Male Breast Reduction Surgery on the Rise in St. Louis and Beyond

While everyone has some feature or imperfection that causes them dismay, for a good percentage of the population this discomfort can significantly impair quality of life. Men suffering from gynecomastia—commonly referred to as “man boobs”—can be uncomfortable in situations and functions requiring swimwear. But men are increasingly battling back, opting for a particular surgery: male breast reduction. St. Louis-based Dr. Terry Myckatyn of West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University is very familiar with this procedure as demand for it grows in Missouri and elsewhere.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, male breast reduction procedures performed by member surgeons increased by more than 10 percent last year—a number that seems significant, but pales in comparison to the number of men suffering from gynecomastia. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that half of all men suffer from this problem, which has a variety of potential causes, including hormonal imbalances, weight gain, and drug use.

The Mayo Clinicdefines gynecomastia as a “swelling of breast tissue in boys or men” and primarily attributes this uncomfortable condition to an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone. Because newborns, boys experiencing puberty, and older men tend to experience a natural shift in hormones, they are more likely to experience gynecomastia. Not everyone chooses male breast reduction, of course, as the condition should generally disappear within two years. But besides being a source of emotional distress, gynecomastia does sometimes result in physical pain as well, which can be reduced by medication or male breast reduction surgery, such as that offered by the West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University in St. Louis.

Because hormone balances can indicate more serious medical conditions, it is important that men suffering from gynecomastia seek the assistance of a trained physician who can not only carry out male breast reduction as necessary, but perform the necessary tests to ensure there’s no serious underlying cause. It’s also worth noting that there are websites and forums dedicated to helping men who suffer from this physical problem, and anyone considering male breast reduction surgery can still benefit from broader community support.

According to a Reuters article published about the recent uptick in male breast reduction procedures, the surgery is performed utilizing liposuction to remove excess fat and glandular tissue, returning the area to its natural, preferred contours. The male breast reduction procedure takes about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes to complete, during which the patient is under general anesthesia. After male breast reduction surgery, patients can return to work within seven to 14 days and are expected to avoid serious activity for three to four weeks following the procedure.

The article points out that male breast reduction surgery might not be the best solution for all men in the St. Louis area and beyond suffering from gynecomastia. In fact, ideal candidates are those who are displeased with the proportion of fat and skin in their breasts but have good skin elasticity, are within 30 to 40 pounds of their ideal body weight, and have already attempted diet and exercise to rectify the problem.