Things You Must Know About Male Chest Reduction Surgery
Male chests, or manboobs, are a health concern that involves the development of breasts in males. Unlike in females, this breast development or enlargement in males is an abnormality.
Normally, boys in their teens or puberty phase experience this condition. However, in most cases, this development fades away in a couple of months or years. And their breasts get back to their original size and structure. Unluckily, some men experience continued chest development for prolonged years. In such a case, doctors consider it manboobs. And we need to treat this condition without taking chances.
Gynecomastia—Worldwide
According to one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) statistics, more than 50% of male newborns possess breast buds. And 50–60% of male adolescents show enlarged breasts. Surprisingly, more than half of the total male population suffers from this gynecomastia (male chest) medical condition.
Gynecomastia Symptoms and Causes
The major symptoms of male breasts include:
- Unusual swelling in and around breasts
- Pain due to heavy breasts
- Tenderness or sensitivity in nipples
- The presence of breast buds in babies
- Unilateral or bilateral enlargement of chests
Though the symptoms are common among males, gynecomastia causes may differ from one male to another. When young boys or adolescents suffer from this condition, the major cause is an imbalance in the estrogen levels in the body. On the other side, when adults or older men suffer from this condition, the causes may be:
- Thyroid problems
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Breast or pituitary gland cancer
- Alcohol abuse
- Drug addiction
- Liver disease
- Kidney failure
Based on the particular cause and severity of this condition, men may experience different types of gynecomastia (Grades I, II, IIb, and III). In fact, the doctor suggests gynecomastia surgery only after evaluating in detail the symptoms, cause, and grade.
A Male Breast Reduction Surgery
When non-surgical medical interventions like antioestrogens, testosterone replacement therapy (to treat gynecomastia), and strict workouts (to treat pseudo gynecomastia) fail, then comes the surgical intervention.
Recently, owing to lifestyle changes, most men suffer from fat-based breast enlargement. This could be treated with a liposuction procedure wherein the fat deposits are melted and extracted from the breasts. Aesthetic surgeons perform either laser-, power-, ultrasound-, or radio frequency-assisted liposuction. Alternatively, when men suffer from actual breast tissue growth in their chests, doctors perform a mastectomy.
A typical male breast reduction surgery involves both liposuction and breast tissue removal. In this surgery, in addition to fat cell removal, the unwanted glandular (breast) tissues are removed from the chest with intra-, peri-, and circum-areolar incisions.
Here are some must-know things about surgical treatment for man boobs:
(I) Eligibility
First of all, only males above 18 years of age (crossed adolescence) can undergo the surgery. Secondly, when a male feels much discomfort due to large breasts, he can choose gynecomastia surgery. In some cases, a few men may have asymmetrical breasts (differences in size or structure). They can also opt for this surgery.
(II) Cost
As per the March 2023 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) report, the average cost of this surgery in the United States accounts for $4,239. In India, the cost varies between INR 75,000 and 3,50,000, depending upon the grade or type of gynecomastia. The cost of gynecomastia in Chennai is approximately 1,00,000 (at Tamira, the leading aesthetic healthcare center).
(III) Pre-requisites
The candidate must stop smoking and drinking alcohol for at least one week before the surgery. Also, the consumption of anti-inflammatory medicines or the use of scents is strictly prohibited 3–4 days before the surgery.
(IV) Risks or side effects
After the surgery, the patient may experience bruising, redness, or swelling around the regions of the incision. This may cease in one or two weeks. Slight scarring may be observed. However, over time, it will get hidden under the skin contours of the chest.
(V) Recovery tips
The surgeons recommend patients wear compression garments to contract the skin in the breast region. Like in preparation, smoking or alcohol is not allowed until 3–4 weeks. Strictly adhering to these tips can ease and expedite the patient’s recovery.
