Work it out

No new year would be complete without a resolution to get fitter.

There are very few who haven’t vowed to lose weight and get in shape for the year ahead, but as Ireland has one of the fastest growing rates of obesity in the world, a number of people are turning to cosmetic surgery to help shed a few inches.

And although this sort of treatment has traditionally been associated with women, figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons show a significant increase in male patients with the number of ‘moob jobs’ looking set to double within the next five years.

Consultant plastic surgeon Dr Patricia Eadie says gynaecomastia, (enlarged male breasts), is a common problem which affects some men from their early teens and while she hasn’t seen an increase in demand for this sort of surgery, she says people are being more open about it.

“Gynaecomastia (moobs) has always been part of a plastic surgeon’s practice and in some cases we see them as young as 12 or 13,” she says. “I don’t think there has been a particular increase in Ireland lately but perhaps there is more willingness to talk about it.

“It can be very distressing for some, especially those with large breasts, which may be quite saggy, as it stops them from activities such as sport or going to beach. Even those with small breasts can be very self-conscious.”

The surgeon says the complexity of surgery largely depends on the severity of the problem.

“The operation varies depending on the breast size and the amount of skin laxity and whether there is more fat than actual breast or glandular tissue,” she says.

“In some cases, liposuction alone may solve the problem whereas others will require open surgery. Generally the incision is kept at the junction of the nipple and areolar complex and so is not visible afterwards, unless there is significant excess skin when occasionally, scars on the chest wall may be necessary.

“These procedures may be done in public hospitals if deemed significant and sometimes can be covered by health insurance. A rough estimate of the cost of surgery would be between €4,500 and €6,000.”

But personal trainer and fitness expert Karl Henry says surgery should be a last resort when it comes to getting rid of weight-related ‘moobs’ and a good exercise regime could make a big difference in itself.

“With changes in diet and hard-weights based training, there can be a drastic improvement in the shape and look of the man boobs,” he says. “Exercise will make a huge difference to the shape of the tissue, and improve the confidence of the man.”

* For more fitness advice visit www.karlhenry.ie