Images are courtesy of Dr. Frank Lista of The Plastic Surgery Clinic.

When we think of a plastic surgery patient, one often thinks of a woman. But, as some plastic surgeons are now finding, this is not always the case. While they may not be as comfortable speaking about it as women are, men are looking at plastic surgery options to improve their appearance as well.

"It is a complete myth that only women care about their appearance; men are also choosing cosmetic surgery for the same reasons," says Dr. Frank Lista, renowned plastic surgeon and founder of The Plastic Surgery Clinic.

One of the most popular plastic surgeries requested by men is gynecomastia, or male breast reduction.

Dr. Lista, who performs three gynecomastia surgeries nearly each week, says there are several explanations for this condition. Explanations include excessive marijuana use, steroid use, hormonal imbalance and the most frustrating of all--idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.

Dr. Lista uses one of the most advanced procedures of treating gynecomastia. It is called Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL), a revolutionary technique, which targets fat deposits. The process involves a narrow tube, inserted through a tiny incision to vacuum the fat layer with little force to reduce bruising and lessen healing time. Obvious scarring is avoided as Dr. Lista makes an inconspicuous incision - usually on the outside area of the chest, leaving no tell-tale signs behind. From this remote location, he is able to remove fatty and glandular tissue, leaving behind a small 3mm mark similar to a scar from a common mole removal.

For Charles Huang, a University of Toronto Commerce student, the solution was plastic surgery. "I didn't feel comfortable wearing a t-shirt or going to the beach," he explains. "Some men can live with this condition, but I just didn't feel right."

Huang's surgery was not performed using the new PAL technique or by Dr. Lista, however, he says he is happy with the results so far. In fact, when we spoke, he was wearing a cut-off sleeve t-shirt. "I could never have worn this before my surgery, I would have never felt comfortable," he explains.

Now Huang wants to help other men who are in a similar situation as he was. In fact, he has filmed a short documentary that can be viewed online at www.spicyedition.com/gyn entitled 'Me v. My breast.' He uses both real and performed interviews to get his message across.

"Me vs. My Breast is a short self financed documentary produced by myself," writes Huang of his documentary. "The goal of this film is to tell the hardship of living with gynecomastia through the hearts and mind of those men."

For more information on gynecomastia, visit www.spicyedition.com/gyn or www.gynecomastia.org.