Plastic surgeons see an increase in male breast reduction surgeries
Over
the last years, there have been many reports on the media regarding the
number of men undergoing a surgical procedure to improve their appearance.
Given the stigma on plastic surgery is constantly reducing it is possible
that plastic surgeons will see more male patients visiting their office.
In the United Kingdom, this trend is already visible. 790 men were subjected to male breast reduction surgery in 2011, and this means that the number has doubled compared to 5 years earlier, according to BBC. χρόνια νωρίτερα, σύμφωνα με το BBC.
In
the USA, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says that about
17,645 men were subjected to gynecomastia surgery, making it the fourth most
popular procedure among men.
Gynecomastia is a condition in which men develop tissue around their
breasts, and this may result in discomfort and tenderness around the
nipples.
It can also have a negative impact on one’s self-esteem. According to the source of the news, it commonly manifests in adolescent males, yet 30% of the sufferers are men of older ages.
"I think the first time I realized I was kind of different, I was probably eight or nine in elementary school.
We went swimming and realized I thought that my chest looks slightly different to the other boys", says Ayo Adesina to the news source, who had a breast reduction surgery.
"It was very, very annoying. Everyone in the changing rooms would say 'Ayo,
look at your little boobs' and stuff like that which was kind of hurtful.
When I would look in the mirror, it does bother you so I decided it was time
to do something about it"..
“Unfortunately,
there are still some misunderstandings over gynecomastia, which make life
even more difficult for those suffering from the disease.
A lot of people think it is due to bad nutrition or lack of exercise, but in reality, it may be caused by a number of factors, from medication side effects to hormonal imbalances.
This misunderstanding has forced even more people to seek surgical intervention. According to ASAPS, gynecomastia affects 40-60% of male population. On some occasions, it can even cause an asymmetry in your appearance.
