Today almost everyone is more conscious of their appearance, and men are turning to plastic surgery to feel more confident and comfortable about how they look. Although requests for non-invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers have increased significantly since 2020, many men are now choosing surgical procedures that can make more permanent changes. The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) 2020 plastic surgery report indicates that men now make up 13% of the total plastic surgery market.
One plastic surgery procedure increasing in popularity is gynecomastia (male breast reduction) surgery. Not all men feel the need to be ripped like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, yet they do not want to feel embarrassed to go shirtless because of man boobs. Dwayne Johnson has also undergone gynecomastia surgery and has been incredibly open, speaking about his surgery on Instagram. Man boobs are usually caused by a hormone imbalance and can not be eliminated with exercise or weight loss. Man boobs can also develop due to weight gain, but this is not true gynecomastia and is referred to as pseudogynecomastia. Of course, regardless of why a man has enlarged male breasts, they can cause embarrassment, affect confidence and even negatively impact personal relationships.
“Men are becoming more educated about plastic surgery, and my gynecomastia.org forum is extremely popular. Another way men are discovering plastic surgery procedures is through celebrities that share their stories. When someone like Dwayne Johnson admits he has had gynecomastia surgery, it makes it easier for the average man to admit they are not happy and want to have plastic surgery.” says Dr. Miguel Delgado M.D., F.A.C.S, a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in the San Francisco area and medical director of Gynecomastia.org.
Dr. Delgado explains four of the main reasons men want to have gynecomastia surgery to get rid of man boobs:
- Cultural norms have changed, and celebrities opening up about plastic surgery has helped to make plastic surgery more “normal”.
- Older men who develop man boobs after the male menopause are more conscious about their appearance and are no longer willing to accept changes to their bodies due to aging.
- Bodybuilders that use anabolic steroids often develop man boobs and want to have surgery to achieve the overall upper body they desire.
- Older men want to feel confident to start dating again following relationship breakdowns.
What Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?
The ASAPS reports that the average cost of gynecomastia surgery, according to 2020 statistics for male breast reduction, is $4,239. This only refers to the plastic surgeon’s fee, and the total cost is likely to be somewhere between $7,000 and $9,000 when all other related costs are added.
When it comes to cost, it is important to consider that more experienced plastic surgeons are likely to charge higher surgical rates.
Other costs include:
- Anesthetist’s charge (again, this will reflect their level of experience),
- Charge for the hospital or surgical facility
- Cost of the facility if an overnight stay is required
- Medical tests, such as blood tests and scans
- Prescription charges
- Post-surgical garments, such as compression garments
A general rule is that a hospital procedure is going to cost more than surgery performed at a plastic surgeon’s office. Choosing the most appropriate plastic surgeon for the procedure is key to reducing the risk of complications and the possibility of requiring revision surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery Forums
Women have been joining and interacting in cosmetic surgery forums for decades. Often these forums are for women only and focus on specific cosmetic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation and rhinoplasty. Forums enable people to ask questions, connect with people who have had cosmetic surgery, and provide a supportive environment, which may be lacking elsewhere.
This trend is now encompassing men, with numerous cosmetic surgery forums exclusively for men. One of the largest and oldest forums, Gynecomastia.org says in its mission statement that the forum’s purpose is to enable men to “express themselves with confidence and integrity.”
The Future of Male Cosmetic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery Advancements
Men still face some stigma regarding plastic surgery, and plastic surgery forums aimed at men may help to reduce this. Additionally, as more men open up on social media and more male celebrities open up about having plastic surgery, this stigma is slowly being eradicated.
“Men want to feel confident about the way they look and the demand for gynecomastia surgery has increased significantly,” says Dr. Miguel Delgado M.D., F.A.C.S, a plastic surgeon specializing in gynecomastia surgery at the Gynecomastia Center of Excellence, in the San Francisco area.
Men are also benefiting from cosmetic surgery advancements, which have made cosmetics surgery safer, with faster recovery times and high patient satisfaction rates. One of the most significant changes is the use of local anesthetic vs. general anesthetic. Over the past decade, many procedures that would have previously been performed under a general anesthetic are now regularly being done under local anesthetic. Using local anesthesia eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia, and patients also have a smoother and quicker recovery.
Technological advancements with micro-devices for surgery also reduce the risk of tissue damage, enabling the use of smaller incisions and diminishing the appearance of scars. This is especially relevant for men who have procedures where scars were previously a concern, such as with gynecomastia surgery. No one can predict the future of cosmetic surgery, but based on current trends and statistics, the demand for male cosmetic surgery is going to keep increasing.
