Learn About the Simon Grading Scale for Gynecomastia Surgery in Apgujeong

Among men, there may be those who feel self-conscious and unconsciously shrink away when wearing clothes or using facilities such as bathhouses because their chests have developed in a feminine way. Gynecomastia refers to the condition in which a man's chest develops with a protruding, female-like appearance. Since men also have glandular tissue, hormonal changes can cause the glandular tissue to develop, and a man's chest can become larger like a woman's.

The problem is that this can be a major source of stress for men. If there is no change even after exercising with a focus on the chest and going on a diet, it may be worth suspecting gynecomastia that requires surgery. Gynecomastia can be classified according to degree using the Simon grading scale. Today, we will look at the self-diagnosis method for gynecomastia at Seojin Plastic Surgery Clinic, an Apgujeong gynecomastia surgery clinic, and explain the Simon grading scale for gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia Self-Diagnosis CHECK

What is commonly called gynecomastia is actually called "male breast enlargement."

As the name suggests, it refers to a symptom in which the chest protrudes like a woman's. People often think of cases where there is a lot of body fat and the chest is fleshy, but even if a person is not overweight, if the glandular tissue has abnormally developed due to hormonal changes and the chest has become larger, it also falls under "male breast enlargement."

In particular, in cases of gynecomastia caused by the development of glandular tissue, it is difficult to improve with dieting or exercise unless Apgujeong gynecomastia surgery is performed. If many of the following self-diagnosis items apply, you may suspect gynecomastia that requires treatment.

✅ Feeling reluctant to wear thin clothes because of a protruding chest

✅ A hard glandular tissue is felt around the nipples

✅ Only one side of the chest has developed, creating asymmetry

✅ The chest has a round shape that can be grasped by hand

✅ The nipples and areolas are more abnormal than normal

✅ Even after losing weight, the chest fat does not go away

✅ A thin body type, but there is fat only in the chest

What the Simon Grading Scale Is

So far, we have looked at self-diagnosis for gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is classified into four grades according to the degree of chest development. The classification system is called the "Simon grading scale."

The Simon grade is a grading system that classifies gynecomastia into four grades according to the degree of chest development, and it serves as the 기준 for health insurance coverage. The actual standard for health insurance coverage includes three grades: 2-a, 2-b, and 3, which correspond to Simon grade 2a or higher. The degree of chest development by grade is as follows.

• Simon Grade I: A stage in which breast enlargement is limited to the areola; this is the mildest stage. It is a stage in which the breasts are only slightly enlarged.

• Simon Grade IIa: Breast enlargement extends beyond the areola. It is moderate breast enlargement, but there is no skin sagging.

• Simon Grade IIb: The degree of breast enlargement is more severe than Grade IIa and is accompanied by skin sagging.

• Simon Grade III: A stage in which marked breast enlargement and skin sagging are observed. It is a state in which chest drooping accompanies severe breast enlargement.

Need to Check the Glandular Tissue Condition with a Breast Ultrasound Exam

So far, we have looked at the classification according to the Simon grading scale. The external condition is assessed by the medical staff’s visual examination and scored according to the Simon grading scale, while the internal condition is confirmed by checking the glandular tissue through a breast ultrasound exam to finalize the diagnosis of gynecomastia.

In the Simon grading system, to be eligible for health insurance coverage, the glandular tissue that has excessively developed must be at least 2 cm in a breast ultrasound exam for Grade 2a or higher.

To determine whether it is gynecomastia requiring treatment, visible diagnosis is important, but for a more precise diagnosis, a breast ultrasound exam is necessary. This is because the ultrasound can confirm whether there is glandular tissue proliferation and determine whether it is true gynecomastia.

In addition, the treatment method for gynecomastia appropriate for each individual may vary depending on the test results. Also, as the Simon grade increases, not only the surgical method but also post-surgery skin elasticity management may differ. Therefore, if self-diagnosis suggests Apgujeong gynecomastia surgery is needed, it is advisable to first receive a detailed diagnosis.

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