This story is based on an interview with Andrew Tagliarino, 34, a hospital administrator in Long Island, New York. It has been edited for length and clarity. I was in my teens when someone made a comment that completely baffled me. They told me I would be “prettier” if I were thinner. It was cruel,
This story is based on an interview with Andrew Tagliarino, 34, a hospital administrator in Long Island, New York. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I was in my teens when someone made a comment that completely baffled me. They told me I would be “prettier” if I were thinner.
It was cruel, but it pushed me to lose a total of 80 pounds, going from 250 pounds, which was too heavy for my 6-foot height, to 170.
I was addicted to food
Food had long been an addiction and I had been bullied about my weight for as long as I could remember. They attacked me because I couldn’t play sports as well as other kids.
When the coaches handed out ice hockey and baseball uniforms, I had to wait longer to receive my order because I needed a larger size than the others.
As I grew older, I became particularly aware of enlarged breast tissue, caused by a hormonal imbalance.
Tagliarino feels more confident after losing weight and undergoing plastic surgery to remove breast tissue. Courtesy of Andrés Tagliarino
It continued to be a problem after I lost weight in my 20s. I did intermittent fasting combined with exercise, including kickboxing, but my chest stayed the same.
I always wore a tank top with a swimsuit on the beach. I bought shirts with letters or prints on purpose as camouflage.
Plastic surgery had been on my mind for years, but I was worried about anesthesia. However, as I approached my 30th birthday in the spring of 2023, I decided to move on.
The surgery cost $7,000
I researched the procedure online, a specialized form of fat removal known as gynecomastia liposuction. My surgeon, Dr. Claudia Kim of New York City, said I was an ideal candidate for liposuction and skin tightening, which cost me $7,000.
They took about 90 minutes to complete. I woke up determined to follow the aftercare instructions, including wearing a compression vest for two months.
Tagliarino is happy to wear tighter tops now that she has had surgery. Courtesy of Andrés Tagliarino
The results were surprising and natural. I had never looked down and seen a flat chest before. I was finally able to wear solid colored shirts without worrying about my appearance.
A year later, I spent another $7,000 when Dr. Kim performed liposuction on my obliques and flanks. These were another stubborn fat spots that my exercise program couldn’t seem to get rid of.
My confidence has skyrocketed
I feel like a completely new person. My confidence has gone from a base five to a 10. I wear tighter tops and go bare-chested when I’m at the beach with my wife and 3-year-old son.
There is a certain stigma about men undergoing cosmetic surgery, but it is fading. I’m happy to share my journey if it helps other guys deal with their body concerns.