When someone says the words "breast reduction," most people think instinctively of women. However, interestingly enough, breast reduction is becoming increasingly common in men. More and more men are opting for surgical solutions to the embarrassing problem of "man boobs."
It is by no means uncommon for men to store excess fat in the chest region. Some studies suggest that as much as 40% of men experience some form of swelling in the breast area. Sometimes this swelling is classified as gynecomastia, in which the actual breast glands within the chest swell, which is usually caused by an overabundance of female hormones within the body. Other times it is classified as pseudo-gynecomastia, which means that there is no actual enlargement of breast tissue, but merely an excess of fat. Common though these problems may be, they make many men uncomfortable and embarrassed.
In some unfortunate men, exercise and diet are not sufficient to do away with these excess fat deposits. Where fat deposits are located is mostly determined by genetics, and some men are genetically predisposed to store fat in the chest. More and more of these men are turning to cosmetic procedures such as liposuction in order to improve their appearance. For example, in the United Kingdom, male breast reductions have risen 1000% in the last five years.
There are a number of ways to reduce the size of the male breast. Some of these methods remove large sections of tissue and skin. Others are less invasive. One of the least traumatic methods of removing excess chest fat is liposuction. Although liposuction can't actually remove swollen glands (gynecomastia), it can be very effective at removing excess fat (pseudo-gynecomastia). Because it is less invasive than other procedures, liposuction can be easier to recover from.
In the past, liposuction of the male breast has been difficult because the fatty tissue of the male breast tends to be very dense and fibrous. This has made it difficult to suction out. However, there have been a number of recently developed procedures that make it easier to remove even hard, toughened fat. Laser lipolysis uses surgical lasers to break down and liquefy fat before it is suctioned out. The low frequency sound waves used in Custom Acoustic Liposuction have proved effective in breaking up fibrous fat.
The best way to find out if liposuction can help improve the appearance of your chest (or anywhere else) is to consult with a surgeon in your area. A number of cosmetic surgeons offer free consultations to prospective clients. This can be an invaluable resource in deciding what sort of cosmetic surgery will be best for you.
