While surgery to remove breast tissue was most recently in the news with Angelina Jolie’s attempt to limit her risk for cancer, adolescent males who have taken the atypical antipsychotic drug Risperdal may also require partial mastectomies to remediate side effects caused by the drug, which can cause gynecomastia or “man boobs.”

The medication is now approved for usage in young children who have bipolar disorder or issues with autism. However, it was first advertised by drug maker Johnson & Johnson for adolescents prior to approval for that cause. One problem that arises is an imbalance in hormones at a time when boys see a chemical change as part of their growth. Risperdal side effects can lead to feminine features including gynecomastia, or increases in breast tissue. For some, gynecomastia surgery is the only option.

Partial mastectomy is an elective surgery during which doctors remove the fatty tissue through the nipple, similar to breast reductions for women suffering from back pain. However, gynecomastia patients face risks when they undergo these procedures. Nerve damage is a common feature of many surgeries depending on the incision site and the chest can remain out of balance in terms of muscle tissue even after the repair work is done.

The worst is that most health insurance companies will not cover gynecomastia surgery even though they can eliminate potential peer ridicule in middle school and high school, according to Risperdal lawsuit attorneys. Instead, young men may have to shell out thousands of dollars or deal with misshapen breasts: in many cases, the increase in tissue is uneven.

Even with these surgeries, however, other Risperdal side effects can still cause problems, including weight gain of tens of pounds or more due to those same hormonal issues, as well as male lactation regardless of the size of the breasts.