Today, you will most likely stumble into various media channels and the internet having their say about the ideal male body. While men were supposed to be strong in many cultures, strength is rarely related to the chad bod popularized today. 

One of the many results of this shift in cultural expectations is lowering self-esteem in men without such a body. Large breasts are a normal sign of a healthy female body—not a male body. Expectedly, the development of male breasts leads to significant self-image issues. 

What Are Male Enlarged Breasts?

Swollen or enlarged breasts in men usually occur because of imbalances in estrogen levels. The condition's clinical term is gynecomastia. It is physically harmless but—against the backdrop of chad bod fad—causes a psychological impact. 
 

Enlarged male breasts make it hard to fit into clothes you used to wear, change your appearance, and lower your self-esteem. While it causes lower self-confidence, the condition is much more common than most people know. 
 

Surveys say it happens to almost half of all newborn babies with large feminine chests, but they fade off in two to three weeks. However, the condition may return later in adolescence or after you turn fifty. 

Are You a Good Candidate for Gynecomastia?

• Health 

When you consult a plastic surgeon for this condition, they will first ask key questions. They will focus on determining your physical health before evaluating your mental health. Sometimes, enlarged breasts in men could result from other issues like kidney failure, liver disease, or obesity. The preferred way forward to this place is to resolve your health issues before the breast reduction procedure.
 

• Drugs and Medication

Enlarged breasts could result from the side effects of specific drugs or medication. You must carry a list of medications or drugs you are currently using. Some street drugs, valium, anabolic steroids, and alcohol are known instigators of enlarged breasts. For some men, slight changes in the dosage can partially reduce the size of their breasts. 
 

• Smoking

Before a doctor clears you for breast reduction surgery, they must know about your smoking habits. Smoking does not cause gynecomastia, but it will impact how your body heals after an injury or surgery. Tobacco smoke slows the body's healing speed and may result in infection due to unhealed scars.
 

• Weight

Because obesity is one of the primary reasons for the condition, they will check your BMI. If you are obese, they will likely recommend losing weight before considering the procedure. Surgeons always insist on getting to your ideal weight before surgery to reduce the chances of weight being the cause. 

Weight loss is vital for reducing breast size if you are overweight. Surgery may be the best option when you start a weight loss program and your enlarged breasts do not reduce in size after a few months.

For more on whether you are a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery, visit Rich & Humenansky Plastic Surgery of the Face & Body at our office in Columbia, South Carolina. Call (803) 799-3223​​​​​​​ to book an appointment today.