While liposuction may be thought of primarily as a cosmetic procedure, the benefits of body sculpting may extend beyond appearances, particularly when it comes to gynecomastia. This abnormal development of the male breast can have a devastating emotional impact on men of all ages.
Effects of Gynecomastia
Even mild cases of gynecomastia can cause adverse psychological effects, particularly in adolescent boys, according to one study conducted at Boston Children’s Hospital. Researchers conducted psychological tests among 47 boys who were being evaluated for gynecomastia, and compared them to boys without enlarged breasts. The participants overwhelmingly acknowledged a lower quality of life due to problems across many areas, including social functioning, lower scores for self-esteem and mental health. Further, the numbers didn’t vary significantly for boys who had only mild gynecomastia compared to those with more severe symptoms, which in itself indicates that the mental impact is far more serious and universal than the physical.
How Liposuction Helps
True gynecomastia is caused by enlargement of glandular breast tissue. Seen more commonly in adolescent boys suffering from the hormonal swings of puberty, the symptoms may resolve untreated as time passes. However, in about eight percent of diagnoses, the problem persists.
Early intervention and treatment with liposuction can make an impact. Although lipo cannot remove glandular tissue, it can slim down the lines of the chest to remove the most advanced signs of gynecomastia from fatty tissue. Lipo may also be incorporated with surgical excision of the glandular breast tissue for greater impact. Regardless of the approach taken, patients report significant improvement in self-esteem and quality of life following surgery.