Information below provided by Smart Beauty Guide

Being a parent, it is my responsibility to teach my kids to be confident, and that confidence isn’t entirely based on one’s outward appearance. I am personally not a proponent of aesthetic plastic surgery for minors, but as a father of boys, I feel very empathetic towards boys and young men with gynecomastia. The treatment, (breast reduction surgery), is the only aesthetic surgical procedure that I will perform on children. And, if my boys are ever candidates for this procedure and have the desire, I would fully support their decision, even as teens, to have male breast reduction surgery.
 
Gynecomastia, often referred to derisively as ‘man-boobs’, is endemic in the United States. While gynecomastia can be associated with excess body mass and obesity, many males I see for gynecomastia reduction surgery are not overweight, but simply have experienced the spontaneous proliferation of fibrous breast tissue on one or both sides of their chest, for reasons that medical science currently cannot fully explain.
 
For young men and teens with gynecomastia, the problem can create a vicious cycle of self-consciousness and social withdrawal. With breast area enlargement, a boy gradually becomes insecure about his appearance without a shirt on or even in workout clothing. They begin to avoid social situations in which their chest appearance is obvious (the gym, the pool, pickup games), and sometimes come to avoid sporting activity of any kind. This can potentially damage their psycho-social development and has a profoundly negative effect on their sense of well-being and quality of life.
 
There are many theories as to why there has been such a dramatic increase in the incidence of gynecomastia over the last few decades. Some believe it is because of the increase in pro-estrogenic hormones and chemical compounds such as antibiotics in meat and dairy products, and/or chemicals that we are exposed to in the environment (building materials, flame retardants, pesticides, etc). No one can be absolutely certain what has caused the significant increase in gynecomastia, but I see enough gynecomastia patients with a normal body weight to know for certain that it is not simply due to the rising incidence of obesity.
 
Gynecomastia patients are among the happiest with their results. They are not only pleased with the enhancement of their personal appearance after surgery, but also become better integrated socially. The outcome of surgery can be truly life-changing, with young men immediately more socially confident and more socially active.

If you or your son are interested in gynecomastia surgery, call 203.790.5700 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Baroody!