Man gets 'moob job' to reduce the size of overgrown after 17 years

Alex Moore, 30, was 13 when he developed gynecomastia, a condition in which men develop breast tissue because of a hormone imbalance

Alex Moore, 30, was 13 when he developed gynecomastia, a condition in which men develop breast tissue because of a hormone imbalance

A man who has avoided dating his whole life because he is so self-conscious of his 'man boobs' has finally had the surgery to reduce them after 17 years.

Alex Moore, 30, was 13 when he developed gynecomastia, a condition in which men develop breast tissue because of a hormone imbalance.

Alex, of Los Angeles, spent almost two decades concealing his 'moobs' in over-sized clothing and strapping them down with muscle vests while playing sports.

The Uber driver and gymnastics teacher tells DailyMailTV how the condition has taken  huge psychological toll on him. 

He has avoided dating because his insecurities about his breasts makes him anxious of being intimate with a partner.

But Alex has finally undergone the surgery to reduce the size of his breasts, telling DailyMailTV exclusively that he now feels great about it. 

'It just feels kind of like a new lease on life - to be so cliche - and it feels great. It really does!' Alex told DailyMailTV in a post-op interview. 

These photos show Alex's overgrown breasts that he has spent almost two decades concealing in over-sized clothing and strapping them down with muscle vests while playing sports

These photos show Alex's overgrown breasts that he has spent almost two decades concealing in over-sized clothing and strapping them down with muscle vests while playing sports

These photos show Alex's overgrown breasts that he has spent 17 years concealing in over-sized clothing and strapping them down with muscle vests while playing sports

Alex told DailyMailTV that his large breasts caused him to lead a more 'limited life' and miss out on experiences including dating and enjoying hot days by the pool and beach

Alex told DailyMailTV that his large breasts caused him to lead a more 'limited life' and miss out on experiences including dating and enjoying hot days by the pool and beach 

Alex says he has about six to seven weeks of recovery but says he feels good and his energy levels are up. 

'I have to wear this compression garment and that has to continue for the next seven weeks now,' he says. 'You take it day by day and week by week.' 

WHAT IS GYNECOMASTIA? 

Gynecomastia is a common condition in which men grow breasts.

It is most commonly caused by a hormonal imbalance – usually too much of the female sex hormone, estrogen.

It can range from swelling or puffiness around the nipple to full, more prominent breasts.

Puberty, old age, and obesity are all common triggers of the condition, because all can result in a drop in testosterone levels, meaning estrogen has a bigger effect on the body.

Other less common causes may include drinking alcohol, medication side effects, illegal steroid use, or kidney failure.

Treatments can include hormone therapy or surgery to remove extra breast tissue.

The condition can be distressing for a lot of men, and there is an online support forum at www.gynecomastia.org

Source: NHS Choices

Alex says he can already see a change in his figure underneath the bandages.  

'I can already see a difference in the contours of my silhouette and reflection. Like when I look at shadows or just look in the mirror.

'It's really awesome but being the person I am, I'm trying to manage expectations to a certain degree and just kind of wait until the final reveal.' 

The 30-year-old says the condition, which is often made light of in TV and film, has taken a huge psychological toll on his life. 

Before the surgery, Alex said the breast tissue he developed as a teen 'droops and hangs like female breasts'. 

He said that dating was 'not an option' with the condition.  

'When I was a teenager I was so uncomfortable with myself that the idea of approaching someone I had a crush on was just not something I considered,' he said. 

'Now, I am always thinking, ''Do they notice them. Do they care?'''It's stressful.

'Even if they tell me they are fine with it, it's still in my head and in the moment it makes me so full of anxiety.'

Alex, who identifies as bisexual, said the gay dating scene especially is focused on 'hyper masculinity and even when this is not the

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