Secret Surgery: Gynecomastia

Created on 20th September 2011

Breast reduction surgery for women is a popular topic but there is a rarely talked about condition that affects a large percentage of the male population: gynecomastia. Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetics Magazine investigates the rise in demand for asurgical solution that can change the lives of men who have suffered in silence for years

It is estimated that 30 per cent of the male population suffers from the condition gynecomastia, more commonly referred to as 'moobs' or 'man boobs'. The condition is one that varies in severity depending on the person. In the most extreme cases the condition can have a huge effect on quality of life and self confidence.

Gynecomastia is gradually becoming more widely acknowledged, with the media playing a large part in this, however in many cases the condition is reported on with amusement and misunderstanding. For those that want to reduce their 'man boobs' then male chest reduction surgery is a viable and successful option.

Leading cosmetic surgeon Mr Alex Karidis performs on average 3-5 male chest reductions a week in his Central London practice. One of Mr Karidis' most recent patients was a man who had let the condition take over his life. His story shows that without clear understanding and advice, an easily treated problem can become something much greater.

Transforming Lives

Twenty-three-year-old Lee Jardine had suffered with the condition since his early teens. For years he felt self conscious and ashamed of his body letting the condition wreck his confidence and affect his relationship with his partner Diana and young son Taylor.

As many people would, Lee initially put the increasing size of his chest down to puberty. At the age of 13 he began to notice his chest getting bigger and bigger and after a year he had what he saw as full-size breasts. At school Lee would be teased and the target of many jokes. This bullying caused Lee to become more and more introverted, stopping him from getting involved with physical activities at school and mixing with friends.

He became so aware of the size of his chest that he let it take over his life. At this young age Lee had no idea that he did have a medical condition; he put it down to weight and bad luck. Lee didn't have any idea how to rid himself of his large chest so resorted to fastening a thick leather belt around his chest to try and reduce the size. He would then wear four layers of clothing because he hated that in normal clothes you could see the definition of his breasts. As Lee got to his mid-teens he started to put on weight. As he saw his weight increase he began to think that this might have something to do with his large chest. Lee decided he would take action and start to go to the gym and diet. After a few months Lee successfully lost the weight he needed to, but his large chest remained.

Eventually Lee was encouraged by his partner Diana to go and see his GP. After a consultation Lee was diagnosed with gynecomastia; at last he had a name and an understanding of what had happened to his body. He was told that the problem was triggered by hormonal issues and was nothing to do with his weight. Lee was told that the best way to rid him of the condition would be to have male chest reduction surgery. Lee and his family researched several cosmetic surgeons and decided to arrange an initial consultation with Mr Alex Karidis.

The consultation

During his consultation Mr Karidis explained to Lee how he thought the surgery would help and what would be involved. Lee was delighted with the consultation and couldn't believe that the surgery could actually help him - he had convinced himself for so long that there was nothing that could be done. Mr Karidis explained that he would use liposuction and breast gland removal to reduce the size. Lee would not need any stitches and would be back on his feet in a matter of hours. Lee couldn't believe how simple everything sounded - finally he was going to feel normal again.

The surgery

After a short time to digest all the information Lee had received from Mr Karidis he decided to go ahead with the surgery. On the day of surgery Lee was nervous but, more than anything, excited. After a little over an hour in surgery, Lee was in recovery after a successful operation. Everything had gone to plan and Mr Karidis was delighted with the results.

The results

After a few weeks of wearing a post-surgery garment, Lee could finally see the results of the surgery. He was absolutely delighted. The difference was amazing, he no longer had breasts just a normal-looking male chest.

Lee explains: "This operation has totally changed my life. All of my family and friends have noticed that I am like a new person. I can do things that I had held back on for so long, like taking my son swimming and going on holiday with my girlfriend. I am proud of my body and not ashamed like I had been for the majority of my adult life. It's amazing that one procedure can change someone's life so drastically.

"My advice to anyone who is suffering in silence is to go to their GP, understand fully what the condition is and talk through the options. Once you get over the initial embarrassment of admitting the problem you can begin to deal with it. Surgery has changed my life and I am so grateful to Mr Karidis."