Most people are fairly familiar with the cosmetic procedures of female breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction surgeries, as they have become part of popular culture in America in recent decades. Less talked about, though commonly requested and performed, is male breast reduction surgery for men who suffer from a condition called gynecomastia, a condition in males that leads to overdeveloped or female-looking breasts. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jules Walters, with locations in New Orleans and Metairie, LA, has helped countless gynecomastia patients restore their confidence and achieve their ideal contour through male breast reduction.
Causes of Gynecomastia
It is a common misconception that enlarged male breasts are simply a symptom of being overweight. While this can be a contributing factor, there are several additional scientific and medical explanations for why a man may suffer from gynecomastia. These include:
- Hormonal conditions: The vast majority of New Orleans, LA male breast reduction surgeries are requested due to a hormonal imbalance which causes gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts. An imbalance between testosterone and estrogen is the most common hormonal cause of the condition and can occur at various stages in a man’s life. Some newborn babies are born with enlarged breasts due to the estrogen they received from the mother while inside the womb, though this resolves quickly. During puberty, adolescent males can experience gynecomastia symptoms, though this is also usually only temporary.
- Obesity: As mentioned above, men who are overweight commonly have enlarged male breasts and excess fat and tissue in the chest area overall. To further complicate things, men who undergo significant weight loss can find that they may still be left with enlarged male breasts and/or excess skin in the breast area.
- Medical conditions: Various ailments and conditions – including liver disease, hyperthyroidism, and kidney failure – can play a role in a man developing enlarged breasts.
- Prescription medications: Many common prescriptions carry the risk of adverse side effects including gynecomastia. Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia), Valium, Flagyl, and hCG are just a few of the drugs known to cause enlarged male breasts in some patients. Anabolic steroids, certain “street drugs,” and alcohol can also contribute to the development of gynecomastia.
With so many different causes and inciting factors, it is easy to see why millions of men are affected by gynecomastia, making male breast reduction surgery one of the top 10 most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures nationwide. If you think male breast reduction surgery by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Walters at his New Orleans or Metairie, LA location, may be right for you, it is important to consider the procedure and recovery details carefully. Dr. Walters details the procedure and its results below.
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