Gynecomastia, or man boobs, affects half of men worldwide. Gyno surgery has become one of the most popular ways to treat it, but there may be better options. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Gynecomastia surgery.
Did you know that somewhere between 50% and 60% of adolescent guys experience some degree of gynecomastia, better known as man boobs? That’s according to the National Institute of Health who points out that lifestyle choices such as diet and a lack of exercise are increasing the prevalence of the condition.
Sure, gyno is harmless, but it’s embarrassing (to say the least). It’s that social anxiety that drives many men to consider gynecomastia surgery or male breast reduction surgery. While gyno can be treated naturally, some guys require this invasive procedure. If you’re considering gyno surgery, here’s what you need to know before having it done.
Gynecomastia Surgery Facts
Gynecomastia surgery involves the removal of the stored fat cells and fatty tissue that have developed in the male breast and chest area. The procedure involves a qualified surgeon who will make a small incision under the breast and perform liposuction (removal of fat cells), fatty tissue removal, or both. The average gyno surgery will take between one and three hours, and you can go home after the procedure.
Who Can Undergo Gyno Surgery? Most surgeons will require men to meet most, if not all, of the following conditions in order to be eligible for the surgery:
Weight Loss: Before gyno surgery is performed, your doctor and surgeon will request that you lose weight. If you’re overweight and have this surgery performed, you’re at risk for saggy skin should you lose all of the weight after the surgery.
Lifestyle Changes: If you drink an excessive amount of alcohol, smoke, or use illegal drugs, you may not be a good candidate. Also, anabolic steroid users will not be considered until they have stopped using these drugs.
All Options Exhausted: In general, most surgeons will have you follow a natural course of action before considering surgery. If you’re in good health, have made every attempt at weight loss, and follow a clean lifestyle, then you’ll most likely be able to get the surgery.
Gynecomastia Surgery Cost
It’s tough to pin down a set price for the typical gynecomastia surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons cites the average cost of around $3,978 in 2018, but then you have cases where the procedure could cost from $5,000 to $10,000.
Why such a jump in price? The cost is related to how much work you need. If you have a severe case of gyno that requires both liposuction and removal of excess fatty tissue, then the procedure is going to cost much more.
Forms of Male Breast Reduction Surgery As explained above, there are two primary types of male breast reduction surgery: liposuction and fatty tissue removal.
In both cases, an incision is made beneath the breast. Liposuction involves having fat cells sucked out through a small vacuum-like instrument. If the gyno requires it, the surgeon may cut away the fatty tissue that has formed around the muscle tissue. In severe cases, both forms of gyno surgery are performed.
Man Boobs Surgery Results Most of the men report being very happy with their results following recovery. In fact, one study surveyed both men with a significant case of gyno and the surgeons who performed the surgery. They asked them to rate their satisfaction with their surgery results from a scale of one to ten. The average score among the patients was nine, and the average score of the surgeons was just under nine.
Risks and Recovery Period after Gyno Surgery No invasive procedure is without risk. Here are the most common side effects or risk factors to consider following a gynecomastia surgery:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Scaring
- Pigment (skin color) changes
- Offset nipples
- Loss of sensation or feeling in the breasts (this is common post-surgery and usually goes away within several months to a year)
As for recovery, you’ll notice a difference immediately, but nothing that will make you want to run to the beach. As the swelling fades over the next few days, you’ll see a much more noticeable change in appearance.
With that said, to truly enjoy your results, you’ll have to be patient and wait up to six months. This is the time it will take the muscle tissue to fully heal, revealing a flatter chested you. The results you get from gyno surgery are meant to last, but this is assuming you make important lifestyle changes with diet and exercise.
Gynecomastia Treatment Without Surgery
If you have gynecomastia, we recommend going the all-natural route first to see what type of success you can achieve without surgery. Here are the best methods for gynecomastia treatment without surgery.
Exercises
The first step is to target the problem area with proven exercises. Working the muscle can help to reduce fat and provide a firmer appearance. We recommend targeting the chest muscles from all angles, not just a standard flat bench approach. Here’s your new gyno-reducing chest workout:
- One-Arm Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions
- Incline Dumbbell Flyes: 3 x 12 – 15
- Barbell Decline Press: 3 x 8 – 10
- One-Arm Cable Crossover: 3 x 8 – 10
Diet
To reduce the fatty breast tissue, diet and proper nutrition are going to be key. If you haven’t already, you should calculate the number of calories you need each day with an online calorie calculator. From there, you can track your meals with a phone app.
As for what to eat: Focus on eliminating unhealthy choices from your diet. Drastically reduce or eliminate all sugar and trans-fat options. Slowly, begin incorporating more natural choices with a big emphasis on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Fat-Burning Supplements
While diet and exercise will make up the foundation of getting rid of your man boobs, fat-burning supplements can also play an important part. We recommend Gynectrol, which contains three tried-and-true fat-scorching ingredients: sclareolide, suggulsterone, and caffeine.
Boosting Testosterone
Testosterone is the male-dominant sex hormone that is responsible for growing facial hair, deepening your voice, and building lean muscle mass. It’s also one hell of a fat burner. There is a direct correlation between having gyno and low testosterone levels. By increasing your natural testosterone production, you can simultaneously support muscle building and fat burning.
Exercise and diet help with t-levels, but you can also take a safe and all-natural testosterone booster. Testo-Max contains a variety of proven ingredients for skyrocketing natural test levels including zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, nettle leaf, and ginseng.
Compression Shirts to Hide Man Boobs
Compression material has become a fitness staple. Not only does it look good, but it can help to alleviate aches and pains while increasing blood flow. What started out as compression socks has exploded into a complete compression clothing line.
Compression shirts are often worn inside the gym to increase blood flow and pumps during exercise. If you want to hide your man boobs, compression shirts are the way to go. Some studies suggest that the increased blood flow from the compression shirt can help your body burn more fat.
Go Natural First The natural way might take longer and it might be tougher, but it’s safer, less expensive, and you’ll get a better sense of self-satisfaction from it. Change up your lifestyle choices for a few months and evaluate your progress.
If the all-natural route doesn’t seem to be reducing the size and appearance of your man boobs, then have a chat with your doctor and ask for a plastic surgeon recommendation.
