Known by professionals as gynecomastia, the topic of male breast reduction is often thought of as too-taboo to discuss in public. Nonetheless, the condition is actually quite common, with 40 to 60 percent of males in the United States suffering from overly-enlarged breasts at some point in their lives. For many-especially adolescents-the condition may disappear after a matter or weeks or months. For others experiencing enlarged breasts, however, it may be medically necessary to undergo a male breast reduction.

While the most common cause of enlarged breasts in men is obesity, the affliction can also come about for a number of other reasons, including puberty, steroid abuse, genetic disorders, tumors, chronic liver disease, aging, and as a side effect of many prescription medications. Before someone suffering from enlarged breasts decides to go under the knife for a breast reduction, he should check with his doctor to ensure that his issues aren’t being caused by an outside factor, such as weight loss or switching medications.

What is male breast reduction?

Male breast reduction is a surgery performed by plastic surgeons to remove the fat and glandular tissue that create the illusion of large breasts in some men. Although the procedure most commonly involves a surgeon cutting into the skin with a singular incision to remove excess tissue, fat, and skin, it should be noted that the particulars of the procedure vary greatly based on each patient’s personal preferences, along with the cause of his problem.

For the majority of patients suffering from an excess in tissue, a male breast reduction surgery consists of a qualified surgeon making an incision around the areola or in the under arm area and cutting out excess glandular tissue. For an increasing number of patients, male breast reduction may be combined with liposuction, as well.

Although most patients will experience little to no scarring, those undergoing more major operations to remove excess fatty tissue are likely to need larger incisions that may take longer to heel.

Who are the best candidates for male breast reduction?

Men of any age can be considered for male breast reduction surgery, so long as they are both mentally and physically healthy and in good condition to undergo a major surgery. Many surgeons report that candidates with firm, elastic skin can expect to see the best results from gynecomastia, since their skin will likely be better able to reshape itself once the procedure has been performed.

Most importantly, men who are considering undergoing the surgery should be sure they have considered all other options-such as a change in diet, lifestyle, or prescription drug medications-as well undergone a full medical diagnosis to ensure the breasts did not enlarge due to a condition that needs to be treated separately. Patients who smoke, drink, or use steroids may be asked to stay away from the stimulants for a period of time before surgery as well, since it is possible that the substances are what is causing the enlarged breast to begin with.

What are the benefits of male breast reduction?

For most patients, male breast reduction surgery is a permanent solution to a problem that may have been plaguing them for years. After just a few weeks of recovery, patients can expect to have a firmer, flatter, and contoured chest with little to no scarring. Most importantly, however, patients who have undergone a male breast reduction commonly report a high boost in self-confidence that can be sensed by those around them, whether their shirt is on or off.

What are the risks involved?

As with all major surgeries, patients undergoing gynecomastia should be prepared for a number of possible complications or risks, including unfavorable scarring, excess bleeding, blood clots, infection, skin discoloration, changes in nipple or breast sensation, and-if liposuction was used-the chance of uneven contours, rippling, or loose skin around the breast area. Smokers should be prepared to quit smoking at least one to two weeks before the surgery, since smoking can decrease circulation throughout the body and slow the amount of time it takes a patient to heal, thus upping the risk for infection.

For best results, patients should follow their surgeon’s instructions to a tee, and take the necessary time off of work during the healing process. If any abnormalities should arise, patients should seek medical help immediately.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.

There is a common misconception that cosmetic surgery is primarily for women. The avoidance of cosmetic surgery by men may be due to deeply ingrained notions of manliness and the stereotypical portrayal of cosmetic surgeries. Studies show, however, that more men are electing cosmetic surgery to correct various appearance related complaints. Many of the false notions men have may stem from a lack of information on what conditions are treatable with cosmetic surgery.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 1.2 million men who had cosmetic surgery procedures in 2005. That figure indicates a 44% increase in male surgeries since 2000. The most common procedure is rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose reshaping; 99,680 men elected to have this procedure in 2005. Due to the high incidence of broken noses in men and the attending medical problems that can come from disrupted nasal passages, this procedure seems to be more socially acceptable.

Liposuction is also gaining popularity among males. The most common areas of liposuction for men are in the abdominal region and the flanks. According to the ASPS study, 35,673 men had liposuction procedures in 2005. Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss. It is typically performed in areas that may require sculpting to obtain a more desirable appearance. The average amount of fat that is removed is less than ten pounds.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can be a functional or cosmetic procedure that reshapes the upper or lower eyelid. The ASPS study indicates that 32,988 men had blepharoplasty procedures performed in 2005. Asian blepharoplasty is a common procedure performed on Asian men to give the appearance of a double eyelid, which gives the man a western look.

Male breast enhancement treats gynecomastia, which means “woman like breasts.” It is a fairly common and often embarrassing condition with which many men struggle. There are several contributing factors to this condition, including:

· Impaired liver function

· Medications that contain estrogen

· Use of anabolic steroids

· And many other ailments and conditions

According to the study, 16,275 men elected this surgery in 2005. When diet and exercise fail to reduce male breast size, it often becomes desirable to correct the problem with cosmetic surgery.

Not all procedures available involve major surgery; men are also opting for minimally invasive procedures. The top five such procedures are:

· Botox

· Microderm abrasion

· Laser hair removal

· Chemical peel

· Laser skin resurfacing

As technology and medical advances continue, more cosmetic procedures will be safely performed on men and women in increasing numbers. As the social stigmas associated with enhancing looks through surgery abate, more men will likely turn to cosmetic surgeons to improve their appearance.

Hans K. June 9, 2009

Females are not the only vain creatures these days – more and more men are resorting to plastic surgery in a proposal to improve their looks, albeit through artificial and painful means. But while some men are choosing to go under the knife for purely personal or aesthetic reasons, others are taking the leap because they believe it will improve their career professionally – and make them a more powerful – or at least more attractive – force to be reckoned with.

The unfortunate fact is, men desire the similar things that women want: to look younger, fitter and thinner, with regular, even features and a healthy glow. They are starting to recognize that in today’s aggressive market, looking tired and haggard with droopy eyelids, dark circles and a weak chin just will not cut it. And if they have huge boobs and a fat belly to boot – well, forget about becoming a vice president in the firm, let alone the CEO.

It is estimated that the grooming market for men is worth more than $3.5 billion these days, with more and more members of the male species going under the knife for cosmetic reasons. In one study of people of the masculine persuasion carried out by – not surprisingly – a plastic surgeon, it was found that:

* Four percent believed that their level of bodily attractiveness would affect their success on the job, and make them seem more powerful

* 42 percent believed that their career would be made stronger if they could only improve one little thing about their face

* 32 percent thought that looking younger would affect their business performance more positively

Plastic Fantastic

Here is a list of the most common plastic procedures for men, in no specific order:

* Gynecomastia, or Male Breast Reduction. it is estimated that about 15 percent of all men are dissatisfied with the size of their breasts, and now some are finally doing something about it. Men develop man boobs, or moobs, for a range of reasons, including hormonal changes, steroid abuse and being drastically overweight. Surgery to get rid of them sometimes involves a full operation, while on some occasions means utilizing the latest in liposuction combined with laser surgery.

* Eyelid Surgery. Also known as blepharoplasty for men, this procedure can be purely cosmetic, functional or both. It seeks to correct both sagging upper eyelids, as well as puffy bags underneath the eyes. Usually performed under just local anesthesia, it trims away excess fat, muscle and skin, with the remaining bits reattached in a manner that makes the eye area appear younger and more refreshed. The result: tighter, more taut eyelids and smoother under-eye areas.

* Pectoral Enhancement. Men who have tried everything but still maintain a chicken chest are currently relying on pectoral implants to allow them the bosoms they have always dreamed of. If no amount of exercise and diet has made your chest appear less than concave, your surgeon can insert implants made of silicone directly underneath the chest muscle to make the area seem more filled out. Requires general anesthesia and an overnight hospital stay – much like a boob job (ED: what’s the difference then?).

* Nose Job, aka Rhinoplasty. Carried out using a local or general anesthetic, depending on what needs to be done and individual preference, this is an out-patient procedure which can significantly influence a person’s looks. Costs will vary though the broad majority of men who opt for this op say it is money well spent. Men can have rhinoplasty from the age of 15, girls from age 13 (that is when their nose stops growing, evidently!).

* Liposuction. This form of weight loss involves using a cannula to literally suck the fat from your body. In men, problem areas are generally the breasts, love handles, tummy, thighs and neck. Tiny incisions are made so the great majority of folk, if not all, will not actually notice you have had the procedure done. Some men even have it done on their backs…

* Hair Transplants. Many guys think that nothing makes them look less tough than a lack of hair. Male pattern baldness affects a great many men, so if you can not stand your head resembling a ping pong ball, this could be the treatment of choice. it is fairly simple: your surgeon will take “donor” hair from the sides or back of your scalp, then surgically insert them in the bald patches, where it will probably begin to grow. Then again, you could simply purchase a stylish hat…

* Chin and Jawline Augmentation Surgery. Nothing spells out weakness more in a man than having a weak chin – or so proponents of chin surgery would have us believe. As a firm chin and jawline are considered signs of a “real” man, many men try to correct theirs when they fall flat (or rounded, flabby and soft). Surgery consists of varying types of chin implants which make your jaw more angled and square.

* Penis Extension Surgery. If slicing through the penile ligament sounds appealing, this is the operation for you. This operation, also known as phalloplasty or male enhancement surgery, does not actually make your member more massive, it simply makes it dangle lower. You may prefer a different – and considerably more invasive – procedure where fat from another part of your body is injected into your Johnson to raise its girth. Ouch!

Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments for Men

Apart from full-on surgery, men are also investing in less invasive cosmetic operations to look better. it is estimated that about one-seventh of all Botox anti-wrinkle injections are done on men, and guys are also jumping on the injectable filler band-wagon, to smooth out wrinkle lines and plump up lips. In fact, the American Academy of Facial and Plastic Surgery reckons that between 2000 and 2007 there was 91 percent hike in the amount of men non-surgical facial enhancements.

Men make up 20 percent of all laser hair removal procedures as well, according to statistics. They are getting to grips with unwanted hair in more ways as well, with male waxing salons becoming better and more common to make chests, buttocks and backs sleek and smooth. Pretty hands and feet are no longer a woman-only domain either: the number of male manicures and pedicures are on the rise, among men of all sexual orientations, and hair salons for men are frequently a lot more than the simple barbershop of Andy Griffith’s day.

If you want a bit of plastic surgery, it does not matter if you are a guy or woman – what matters is that you have reasonable expectations and get a qualified, Board-certified surgeon in whom you have absolute trust. But if you believe that changing your appearance will drastically alter your life, think again. Beauty is merely skin deep; in the long run, the oomph behind the front is generally more important.

Correcting male breast enlargement, a condition known as gynecomastia, has become the third most requested procedure of plastic surgery for men in the United States.

San Francisco plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott W. Mosser, reports a steady increase in male patients in the Bay Area seeking many plastic surgery procedures once performed only on women. As a result, plastic surgery for men will frequently include one of the following procedures. Liposuction for facial and body contouring leads the way, followed by rhinoplasty. Nevertheless, situated third in the demands and rising fast is the procedure to correct male breast enlargement, a condition much more prevalent than generally known.

Gynecomastia is a condition that is present to some degree in about a third of the male population. Gynecomastia is a term describing the condition itself, regardless of the nature of the cause leading to the development of such a problem. The condition may be pathological, physiological, or a side effect of taking certain drugs (for instance, various treatments including hormones). In any of the circumstances, patients feel uncomfortable about the way they look. Fortunately, correction is possible with male plastic surgery procedures.

Often a reason for embarrassment and concealment, male plastic surgery can achieve a life changing result in many cases. The feeling of discomfort related to your appearance will no longer burden you. A consultation with Dr. Scott W. Mosser, a Board-Certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgery, could answer many of your questions and explain the types of male plastic surgery you may undergo for correcting this disorder. Dr. Mosser will examine the symptoms and together with you determine the possible causes of your gynecomastia. Then you can opt for the type of plastic surgery for men, which suits you best.

Three are three general approaches to correcting gynecomastia. The first procedure is liposuction . With such a procedure, the purpose is to remove excess fatty tissue that may be causing the overall uncomfortable feeling, and reshape the breast and chest area. The second male plastic surgery procedure is a combination of surgical incisions made around the nipples to remove excess glandular and fatty tissue plus liposuction of the surrounding area to reshape and sculpture the chest area.

The third procedure is surgical breast reduction achieved by surgical incisions made in the natural skin folds of the chest and around the nipples. This third option is a general recommendation in the cases where there has been extreme weight loss resulting in loose or sagging skin, and a repositioning of the nipples may be necessary to achieve an esthetic result.

The type of plastic surgery for men indicated depends on the type of tissue contributing to the male breast enlargement condition. This can include the following types: glandular tissue, which requires surgical removal of glandular tissue; fatty-glandular, which requires surgical removal of glandular tissue with or without removal of adjacent fat to give the best overall shape; simple fatty, which requires diet/exercise for weight loss, with auxiliary surgical removal of fatty tissue.

You will discuss with your surgeon the type of tissue at the basis of your breast enlargement condition and then decide on the best surgical procedure to approach. Remember that you need to be aware of your options and consult with a surgeon who is ready to answer all of your questions concerning such a procedure.