Is Your Son Being Teased About “Man Boobs”?

Being a parent has many challenges. One of the most painful challenges a parent can endure is watching their child in emotional pain as a result of bullying and teasing. A great deal of attention has been placed in the media on children being teased and bullied via the Internet. Social media has certainly made bullying and teasing much easier and given it much greater reach. The focus is often placed upon girls being teased because it is believed by many that girls are more emotional and that the impact is greater than boys. However; boys, especially teenage boys can be self-conscious about their bodies as they change with age. For some, excessive breast tissue can become evident as they enter puberty. While in some cases this may be accompanied with being overweight or obese this is not always the case. Even boys who are at or near their ideal body weight can suffer from excess breast tissue which is known as gynecomastia. The impact of this excessive breast tissue which has slang terms including “man boobs”or” moobs “is rarely painful physically however emotionally it can be devastating. As a parent, you may ponder whether seeking the advice of a plastic surgeon to correct this condition is a good idea. Perhaps you may think that fixing the source of bullying using plastic surgery sends the wrong message to your child. The reality is that children who are teased and bullied often have a difficult time achieving success in school and outside school activities because they are self-conscious and less likely to take the steps necessary to be outgoing and involved. If your child is also overweight this condition could contribute to his lack of willingness and motivation to exercise. Also, depression and loneliness can lead to overeating which also contributes to obesity. Dr. Seify encourages parents to consult with him to determine if their son is a candidate for gynecomastia surgery. In the initial consultation Dr. Seify will determine if the child is truly suffering from excessive breast tissue or if the primary source is excessive fat on the chest. It is important for parents to understand that liposuction of the chest alone will not improve the appearance of excessive breast tissue. In many cases it can cause the breast tissue to be even more of visible if the glandular tissue is not removed and only liposuction is performed. For this reason, it is critical that parents seek the advice of a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Seify who is experienced in treating gynecomastia patients. In some cases, although rare, Dr. Seify may be able to submit the proper documentation for parents to obtain insurance coverage for the procedure. Parents who are considering gynecomastia surgery for their sons should consider the possibility of surgery early in the summer so that their son will be healed and ready to enjoy the latter part of summer and a new beginning to the next school year. Parents who are considering gynecomastia surgery for their sons are encouraged to contact Dr. Seify’s office and schedule a consultation.