According to a study published by The American Board of Plastic Surgeons male breast reduction surgery, or gynecomastia surgery, now accounts for 40% of all breast reduction surgeries done. Which means that if you are a male who has breast enlargement, you are certainly not alone when considering surgery. So, what exactly is gynecomastia and is surgery necessary? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Gynecomastia?
“You have man boobs!” isn’t necessarily something you want to hear coming from the mouth of your blunt toddler, but if it’s true, then you may have a condition called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition that causes swelling in the breast tissue due to either estrogen or testosterone changes. Primarily affecting boys in puberty or men who are in their 50’s and 60’s, gynecomastia is more prevalent than you may think.
Is Surgery Necessary?
With the stigma surrounding male plastic surgery starting to decrease, more men are becoming accepting of the idea of undergoing gynecomastia surgery. And although surgery isn’t necessary when treating gynecomastia, it can help increase your self-esteem. Even though gynecomastia can go away as your hormone levels balance out, if you are self-conscious about your appearance and it weighs heavily on your self-esteem, then it may not be worth waiting for it to go away.
What Is Surgery Like?
During surgery, excess breast tissue and skin will be removed to give you back a flatter, more masculine looking chest. Although results will be immediate, many patients suffer from post-op swelling which may not allow you to see the full results right away.
If you suffer from gynecomastia, it can feel a bit embarrassing and isolate, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of our surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester, we can work to give you back your appearance and your self-esteem. To learn more about gynecomastia surgery or to schedule a consultation, contact our Rochester office today at (585) 922-5840.
