Removing excess breast fat, skin, and tissue is not just for women. Almost 70% of adolescent boys are affected by a condition known as gynecomastia, enlargement of male breast tissue, resulting in a rise of male breast reduction plastic surgery up by 5% in 2012. Gynecomastia often develops in boys during puberty and can persist into adulthood. Liposuction of the chest and breasts is recommended for these patients.
Gynecomastia is more than just an aesthetic issue. New studies show adolescent boys with gynecomastia suffer from lower mental health, self-esteem, and social functioning when compared to their peers. They are even reported to have higher rates of eating disorder behaviors. Even a mild case of gynecomastia can have a negative psychosocial effect on a young man. Earlier studies report higher rates of depression and anxiety in young men with enlarged breasts.
It is recommended to treat gynecomastia at an early stage to improve these unpleasant emotional effects. Despite the evidence of a lowered quality of life for patients with gynecomastia, the procedure is not covered by insurance. Although the condition is not physically harmful, the improvement of a patient’s quality of life after gynecomastia correction proves that it is far more than a cosmetic improvement.
