[Gynecomastia]Scenes from a Gynecomastia Consultation Room (Part 1): How Parents Can Approach Their Son's Hidden Concerns
Hello, this is Dr. Jihoon Moon
from Lesarts Plastic Surgery.
For many men,
concerns about their chest
can become a deeply personal burden
that is difficult to talk about openly.
The sense of insecurity
that begins during adolescence,
and the frustration of not being able
to comfortably wear a thin T-shirt
even in the middle of summer,
are experiences that are hard
to fully understand
unless one has gone through them.
After carrying these concerns
for many years,
some patients finally gather the courage
to visit a clinic,
accompanied not alone,
but by their parents.
Today,
I would like to share a story
about these important companions
who walk through our consultation room doors.
This first chapter focuses on
the journey taken together
by parents and their sons.
1. “See? I Told You I Was Right.” A Son’s Long-Held Silent Struggle
Gynecomastia Symptoms and Concerns in Teenagers and Young Adults – Dr. Jihoon Moon | Lesarts Plastic Surgery
One of the most common scenes
we encounter in the consultation room
is a grown son visiting the clinic
together with his parents.
In reality,
reaching this point often represents
a long and difficult journey
for the son himself.
As boys go through puberty
and experience bodily changes,
the development of Gynecomastia
can become a significant source
of emotional distress.
They may wear thick undershirts
beneath their school uniforms,
or spend physical education classes
during the summer months
with hunched shoulders
and a guarded posture.
Many live with constant anxiety,
worrying that their friends
might notice or make fun of them.
After years of silently struggling
and staring into the mirror alone,
some finally gather the courage
to speak with their parents.
“Mom, Dad,
I think there might be something
wrong with my chest.
I’d like to visit a hospital
and have it checked.”
The initial response from parents
is often quite similar.
“You’re just gaining weight.”
“It’ll go away once you join
the military and start exercising.”
These concerns are frequently dismissed,
partly because it is difficult
for parents to accept
that their child may have
a medical condition,
and partly because Gynecomastia
is often assumed to be
a temporary phase of adolescence.
However,
after persistent persuasion
from their son,
parents eventually visit the clinic,
where a physical examination
and ultrasound evaluation
are performed.
The atmosphere in the consultation room
tends to change dramatically
when enlarged glandular tissue
appears clearly on the monitor.
Rather,
it reflects a deep sense of relief,
as if to say,
“Please understand now
that this wasn’t caused
by laziness or weight gain,
but was a genuine medical condition
that deserved attention and treatment.”
2. Why Mothers Accompany Their Sons Most Often And the Quiet but Powerful Presence of Fathers
Among parents accompanying their sons
to Gynecomastia consultations,
mothers are by far
the most common companions.
This is likely because mothers
are often the first to notice
subtle emotional changes,
differences in clothing fit,
and shifts in daily habits.
Only after hearing
an accurate medical diagnosis
in the consultation room
do many mothers finally understand
why their sons had spent years
hunching their shoulders
or becoming unusually sensitive
whenever getting dressed.
Occasionally,
some sons arrive accompanied
by their fathers.
The atmosphere created
by a father and son
is often quite different
from that of a mother and son.
From the waiting room
to the consultation room,
the two men usually exchange
very few words,
sharing a quiet
and steady silence.
When first hearing
about his son’s concerns,
a father may have responded,
“You’re a young man.
Why worry about something like that?”
Yet inwardly,
he remained concerned enough
to take the wheel himself
and accompany his son
to the clinic.
During the consultation,
fathers often sit
with their arms folded,
listening carefully
and nodding thoughtfully
as the physician explains.
They tend to ask practical
and important questions such as,
“Will surgery truly improve it?”
or
“When can he return
to normal daily activities?”
Through these questions,
they reveal themselves
not only as protective parents,
but also as experienced guides
supporting their sons
through an important stage of life.
3. Gynecomastia and Family History: The Moment Fathers Quietly Nod in Understanding
Family History and Genetic Predisposition in Gynecomastia – Dr. Jihoon Moon | Lesarts Plastic Surgery
In consultations attended
by both fathers and sons,
another interesting aspect
often becomes apparent.
It is the role of
genetic predisposition
and family history
in Gynecomastia.
While reviewing
their son’s ultrasound findings
and listening to the physician,
some fathers suddenly become thoughtful,
subtly touch their own chest,
or quietly nod in understanding.
This is often because
they themselves experienced
similar concerns in their youth,
or currently share
comparable body characteristics.
In the past,
many simply assumed,
“It’s probably just
age-related sagging,”
or,
“I’ve always been someone
who can’t lose chest fat.”
As a result,
these concerns were often
left unspoken
and accepted as normal.
However,
through their son’s evaluation,
they come to understand
that the issue is not merely
an accumulation of fat,
but rather a medical condition
related to constitutional factors
and the presence of
Glandular Breast Tissue.
At that moment,
many fathers quietly say,
“Ah, so that’s why.”
Long-standing questions
about their own bodies
are finally answered.
This understanding
of family history
often becomes an opportunity
for parents to better accept,
understand,
and empathize
with their son’s experience.
4. The Greatest Support Parents Can Offer Their Son
Gynecomastia Evaluation and Treatment – Dr. Jihoon Moon | Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Gynecomastia is more than
a simple change in appearance.
For adolescent and young adult males,
it can become a condition
that causes significant emotional distress,
social withdrawal,
and loss of confidence.
It is fundamentally a problem
of Glandular Breast Tissue,
which cannot be resolved
through weight loss
or exercise alone.
When a son gathers the courage
to share his concerns,
and when a diagnosis
is finally confirmed,
the most important role
parents can play
is to provide accurate understanding
and unwavering support.
“You must have suffered a lot
keeping this to yourself.
Now that we know the cause,
let’s work through this together.”
By listening to their son’s concerns,
taking them seriously,
and accompanying him
to the clinic,
parents have already fulfilled
one of the most meaningful roles
they can play.
Beyond surgical treatment itself,
having the opportunity
to openly discuss
a long-hidden concern
and seek solutions together
with one’s parents
can become the first step
toward restoring
a son’s diminished self-esteem.
In the next installment,
we will explore consultation cases
involving girlfriends and spouses,
focusing on how to provide support
without hurting a man’s pride,
and discussing practical etiquette
for accompanying loved ones
to the consultation room.
