Male Breast Reduction Surgery Orange County & Bakersfield, CA

Gynecomastia is the medical term for excess male breast tissue. The meaning of this word comes from a Greek term meaning “womanlike breasts.” There are two types of gynecomastia. One is often called pseudo gynecomastia, or “man boobs,” because it’s just excess skin and fatty tissue. The other type of gynecomastia is caused by extra breast or glandular tissue. The condition can be present in one or both breasts, known as unilateral or bilateral gynecomastia. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, between 50 to 65% of men have excess localized fat and/or excess glandular tissue either unilaterally or bilaterally.

Gynecomastia can affect men of all sizes and ages. Most commonly, it is the result of genetics, weight gain, hormone fluctuations, medications, and other health conditions. 

Hormonal Changes

Gynecomastia most commonly results from decreasing levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, which diminishes with advancing age. Both the decrease in testosterone and the increase of estrogen in a male body at any point in development can lead to enlarged breasts. Estrogen is almost exclusively thought of as a “female hormone,” but men have it too. When the delicate balance of testosterone and estrogen becomes disrupted during puberty or old age, for example, men may develop unwanted breast tissue. 

Medications

Sometimes, gynecomastia may also be associated with the intake of certain prescription medications such as:

• Proscar, Propecia, Aldactone, and Carospir which commonly treat prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate.
• AIDS medications, especially Sustiva, due to their estrogen-like properties.
• ADHD, anxiety, and depression medications which can lead to general weight gain and hormonal disruptions.
• Antibiotics and anabolic steroids
• Chemotherapy as a treatment for any type of cancer
• Tagamet HB which is an ulcer medication
• Lanoxin and other calcium channel blockers which typically treat heart conditions
• Reglan, which is a stomach emptying medication

Health Conditions

Male breasts can also be caused by or associated with several different health conditions, including:

• Hypogonadism is a condition where the gonads (the testes or the ovaries) produce little to no sex hormones. Both men and women can suffer from this condition. Sufferers may experience low or nonexistent sex drive, delayed puberty, reduced fertility, and of course, male breast tissue.
• Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid produces too much thyroxine. Both men and women can suffer from this condition. Common symptoms include anxiety, panic attacks, excessive hunger, weight fluctuations, excess sweating, and more. 
• Kidney Failure can cause men to develop gynecomastia due to dialysis treatment. Dialysis often causes hormone changes.
• Tumors in the gonads, adrenal glands, the thyroid, or the pituitary gland can lead to enlarged male breasts.
• Malnutrition can lead to gynecomastia as well. Most people believe that undereating only causes weight loss. This is often true, but everyone's bodies respond differently to starvation. Being malnourished is incredibly stressful on the body. Malnourished men can experience a massive drop in testosterone levels which can lead to excess skin in the chest area.
• Liver Failure can also lead to gynecomastia because of the changes in hormones.

Male breast reduction Orange County is recommended for patients who feel dissatisfied with their breast size and shape following the completion of breast development. However, gynecomastia patients who are seeking cosmetic surgery to improve their breast appearance should first consider clinical evaluation for the cause of their breast enlargement.

The best candidates for this surgery are those who are in good physical and mental health. Younger men who have good skin elasticity will achieve the best results from male breast reduction surgery and will require less extensive surgical correction. Severely overweight men are encouraged to first pursue diet and exercise before resorting to male breast reduction surgery. 

Male breast reduction must be carefully individualized to each patient's needs. It’s important to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Daneshmand first so he can determine whether or not this is the best gynecomastia treatment for you.

The average cost of gynecomastia surgery varies significantly due to multiple different cost factors. These factors include the following:

• Location - The cost of living in the area where the surgery is performed has a significant impact on the price of a breast reduction, as it does with most services and products provided in the region. 
• Surgeon’s Fee - The fee for each surgeon also varies on the basis of their skill, experience, and reputation in that field. 
• Hospital or Surgical Facility Costs - The cost of the hospital or surgical facility where the procedure takes place may vary depending on the quality of facilities, technology, services, and staff provided. 
• Anesthesia Cost - The anesthesiologist may charge a fee according to their experience and qualifications.
• Other Expenses - Other expenses that may affect the cost of the surgery include medical tests, prescriptions for medications, and post-surgery essentials such as a compression garment.

Most health insurance providers consider gynecomastia surgery to be non-essential, meaning they won’t cover it as part of your health care plan. However, every policy is different and it is certainly possible that your surgery will be partly or fully covered. 

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average price for a gynecomastia procedure in 2020 was approximately $4,239. This figure is only part of the price, as it does not include things like anesthesia costs, facility costs, or other related expenses. Contact our office to get a better estimate of the entire price.