More men are electing for surgery – to remove their breasts.
Yes, according to new statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there’s been a noticeable increase in the number of guys opting for cosmetic surgeries, from liposuction to tummy tucks.
But one stat is an eye-catcher: the rate of male breast reductions has increased by 30% over the past five years.
Now, these ‘man boobs’ are actually the result of a condition known as gynecomastia, which causes men to have swollen breast tissue. This excess tissue localizes behind the nipple, causing them to protrude, and make the guy look like he actually has breasts.
“Man boobs” is a funny term, but the condition is probably not a laughing matter to the men who have it, which is as high as 30% of all guys, according to one 2014 study.
So, why are more guys with gynecomastia hitting up cosmetic surgeons these days, and not in the past?
“I think that there are many reasons,” Stafford Broumand, MD, a professor of plastic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, tells Health. “One is plastic surgery is now more acceptable for men and women.”
Plus, there are more viable options for those that choose treatment. These include liposuction, liposuction with removal of the breast glands only, breast gland removal with skin tightening, and a traditional reduction surgery that removes hanging skin, visible breasts, and breast tissue.
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“Everything is increased with social media and people wanting to look good and people trying to be relevant in a young person’s game, where people are living longer and wanting to be in the workforce longer,” he says.
Before undergoing surgery, Dr. Broumand explains that a doctor will determine if the gynecomastia is hereditary, hormonal, the result of weight loss or gain, or aging, so the root cause of the problem can be addressed.
Regardless, it’s usually successful no matter what’s chosen. “There’s relatively minimal downtime, and now you have a lifetime of a better existence,” he says.
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