Reel Urban News Exclusive :
Gynecomastia, the excessive development of breast tissue in men, has come out of the shadows in recent years. Gynecomastia is derived from the Greek gynec, or feminine and mastos, or breasts. Those with the medical condition, which affects adolescent boys, pre-teens and young men, rarely discussed it in public. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Babak Dadvand, M.D., a leader in the field of gynecomastia corrective surgery, recently spoke with Reel Urban News about the condition.
“There are some studies that show upwards of 50 to 60 percent of boys going through puberty exhibit some form of breast growth or gynecomastia,” says Dr. Dadvand.
Besides its physical toll, Dr. Dadvand says that gynecomastia also exacts a mental stigma for those with the condition. “Unlike women with large breasts who can have physical symptoms, neck pain and back pain, men with larger breasts don’t have that. Men have a lot of psychological and self-esteem issues.”
According to Dr. Dadvand, Facebook has contributed significantly to the increase in plastic surgery among men. “Social media has really raised the awareness in society as far as the acceptability of plastic surgery. In 2007 when the smartphone became popular, being able to have the world in your hand and at your fingertips and being able to go on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and see people having procedures has made all of this more accessible.”
In his plastic surgery practice, Dr. Dadvand is sensitive to the needs of the transgender community as well. The surgeon writes on his site www.drdadvandplasticsurgery.com that being a transgender woman means going through an emotional, spiritual, and physical journey. Male-to-female (MTF) surgery is one of the most significant physical transformations. This is a surgery designed to transform the appearance of a male chest to feminine breasts.
“The transgender community, I have a close affinity for. These patients are some of the most satisfied patients and excited patients after their surgery. I specialize not only in gynecomastia but also transgender surgery, above the waist. Female-to-male as well as male-to-female. These patients have remarkable stories of perseverance.”
