Global survey indicates that gynaecomastia is on the rise

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male breast reduction Leamington SpaMoobs, man boobs, male breasts – whatever they are called, they are certainly not wanted. Requests for a chest reduction procedure to remove these appendages are on the rise in my Leamington cosmetic surgery clinic and a recent survey performed by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons show that this is a global trend.

What is gynaecomastia?

This refers to an over-development of the male chest area; this can either be the result of an excess of glandular breast tissue or an accumulation of fatty tissue in the chest or a combination of both and it can appear ‘breast-like’ in appearance.

All men have a small degree of glandular breast tissue in the chest, but why it develops in some is not always clear. It can be the result of certain medications,such as just a single use of steroids in body builders, but is often caused by hormonal changes which is why the problem can develop at or just after puberty or later on in life.

Liposuction vs male breast reduction for gynaecomastia

The first step is for your plastic surgeon to diagnose the cause of the problem as this can determine whether you require a surgical procedure to remove the glandular and fatty tissue, similar to a breast reduction or mammoplasty, or whether liposuction alone can improve the appearance of the chest.

I will take into account the degree of skin elasticity and the amount that the skin has already stretched. If the skin is not likely to shrink to the new contour of your chest, then we may need to excise some skin during the procedure.

Demand for gynaecomastia surgery

This growth in male cosmetic surgery is reflected here in the UK; the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons carries out an annual survey of all its members to publish cosmetic surgery figures every year. At the beginning of the year, they found that the two procedures that tackle male chest reduction had dramatically risen. Gynaecomastia procedures had jumped by 13% and male liposuction procedures had grown by 20% on the previous year.

Despite this rise, the UK still falls behind other countries in demand for gynaecomastia procedures. Brazil is still the home of the body beautiful and performed 12.4% of all worldwide procedures, with the US and India following closely.

For more information on the gynaecomastia procedure and to see whether you’re suitable for liposuction or chest reduction surgery, please call 01926 436341 to arrange a consultation.

Beyond vanity: why a tummy tuck can have medical benefits as well

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health benefits of a tummy tuck LeamingtonThe tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a highly effective cosmetic surgery procedure that can drastically improve the appearance of the abdomen, particularly for men and women who despair of ever being able to tone up their tummies.

But, a tummy tuck doesn’t just make you look better – both in and out of clothes – as it can also have a number of medical benefits:

# 1 Tummy tucks and weight loss

First, it’s very important to point out that an abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. For patients that have a great deal of excess weight to lose, a bariatric procedure to reduce the size of the stomach is probably more appropriate.

I advise my Leamington tummy tuck patients that it is best to be as close to their ideal body shape as possible as they typically will only lose a few pounds in actual weight. However, they will look ‘smaller’ and typically find they go down at least one dress size, due to the removal of excess skin and improvement to the contours of their waist.

However, there is a further link between body contouring surgery such as tummy tuck and weight loss. A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, found that patients who underwent a gastric bypass combined with a tummy tuck had better long-term weight loss than those who had the bariatric surgery alone.

There are definitely psychological benefits to having the physical appearance of your abdomen improved and patients are usually keen to maintain their results afterwards.

# 2 No more embarrassing incidents

One relatively common complication after vaginal birth is the development of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), where women can experience uncontrollable leakage from the bladder if they cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise. In 2014, a study was published in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s Aesthetic Surgery Journal that indicated that a tummy tuck could possibly alleviate the symptoms of SUI.

One of the study’s authors, Dr James McMahan, explained that it had significantly improved SUI symptoms in 60% of the 250 patients by pulling up sufficient soft tissue in the pelvic area to suspend the urethra and thereby reduce incontinence.

# 3 A stronger core

Many patients that I see at my Leamington tummy tuck clinic, are suffering a combination of weakened abdominal muscles and an apron of excess skin. Often they complain that they suffer from back pain. During a tummy tuck procedure, whenever indicated, I tighten up the abdominal muscles as well as removing any excess skin and patients typically report greatly improved posture afterwards and a diminution of back pain.

A further benefit to a stronger core is that patients find they are better able to exercise after their tummy tuck procedure and can enjoy the all-encompassing benefits of exercise.

As a plastic surgeon, it behoves me to explain in full the potential risks and complications of a surgical procedure as well as the benefits. For impartial and expert advice on the tummy tuck procedure, please call 01926 436341 to arrange a consultation at either my Rugby or Leamington cosmetic surgery clinics.