Here is a breakdown of the different grades, how gyno affects your self-esteem, and what can be done to get you ready for your NS journey in full confidence.
January 23, 2026
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Was the first thing you did when you received your Full-time National Service (NS) enlistment letter to look down at your chest?
If you have been working out daily to lose those man boobs you are embarrassed and worried about, we are sorry to share that they won't go away with exercise or diet.
Medically known as gynecomastia, these enlarged male breasts can look even MORE prominent as you lose weight.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the different grades, how gynecomastia affects your self-esteem, and what you can do to get ready for your NS journey with complete confidence.
Enlarged Male Breasts: Gynecomastia at a glance
Gynecomastia is a common breast lesion that accounts for more than 65% of male breast disorders.
It comprises enlarged male glands and, in some, excess chest fat as well as puffy nipples.
The leading cause of gynecomastia is hormonal imbalances, such as:
- increased estrogen activity
- decreased testosterone activity
- use of certain types of prescribed medications
- abuse of anabolic steroids
Gynecomastia is usually:
- bilateral (affects both sides of the breasts)
- unilateral (affects only one side), causing an obvious asymmetrical appearance.
Gynecomastia can be further classified into:
- True gynecomastia, where only glandular tissue is the cause
- Mixed gynecomastia, where both overdeveloped glands and excess fat are involved.
How to self-check for gynecomastia DIY
There are self-evaluation methods you can use to determine what you are facing.
Pinch test
You might be suffering from gynecomastia if you can feel a tender, firm, and mobile disc-like mound of tissue when pressure is applied to your breasts.
Visual inspection
Another obvious sign is when the affected area resembles a female's breasts. Other symptoms of gynecomastia may also include swelling, pain or soreness.
Remember that you can only be 100% sure of your diagnosis by undergoing a proper, thorough physical examination by a doctor experienced in treating gynecomastia.
Symptoms of Gynecomastia In Teenagers and Adult Males
According to the National Institutes of Health, 50% to 60% of adolescent males suffer from gynecomastia.
Nearly 65% of men between 27 and 92 years old had some degree of gynecomastia.
The reasons for gynecomastia in adolescents and adults are highly diverse, even though the symptoms are comparable.
The symptoms of gynecomastia in younger people are usually caused by higher-than-normal estrogen levels in the body due to puberty. Although the condition often regresses over time, it does not always.
Adult gynecomastia is usually associated with increasing age due to progressive testicular hypofunction and increased weight and body fat.
What is the grading scale of your gynecomastia?
A classification from Simon, Hoffman and Kahn was adopted, known as the "Gynecomastia Scale."
This scale enables gynecomastia doctors to standardise discussions of issues and treatment.
Gynecomastia (True and Mixed) is universally classified into Grade I, II, III, and IV according to the severity of the breast tissue enlargement.
How does gynecomastia affect your body confidence during NS?
The size of an enlarged male breast can go up to a C- or D-cup size. An oversized nipple-areola complex (puffy nipples) can appear distorted and look feminine.
When the gynecomastia sufferer wears a form-fitting shirt, the breasts look like female breasts with some droopiness and loose skin.
Body dissatisfaction has resulted in a high percentage of males with:
- extremely low self-confidence
- anti-social behaviour
- poor mental health and wellbeing
Don't be fooled by fake remedies
Because men are more inclined to keep their feelings and insecurities to themselves, they tend to take matters into their own hands.
The pills or lotions that promise to reduce the size of your gynecomastia, which you found online, are nothing but a gimmick.
Nothing you do, eat, or apply can reverse the enlargement of your breast glands; neither can fat freezing nor low-energy laser, except for surgical intervention in the form of gynecomastia surgery.
Treating gynecomastia with proven solution, gynecomastia surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is considered the optimal treatment, offering immediate improvement in both cosmetic and symptomatic outcomes.
Dr Ivan Puah is an MOH-accredited liposuction doctor in Singapore with over two decades of experience:
- Operated on patients with varying degrees of gynecomastia
- Treated those from diverse demographics in Singapore
- Has a broad patient portfolio, including those who have travelled from overseas for this procedure.
- Obtained his Vaser® Body Sculpting surgical training in Colorado and Argentina
- Published a paper titled, Surgical Management of Gynecomastia in Asian Men - Clinical Experience and Considerations for Different Patient Types
- Received dedicated surgical training in gynecomastia surgery in San Francisco
His proprietary gyno surgery approach, known as the 360° GTD technique, is comprehensive and considers the patient's gland size, gynecomastia grade, degree of skin laxity, and chest shape.
During the gynecomastia surgery, he will also remove excess chest fat with his MDC-Sculpt® ️Lipo technique, and the beauty of this is that it also helps to stimulate collagen reproduction to firm areas with loose skin.
What results can you expect after gynecomastia surgery?
Expect to see a new, masculine chest you'll love within 3 to 6 months!
However, it takes two hands to clap to achieve optimal results for a flatter, more contoured, and more masculine chest!
You will need to adhere to the doctor's instructions, which include:
- Stop smoking
- Refraining from excessive alcohol consumption
- Avoiding the sun
- Avoid any heavy-duty exercise for a period of time
- Wearing the compression garment for 6 to 8 weeks helps alleviate tissue swelling and encourages skin retraction
- Go for regular Manual lymphatic drainage massage to minimise scar tissue formation, reduce swelling, and speed healing.
To maintain the results in the long term, you will need to break free from unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Gynecomastia surgery costs in Singapore
Cost for gynecomastia surgery vary by practice, and the factors that will determine the cost include:
- the doctor's experience
- complexity of the case
- type of anaesthesia used
- hospital or surgical facility costs
- medical tests such as blood tests
- post-surgery garments
- pre- and post-medication
- specimen (biopsy), etc.
NOTE: While costs are one of the variables you need to consider, the doctor's experience, the variety of gynecomastia cases he has treated, and your comfort level with him are just as necessary as the final cost of the surgery.
Gynecomastia surgery insurance and MediSave coverage in Singapore
To know if your gynecomastia surgery is claimable by insurance or MediSave, the doctor must first ascertain that your enlarged male breast is a medical condition and that it is medically necessary to remove it.
Let us take care of your enlarged male breast issues while you focus on doing your best during NS. Your renewed body confidence is just an appointment away.
