Men are mostly chided for their ‘man boobs’, all too often viewed as a symbol of being effeminate and overweight. The media lapped up images of Mark Latham in 2004, his ‘boobs’ jiggling as he ran from wicket to wicket during a cricket game. The reality for many men who have Gynaecomastia, however, is no laughing matter. Rather, it’s an embarrassing affliction that can undermine self-confidence and make physical activity uncomfortable.

What is Gynaecomastia?

There are two types of Gynaecomastia: excess breast tissue or excess fat tissue. In some cases, it can develop more in one breast than the other. While no one really knows exactly why Gynaecomastia develops in some men and not in others, it can be treated in a number of ways.

Fixing the problem

For men who develop Gynaecomastia from excess fat tissue, losing weight and undertaking a regular exercise regime can fix the problem. In some cases, surgery may be an option. Liposuction is used to remove the excess fat tissue, and if need be, excess skin can be removed, leaving the chest well contoured and firm.

For cases where the cause is the development of the breast tissue itself, diet and exercise will not be enough, but surgery is very effective for this type of Gynaecomastia. First, the excess breast tissue is removed with a scalpel, and then a compression bandage is worn while the body heals.

Surgery is relatively quick, with both types taking around two hours under a general anaesthetic. An overnight stay may be necessary for some cases, but others are just a short day stay.

Depending on the case, recovery times can vary. In cases where excess skin has been removed as well, the first week of recovery is the most difficult, and movement should be minimal at this stage to reduce the chance of any bleeding. After this time, recovery is generally very fast, and light exercise can be resumed after about three weeks.

The most important step is finding a surgeon that you feel at ease with, and who takes the time to explain the procedure and follow up care in detail. Do some research before your first appointment and take a list of questions along with you. A good surgeon will take their time to answer all of them. Developing a good relationship with your surgeon is important, and will help you feel comfortable throughout your procedure and beyond.

Also, most surgeons will have ‘before and after’ shots, and this will help you to understand not only how they work as a surgeon, but also what you can realistically expect as an outcome.

Where to go for help

Finding a surgeon that is right for you can be difficult, and you may want to seek out a few. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons is a good place to start (www.plasticsurgery.org.au). Their site has a ‘surgeon search’ option that is very easy to use.