Gynaecomastia – Is It The Breast Solution?

Vivaan’s Story: From Cricket Star to Struggling with Gynaecomastia

Read one man’s story to understand how gynaecomastia can affect confidence — and how surgery can be life-changing.

Vivaan’s Story
What Is Gynaecomastia?
Causes of Gynaecomastia
The Emotional Impact
Gynaecomastia Surgery: The Permanent Solution
Conclusion
FAQs

Vivaan’s Story: From Cricket Star to Struggling

It was the summer of 2019. Vivaan, the star batsman of Jai Hind College’s cricket team, dreamed of following in his idol Virat Kohli’s footsteps. At 5′11″ with a lean, athletic build, he was already popular on campus.

After a big inter-collegiate win, a rival captain sneered, “Want me to buy you a bra, brother?” pointing at Vivaan’s enlarged chest. Laughter followed, and his confidence collapsed.

His chest hadn’t always looked this way — it had begun to enlarge after he started using anabolic steroids to build muscle faster.

What Is Gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is the enlargement of breast glandular tissue in males, often due to hormonal imbalance. It can affect one or both sides and is different from simple fat accumulation.

Causes of Gynaecomastia

In Vivaan’s case, anabolic steroids disrupted hormone levels, raising oestrogen relative to testosterone and stimulating breast tissue growth.

Other common causes include:

Hormonal changes during puberty or ageing
Medications (e.g., anti-androgens, certain antidepressants)
Underlying health conditions (e.g., liver disease, tumours)
Substance use (e.g., alcohol, marijuana)

The Emotional Impact of Gynaecomastia

Beyond the physical change, gynaecomastia can deeply affect mental well-being. Like many men, Vivaan began avoiding social events and felt anxious and self-conscious — common experiences that can contribute to low self-esteem and depression.

Gynaecomastia Surgery: The Permanent Solution

When gynaecomastia is driven by hormones or steroid use, diet and exercise alone typically won’t reverse the gland growth. Surgery is the only permanent solution.

Procedure overview: Excess glandular tissue and fat are removed using liposuction and surgical excision through small, discreet incisions. It’s minimally invasive with a relatively short recovery, and results can be transformative.

Conclusion

Gynaecomastia affects far more than appearance — it can shape confidence, social life, and aspirations. The good news is that surgery offers a safe, lasting solution. After his procedure, Vivaan’s confidence returned, and he stepped back onto the field with pride.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can gynaecomastia go away on its own?

Ans. Sometimes — especially during puberty. Persistent gynaecomastia related to steroids, medicines, or medical issues usually requires surgery.

Q2. Is gynaecomastia surgery painful?

Ans. The procedure is performed under anaesthesia, so there’s no pain during surgery. Mild soreness or swelling afterward is common and manageable with medication.

Q3. How long is the recovery period?

Ans. Many patients resume light activities within a week and return to full exercise in 4–6 weeks, depending on healing and surgeon guidance.

Q4. Are the results permanent?

Ans. Yes, results are typically permanent provided the underlying trigger (e.g., steroid use) is avoided and a stable weight is maintained.

Q5. Will there be visible scars?

Ans. Incisions are small and placed discreetly around the chest. With proper care, scars usually fade and become minimally noticeable over time.