Gynecomastia, colloquially known as man boobs, is one of the most common and non-threatening conditions that affect boys and male adults. The condition is caused by excessive fat, skin, or glandular tissue that causes the breasts to swell abnormally. Gynecomastia can cause severe anxiety, intense self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
What Factors Contribute to Gynecomastia?
While the actual cause of gynecomastia is uncertain, physicians have found various factors that males with this problem share. Some of these include:
- High body fat percentage
- Obesity
- Hormone conditions like hyperthyroidism
- Health conditions like liver and kidney failure
- Certain estrogen-based prescription drugs
- Anabolic steroids
- Drugs like heroin and marijuana
- Underlying illnesses
- Aging
- Puberty
The good news is that gynecomastia is treatable. A physician can recommend nonsurgical treatments for the condition, which focus on addressing the underlying cause, like lifestyle changes and hormone therapy. Alternatively, breast reduction surgery is another great option for treating gynecomastia.
Is Exercise Enough to Treat Gynecomastia?
When you go to the doctor about your man boobs, they’ll likely recommend exercise as a nonsurgical treatment. In particular, cardio and chest workouts can help lessen the look of gynecomastia. Cardio exercises help burn fat, while chest workouts aid in increasing the growth of the pectoral muscle. In general, you’d be advised to do:
- Walking
- Running
- Swimming
- Rowing
Along with exercise, you also need to make lifestyle changes such as:
- Maintaining a proper diet
- Stopping the use of drugs and steroids
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Losing weight
There is no doubt that exercise is beneficial to the body, but it is insufficient in treating gynecomastia. For starters, it’s tough to target a specific body area for fat loss. Furthermore, the excess breast tissue comprises muscle, glandular tissue, and fat.
Choosing Gynecomastia Surgery
Some may benefit from non-invasive treatments to minimize the appearance of swollen breasts. But most men with moderate to severe gynecomastia may find that these treatments are ineffective. If you’re in this situation, gynecomastia surgery is an option. This procedure has long-term positive results like effectively contouring and reshaping your chest.
Liposuction is a standard procedure for breast reduction. To implant a cannula, a cosmetic surgeon will make a series of small incisions. They do this to disrupt the fat and glandular tissue in the enlarged area and suction it out. As a result, the breast tissue shrinks, giving way to a smoother chest. Other treatment options include excision, which removes bigger volumes of glandular tissue.
Gynecomastia surgery, regardless of the technique, aids in shaping a more manly chest. Men who have had these procedures enjoy the many benefits of the surgery, which include:
Lost-lasting effect
Since glandular tissue doesn’t regenerate, removing them surgically will result in a permanent solution. Note that it will take several weeks for the swelling to subside before you see the full result of the surgery.
Boost self-esteem and confidence
Gynecomastia affects a man’s demeanor and character too. Men with swollen breasts are often highly self-conscious because of the stigma associated with having man boobs. This can lead to mental health issues such as poor self-esteem, social anxiety, and depression. Surgery can be a game-changer since it lessens self-consciousness, which leads to growth in confidence.
Relieves back pain
Lower back pain isn’t confined to women with big breasts since it can also bring discomfort to men with gynecomastia. Without the back muscles to support big breasts, the upper spine may curve out and become permanently deformed. This can lead to chronic hunch and spine soreness over time.
Makes exercising less painful
Not everyone who has gynecomastia is obese. However, keeping a healthy weight is particularly hard for males with the condition. All that extra fat and glandular tissue can make exercise unpleasant, if not excruciating. But with the surgery, exercising will no longer be a problem or as unpleasant as before.
Freedom to wear anything or nothing at all
Males who’ve gone through gynecomastia surgery no longer need to bypass clothing items that accentuate their bodies. They can even go shirtless if they want to. While this can be a minor detail to others, it spells freedom for males who have had to deal with their man boobs for a long time.
Take The Next Step with Palmer Cosmetic Surgery
While gynecomastia is not life-threatening, it does cause pain and discomfort. Exercise and non-invasive treatments can help lessen swelling, but often, they’re not enough. Gynecomastia surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures used to treat this condition. A competent professional with specialized training and experience is required to ensure that the procedure is done correctly.
If you’re from Fort Lauderdale or the neighboring area, visit Palmer Cosmetic Surgery. Our Fort Lauderdale gynecomastia specialists can assist you in shrinking your man boobs and reshaping your chest to your liking. Contact us today to set up your consultation.