In the second year running, a survey of surgeons has found that a record number of men are getting ‘moob jobs’ done to eliminate sagging, unsightly breasts. Presence of excess localized fat and/or excess glandular tissue in one or both breasts in men causes male breasts, medically referred to as gynecomastia. Gynecomastia accounts for more than 65 percent of all male breast disorders, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and is the cause for shame and humiliation in such men whose chests take on a more feminine look.
The number of male breast reductions went up to 581 in 2009, moving from the fifth most popular procedure for men to third, shooting up the percentage of such surgeries by 80%. Back in 2003, just 22 man-boob reductions were carried out. Surgeons believe that this surge is triggered by celeb influence, as more and more male celebrities are showing off their perfectly toned pectorals and making it seem more like a ‘must have’ for every common man.
Media attention has caused surgical body contouring to become a rage today. It is therefore not surprising that even a low economic climate has not deterred people from opting for cosmetic surgery to look and feel their best.
Mr Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS Secretary responsible for the UK national audit of cosmetic surgery, said: “This year we have recorded a dramatic rise in a number of male surgical procedures, probably due to heightened media attention, which has allowed men to realise the positive outcomes that can be achieved.
“The continued popularity of brow lifts and eyelid surgery may mean that patients still keen to have rejuvenating treatments despite the recession, are choosing more cost-effective measures such as targeting one particular feature, rather than having a whole facelift.”
Written by Snigdha taduri for Biomed-ME