With a lot of men getting the flak for having “man boobs” these days, more and more men are getting male breast reduction surgery.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), men’s breast reduction surgeries increased by 36% from 2010 to 2016, all because of a condition known as gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is a medical condition where men have swollen breast tissues, resulting in the appearance of abnormally large breasts. It affects as much as 60% of men all over the world.
And while true gynecomastia can’t be solved merely by losing weight, there’s a cosmetic procedure that can restore a man’s normal breast size: male breast reduction surgery.
What is male breast reduction?
Also known as male gynecomastia surgery, breast reduction for men is a cosmetic treatment that aims to reduce men’s breast sizes through the removal of fat, gland tissue, and skin on the chest area. It results in a flatter, firmer, and more masculine-contoured chest.
To do this male gynecomastia treatment, plastic surgeons would either do liposuction on the chest area to trim out excess fat or do a tissue excision to cut out excess glandular tissue. Some opt for a combination of these two techniques to achieve the results that they want.
Gynecomastia surgery lasts for an average of two hours and is usually done on an outpatient basis.
Should you get men’s breast reduction surgery?
If you’re a man who’s feeling self-conscious about your large male breasts, or you are avoiding certain activities because of fear of showing your chest, then you should consider getting breast reduction surgery.
Studies have linked male breast enlargement with low self-esteem and poor social functioning. These can eventually lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Thus, getting male breast reduction can potentially be life-saving if you are suffering from these mental and emotional issues.
But before signing up for surgery, you should attempt to lose weight first through a physician-assisted weight loss program. You are a good candidate for men’s breast reduction if your breast size doesn’t decrease with diet and exercise.
You should also be in overall good health, with skin elastic enough to adjust to breast reduction. Men who drink a lot of alcohol or smoke marijuana should stop doing so first, as these substances have been linked to breast overdevelopment.
How much does a male breast reduction surgery cost?
ASPS data shows that the average cost of men’s breast reduction cost in the United States is $3,525 as of 2016. However, the total cost can vary widely from $3,000 to $6,500, depending on other fees such as anesthesia, operating room facilities, medical exams, surgical garments, prescriptions, and other miscellaneous costs.
In most cases, gynecomastia surgery is not eligible for medical insurance coverage. But many plastic surgeons offer flexible financing options to make male gynecomastia treatment easier on the pocket.
If you’re thinking of getting rid of your large male breasts, Schedule a Free Consultation with one of our experienced and double board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more about male gynecomastia surgery. We’ll answer any questions that you may have.