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Questions About Cosmetic Surgery for Men

Serving Chicago, Illinois

What cosmetic surgeries are men asking for?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) collects statistics every year on cosmetic surgery and categorizes them in many ways. In 2006, the top five male cosmetic surgeries were:

• Nose reshaping — 85,000
• Eyelid surgery — 37,000
• Liposuction — 35,000
• Hair transplantation — 20,000
• Male breast reduction — 20,000

In 2005, the same five were in the top positions but in a slightly different order.

Are there more men wanting cosmetic surgery now than in past years?

Yes. Drawing again from the statistics collected by the ASPS, cosmetic procedures for men increased by 8% between 2000 and 2006. Among all male procedures done in 2006, there was an increase of 22% for male breast reduction while demand for facelifts went down by 39% and liposuction went down by 32%. Overall, there were 256,000 surgical procedures done for men in 2006. Including minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and microdermabrasion, there were 1.1 million male procedures done in 2006.

What is gynocomastia?

The male breast contour is typically made from muscle, fat and skin. Glandular tissue may or may not be present in any significant quantity. Gynocomastia means male breasts, from Greek words meaning "woman-like breasts". It may be on both sides or only one. This enlargement can be caused by the presence of excess glandular tissue, or excess fat, or both. The causes are not known in most cases.

How is gynocomastia treatment done?

That depends on the proportions of fat vs glandular tissue that are the problem. Fat can be removed with liposuction. Glandular tissue is more solid and needs to be removed through an incision beneath the areola. Sometimes a medication is contributing to the problem, and that can be changed. Each male breast reduction is customized for that particular man.

Can the excess fat be removed by exercising?

No. Diet and exercise can help with excess fat overall, but they don’t help against the breasts specifically. In fact, if exercise increases the muscle size, that pushes the fat and glandular tissue further forward, making the breasts even more enlarged.

Dr. Placik is a big believer in patient education. The more you know about any procedure you are planning to have, the better you can understand what is happening in your body, and how to speed your recovery. Please contact our plastic surgery office to set up a complimentary consultation. Our two Chicago offices offer a full array of cosmetic surgery, including non-invasive procedures.

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Associated Plastic Surgeons, S.C.
Otto J. Placik, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(847) 398-1660 or (312) 787-5313
Arlington Heights and Chicago, Illinois

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