on July 14th. She is clearly feeling better but we still have work to do. I reviewed her latest blood work, which was drawn 3.5 weeks after we inserted the initial pellets. Her FSH level (the blood level that determines menopause) has dropped from 65 to 31. The goal is below 20.  Her Testosterone level “peaked” at 105 from 0! Clearly the pellets are working, and clearly she needs more! Today we “reinserted” a few pellets to give her a “boost”. Her partial symptom control and partial response in the blood work correlated well.

Now we will again watch her response. The pellets will last about 4-6 months and the effects are variable by individual. The first time, especially in a situation like this where the body is clearly starving for hormones, they will likely wear out in about 3-4 months.

You can now check out the insertion of Anne’s pellets on You Tube!

 

Still fat

OK, I’m at SMAC today in Boca. Weight is 189.6. keee-ryste. That’s o nly 2 lb since I was there in June which is a POUND A MONTH. Truly awful. But at least I didn’t gain any weight. Uh yeah, that’s small compensation esp when Kim said her husband had already lost 15 lb in the first month or so on this. Der, he must be following the directions…Suzy, Dr. Murray’s nurse, had a strong talk with me about portion control (ie, salad is good but not 2 lbs a day) and eating ice chips when hungry. And MOVING instead of sitting on my arse ALL DAY. Get up every 90 minutes and move just for a few minutes, jog in place, walk, get on the Bellicon, etc.

I must get more serious about this. Keep a daily food log. Do 20 min on the Bellicon everyday instead of 4 minutes before bed every other day (yeah that would be my habit).

Gotta get to Whole Foods and pick up some salad and greek yogurt for lunch. It’s back to the 0 fat one (instead of the 23 grams of fat in the one I have been eating!)

Suzy and I set a goal to be 8 lb thinner by Sept 17th.

 

You just KNOW you wanna see my Video!

OK, go here and see the video of Dr. Matez putting the pellets in my heinie. Sooooooo embarrassing!!! But I have to say, well worth it!

Going today for blood draw to see just how improved my numbers are.

Will update ya when I know!

@

 

Response to MSNBC BioIdentical Hormone Article by Dr. Matez!

Where do I start? The factual inaccuracies? The obvious bias?

Let’s start with Suzanne Somers. Suzanne’s breast cancer developed and was treated PRIOR to her using hormone therapy. She has been on therapy for over a decade (including ESTROGEN) and has had no signs of recurrent disease. She believes (and my experience would agree) that keeping her hormones well balanced will help prevent recurrence.

The author accurately reported (I assume) that Ms. Foley was likely to stay on her hormones FOREVER! But failed to ask her WHY!! Was it because she felt GREAT? Was it because she was full of energy, libido, strength, endurance? Was it because she slept soundly through the night? Was it her awesome hair, skin and nails? Or is it that WE are all dupes taking hormones every day and spending all kinds of money to receive NO benefit at all??

I am a well trained physician. I have 15 years training and experience as a Surgeon. I spent significant time, effort, and money educating myself on the modalities that I currently employ. I resent Ms. Brott’s implication that anti aging physicians are all just “hanging out a shingle” and treating people with abandon. Just like in Medicine, there are those of integrity in Journalism and those who are not. I leave it to you to decide if this biased article has integrity.

Dr. Mitchell Matez

 

Day 20: See MSNBC Site for Misinformation!

Big Pharma: you gotta love these guys! Every once in awhile someone will come out with a big slam against bioidentical hormones, lopping it together with HGH (human growth hormone) and act as if they are all the same. Thus is the case with today’s web-based, multi-page diatribe against both bioidentical hormone replacement and HGH injections on the MSNBC website. Read it for yourself. It’s SO one-sided that it makes one wonder who paid the writer to write it? The pharma companies? No, surely you jest!

I have done my own research and, though not a physician, I can tell you that the web, as always, is full of scams about HGH and bioidentical hormones. It’s Caveat Emptor. BUT, having said that, there are plenty of reasons that Big Pharma doesn’t want people feeling and “being” younger than their age! Think of the lowered purchasing levels of Viagra, Blood pressure pills, diabetes medications and the like if everybody’s hormones were more in line with their 30′s instead of their current ages? Think of the fewer depression meds that would be sold. Think of the increased “life” in peoples’ years if they didn’t feel like crap all the time, weren’t depressed because their testosterone was in the toilet, slept like babies and enjoyed the other effects of bioidentical hormones.

I am not naive. Big Pharma runs this country. They have only one goal in mind and it’s NOT to cure you of anything. It’s to treat and treat and treat with as many pills as possible, taken as many times a day as possible.

Well, I for one, am off their wagon. I wholeheartedly believe that an awful lot of age-induced illnesses and conditions can be either eliminated or greatly diminished with the correct levels of hormones, proper nutrition and exercise. I’m all for it.

 

Day 19: Amazed that I feel this good!

OK, it’s Day 19 since I had the testosterone and estrogen catapulted into my right hip. No, it didn’t hurt. Yes, I was surprised. Now I’m going to get blood work to see, at 3 wks, what the levels are now.

So far, I have had the following improvements:

• Sleep like a baby (this hasn’t been the case for 10 years!!)
• More energy!
• OK, I have to admit the testosterone makes me…searching for a delicate word..is there a delicate word for horny? No, that’s the only word I can come up with. OK, I feel somewhat more interested in that thing that people do under the covers. Now I just need to find someone to do that with. haha

Anyway, I suspect over time I will notice even more wonderful results. I have not had any side effects like zits or excessive chin hair (had some of THAT already anyway..argh).

Stay tuned!!
@

 

Resveratrol?

Saw a post on MakeMeHeal about Rezmelts, some version of resveratrol. Will talk to Dr Matez and find out whether resveratrol makes any difference or if it’s just another vitamin. The link to Rezmelts was here: http://ezinearticles.com/?REZMelts-Review—Is-it-an-Effective-Resveratrol-Tablet?&id=2252962

 

Day 4 on the hormones & feelin’ good!

I cannot believe I feel this much better in such a short time. For the first time in 10 years I have been sleeping through the night, 3 nights in a row now. Unbelievable! I used to run the TV all night long in the bedroom because I thought it might keep my brain from thinking too much and help me sleep, but with or without the TV I still woke up 3-4 times every night–not to get up to use the bathroom or get a drink of water, I just woke up for no reason. Sleeping through the night is an amazing luxury! I’m even dreaming! I haven’t had a dream (at least one I was aware of) for ages–funny, I dreamt last night about a Hassidic wedding which is hilarious since I’m Jewish but unobservant. Dunno who was getting married, it wasn’t me! 

I do notice already that I have increased energy too and my intense cravings for junk are lessened. About 8 every night I generally feel starving, but I noticed yesterday that the cravings have been less, and even throughout the day when I feel hungry I haven’t been unduly attracted to cookies or bread (my favorite thing), which is unusual for me. In other words, my willpower seems better. If that’s a side-effect of the hormones, I’m thrilled. 

I confess I look at my face in a magnifying mirror every single day to see if I’m getting any weird male-type hair growing on my chin, but nothing yet. No acne yet. Maybe this takes time or I won’t get either of those side effects, I don’t know. I have to say, however, that even if I do get chin hairs or acne, treating those would be preferable to never sleeping through the night and dragging myself through each day. 

For anybody considering bioidentical hormones, I say, go for it. So far so good!

 

Tuesday, July 14, 2009: Got the pellets!

OK, I was a nervous wreck waiting for Dr. Matez to insert the bio-identical hormone pellets (not pebbles haha) in my derriere. I knew he was going to use Novacaine first to numb the area and I was thinking, OW this is gonna hurt, visualizing a 6″ needle piercing my rumpus, spreading its stinging venom throughout my tender heinie. I was ALOT more nervous about the Novacaine than the pellets!

NOT SO, as it turns out. I am amazed to admit, it didn’t hurt at all. How is this possible? I’m still asking myself that question. EITHER Dr. Matez is a master injector and/or I have a back porch that’s a “dead end” and I just didn’t feel it. I felt a small puncture, about the same feeling as a Botox injection. Then a slight sting but nothing like the time I had stitches in my lip and certainly nothing close to the feeling of Novacaine being shot into my gum or cheek for a dental filling, and not “like a bee sting” which Dr. Matez said it would feel like. So, I admit I’m amazed. Not only that, but it didn’t hurt afterwards either. It’s Day 2  now and I have had no sensation of discomfort at all. Dr. Matez told me that some of his patients break out into a cold sweat anticipating this whole procedure, but I have to say, Have no fear, it’s nothing. And keep in mind that I am a Chicken when it comes to needles. ewwwww. But this was easy. I have no qualms about doing this again in 3-4 months.

The injection and the insertion of the pellets is actually closer to the hip area, not on the buttocks. IE, your butt cheek but up toward your shoulder a little and slightly outward. I was relieved I didn’t have to show my entire rear,  since this was video’d by Kim, Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center’s Marketing Manager.

Secondly, Dr. Matez explains every single thing as he does it. That’s reassuring, I must say. AND he kept asking me if I were ok, which I was. The entire process took less than 3 minutes including the local anesthetic, the small incision, inserting the pellets and putting on the steri-strip. Easy as pie.

So, do I feel different? I swear I do! I know it’s probably impossible, but I could swear that I feel more energetic today AND more cheerful, which is odd since I had only 5 hours of sleep last night. Not only that, but at my voice lesson today, I remembered 90% of the words to an aria which, one week ago, I had to sing standing behind my coach because I kept forgetting the words. Yes, maybe it’s psychological but it’s hard to imagine my memory is better from just “thinking” I should feel better.

All told, he inserted testosterone and estrogen pellets. The progesterone is taken by mouth at night, as well as DHEA and Pregnenalone. Apparently the progesterone is too big to put into a pellet—unless ya want a big lump in your hip, haha. I go back in 3 weeks to have a blood draw to see if the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels are up.

 

Dr Matez places Anne’s hormone pellets today!

Today we started on Anne’s journey to wellness. Our goal is to REVERSE her menopause placing her hormonally back to a level and balance that she had in her Twenties when she had none of the symptoms and easy weight management abilities.

We are going to accomplish this goal using implantable subcutaneous “pellets” comprised of pure human identical hormone (estradiol and testosterone). The pellets were placed in her upper buttock/hip area in a quick painless procedure. Although Anne was very apprehensive (Actually a nervous wreck) she finished with a “that was it???”.

Anne will take Progesterone and DHEA/Pregnenelone by mouth once daily.

Next step – repeat blood work and re-evaluation in 3-4 weeks. We will make adjustments to her therapy if neccessary.

 

Monday, July 13, 2009

Well, I’m flying to Boca tonight to see Dr. Matez and Dr. Murray about anti-aging and weight loss, respectively. Long chat last week with Dr. Matez–apparently my blood work shows NADA for hormones, so replacing ANY would help me: sleep better, be more cheerful, have more energy, etc. Can’t wait.

We decided, with the 3 options for bioidentical hormone replacement, to take the pellets instead of pills or creams, which I may forget to take and which create highs followed by lows. Apparently the pellets, which are–WHAT?? INJECTED INTO MY REAR?–are a better option because it’s a more even drip, drip, drip of good hormones.  Yeah, apparently that’s the dealio. They inject Lidocaine (OUCH!) into my hip, then make a small incision about the size of the Panama Canal and then inject these little pellets that have progesterone, estrogen and testosterone into the space. Apparently this is done quarterly. We’re hoping to get this filmed on local TV (not my ENTIRE rear, which would take up more than the camera would allow, just the spot, hehe).  Dr. Matez says I will feel better soon. Can’t wait, I cannot get much crabbier than I am now…

 

Day 20: Monday, July 6, 2009

Hope all had a great holiday weekend. WOW, so nice to relax. Tried not to eat like a pig, haha. Talked to Dr. Matez last Thursday. He said balancing my hormones would be easy inasmuch as the lab work shows I have almost -0- hormone levels anyway. Can’t wait to get started on this. Wrote up a big ole document with past medical history, etc etc so we can get moving. Phone appointment tomorrow with him. Hope we can get started yet this week.

Stay tuned!

 

Day 12: 6/28/09 #3

Apparently Sundays are good days for research! This is interesting. I haven’t slept all night ONCE since I had surgical menopause. NOT ONE TIME. Not once. No wonder I am irritable. I can’t figure out if I am fatigued because I cannot sleep or I cannot sleep because my hormones are low or both. And I’m taking Effexor for depression. My depression isn’t just feeling sad, it’s feeling completely disinterested. Running a business and still raising teens means I cannot feel completely disinterested. EVER.

Also from http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Menopause.html

Are there other Hormones that a Woman Needs?  
Other bioidentical hormones that should be a part of an optimal menopausal hormone restoration program are testosterone and DHEA. These usually decline with age and are essential for overall health and particularly for mood, muscle strength, and sexual desire and
response. In women with fatigue, fibromyalgia, or depression, there is often a need to optimize thyroid and/or cortisol levels as well. The female hormonal system produces lower cortisol levels and effects in many women, causing aches and pains, fatigue, insomnia, hypoglycemia, PMS, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and other problems. Many women cannot even tolerate estradiol and progesterone replacement after menopause without cortisol supplementation because these hormones antagonize cortisol’s effects. Hormone restoration requires balance among all the significant hormones. 

I can hardly wait to get balanced!