Here’s another post about stats around the world, but this time it’s not for breast augmentation, but breast reduction.
According to non-profit organisation, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, not only has the number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the UK increased from 2008 (36,482 compared to 34,187 in 2008), the number of men undergoing surgery has increased as well – dramatically, as a matter of fact.
Smaller, not Bigger
In 2009, the number of men getting breast reduction (the opposite of breast augmentation) rose 80%, almost doubling the total number of procedures in 2008. Out of the 3,623 total cosmetic procedures performed on men last year, there were 581 reported breast reduction surgeries.
Men who have abnormally large breasts suffer from a condition called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia tends to appear around the time of puberty, remaining temporarily. Other causes include disease, obesity, and hormonal imbalances. The appearance of enlarged breasts is created by excess tissue/fat settling in the area.
Male breast reduction can be treated with medication or, if the condition is due to excess fat settling in the chest (referred to as pseudo-gynecomastia), liposuction may be a viable solution.
For the Ladies
And going smaller wasn’t just popular with the men. For women, breast reduction surgery rose by 17% over 2008. However, breast augmentation still remains the most popular procedure, even when combining the total procedures performed on women and men overall, totaling 8,565 in 2009.