If you are a man who is embarrassed by a little extra weight around the chest (medically known as gynecomastia; popularly as "man boobs"), then you're not alone. It is by no means uncommon for men to store excess fat in the chest region. Some studies suggest that as much as 40% of men experience some form of swelling in the breast area. Because of this, the cosmetic surgery known as a breast reduction is becoming ever more popular not only among women, but among men as well.
What Causes Gynecomastia in Men?
Different men have swelling around their chests for different reasons. Sometimes this swelling is classified as true gynecomastia, in which the actual breast glands within the chest swell. Generally, this is usually caused by an overabundance of female hormones within the body. Other times, the swelling is classified as pseudo-gynecomastia, which means that there is no actual enlargement of breast tissue, but merely an excess of fat. Both types are fairly common, and they make many men uncomfortable and embarrassed.
What Can I Do About My Gynecomastia?
True gynecomastia can often be treated by testosterone or other hormonal treatments, but pseudo-gynecomastia can be trickier. Obviously staying within your healthy weight range will help you keep these and other fat deposits at bay, but there are some unfortunate men for whom exercise and diet are not sufficient to completely do away with them. Where fat is stored on the body is mostly determined by genetics, and some men are genetically predisposed to store fat in the chest. For these men, surgery just might be the answer. Although most people automatically think of women in connection with any breast surgery--reduction or augmentation--breast reduction is becoming increasingly common in men, as more and more men are opting for surgical solutions to the embarrassing problem of “man boobs.”
What Are My Options For Breast Reduction?
There are a number of ways to reduce the size of the male breast. Some of these methods remove large sections of tissue and skin. Others are less invasive. One of the least traumatic methods of removing excess chest fat is liposuction. Although liposuction can't actually remove swollen glands (gynecomastia), it can be very effective at removing excess fat (pseudo-gynecomastia). Because it is less invasive than other procedures, liposuction can be easier to recover from.
How Does A Breast Reduction Work?
Breast reduction is a surgery. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia. In a traditional breast reduction--much like breast augmentation-- a surgeon makes a small incision around the breast area. Unlike in a breast augmentation, however, rather than adding an implant, the surgeon removes a certain percentage of the existing tissue and skin to create a smaller, flatter breast. Even with modern surgical techniques, this is fairly invasive surgery, so a prospective patient should leave plenty of time for recovery.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Liposuction is less invasive than a surgical breast reduction, which means it involves less pain, a shorter recovery time, and smaller and fewer scars. It will also probably tend to be cheaper. On the other hand, liposuction can only remove fat, so it wouldn't be very effective for a patient with true gynecomastia. Which of the two procedures is best for any individual person varies depending on the goals and physical characteristics of the patient.
I Heard That Liposuction Doesn't Work Well On Men. Is This True?
In the past, liposuction of the male breast has been difficult because the fatty tissue of the male breast tends to be very dense and fibrous. This has made it difficult to suction out. However, there have been a number of recently developed procedures that make it easier to remove even hard, toughened fat. Laser lipolysis uses surgical lasers to break down and liquefy fat before it is suctioned out. The low frequency sound waves used in Custom Acoustic Liposuction have proved effective in breaking up fibrous fat. However, a man should be prepared to see his liposuction costs significantly higher than for an equivalent surgery for a woman, because of the fibrous nature of his fat.
Would Liposuction Help Me With My Gynecomastia?
The best way to find out if liposuction can help improve the appearance of your chest (or anywhere else) is to consult with a surgeon in your area. A number of cosmetic surgeons offer free consultations to prospective clients. This can be an invaluable resource in deciding what sort of cosmetic surgery will be best for you.
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