Why More Men Are Having Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Did you know one of the fastest growing procedures in the U.S. is breast reduction surgery? But if your mind went to women, think again. According to Allure, male breast surgery has seen a 36% increase since 2010—and it’s only getting more popular as the taboo around plastic surgery slowly drops away.
What is gynecomastia?
It is estimated that up to 50% of men live with enlarged breast tissue at some point in their lifetime. And while “moobs” or man boobs are often the butt-end of a joke, gynecomastia is not a laughing matter for those experiencing it. Enlarged male breast tissue is often not only physically uncomfortable, it can also lead to low self-esteem and anxiety in men.
But what causes gynecomastia? Like most conditions, there isn’t one culprit causing some men to develop more breast tissue than others, but there are some men who are more susceptible to developing it. Here’s why:
- It could be a hormonal imbalance. Men who have an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone can develop larger mammary glands than others. This could be caused by medications, drug usage, genetics, or an underlying health condition.
- It could be your age. When hormones are raging during adolescence, some young men will experience what is often a temporary increase in breast tissue. This typically goes away after a few years, but lasts into adulthood for some men. Additionally, men can develop gynecomastia after middle age peaks and when testosterone production begins to naturally slow.
- It could be drug usage. Excessive intake of alcohol, heroin, amphetamines, or marijuana can contribute to larger breast tissue as well.
More and more men are weighing their options
Gynecomastia isn’t a new condition, so why are we seeing the number of male breast reductions performed increase? That’s a two-fold answer. First, as more men learn about gynecomastia, they begin to understand that they aren’t alone and that they don’t have to live with it. Additionally, as cosmetic surgery becomes more common—with new techniques reducing invasiveness and lessening downtime, and financing options making procedures more affordable—men who are suffering with gynecomastia are jumping at the chance for improvement.
Male breast reduction is a relatively straightforward procedure that usually involves some combination of liposuction and excision of breast tissue. An experienced cosmetic surgeon can place the small incisions as inconspicuously as possible so that resulting scars are concealed in the natural folds of the body. For men who have poor skin elasticity or have experienced significant weight gain or loss, the male equivalent of a breast lift may also be required to remove excess skin that resulted from overdevelopment.
While patients will need a few days of downtime, most men are able to return to work within the first week, depending on how much breast tissue was removed. Strenuous activity and chest exercises are out of the question for at least three weeks, but 95% of men on RealSelf say the procedure is absolutely worth it in the end.
In Rancho Cucamonga? We’ve helped many men just like you
If you live with enlarged breasts and are tired of feeling self-conscious, we would love to talk with you about your options for reducing the size of your breasts. Our Rancho Cucamonga male breast reduction background is extensive, and our experienced cosmetic surgeons have helped changed the lives of many men living with this condition. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
