EL PASO, Texas -- When one thinks of breast reduction, one might also think of women. However, Dr. Mark Jabor at the Cosmetic Laser and Cosmetic Surgery of El Paso said he has seen an increase in the number of men overall requesting breast reduction since opening his practice in El Paso six years ago. He said some of his patients include those in the military.

"For both men and women, my practice tends to see a lot of military people for a variety of reason. Most of them have same concerns that other populations have, however, with one exception. In the military they have to fulfill certain measurement requirements to stay in good standing," said Jabor.

"I'm not so sure that the chest is an area that they measure and makes a difference, but I have seen several that have come in to do breast reduction as well," said Jabor.

In April, the Army changed its requirements for active duty soldiers. Every year, active military has to pass physical fitness tests, and meet a weight requirement depending on age and height. According to the Army manual, a soldier in his mid-20s, who's 5'10'' can weigh no more than 185 pounds. If he's over, then he's tested for body fat percentage. If he does not meet the requirement for either, he has six months to show improvement, or expect to be dismissed from the military.

"I have seen several patients that have come in wanting to have body contouring, primarily liposuction to slim the waist and hips to fulfill those measurement requirements," said Jabor.

"That is surprising because military, you think they're fit, they exercise, they eat well," said Cesar Duran who had a breast reduction three years ago. Duran is not in the military, and had the procedure done for cosmetic reasons.

"I was an overweight person. I had lost over 100 pounds, and that (breasts) didn't go away. The chest was still noticeable even with clothes on. I was always self conscious about it," said Duran. "To me it was the first thing people saw," he said. Duran said he would wear certain clothing to hide what he considered his flaws. He even went so far as bandaging his chest. After seeing the results of the surgery, Duran said he regrets not doing it sooner.

"It has built my self confidence a whole lot more," said Duran.

Jabor said breast reduction is one of the most common procedures men overall come in for, but women far out-number the men.

The Army head recruiter in El Paso said the army does not support or pay for this type of cosmetic surgery. He said roughly 1,000 to 2,000 soldiers are dismissed yearly army-wide because they do not meet physical and weight requirements.

Jabor said the cost for male reduction is about $3,000 to $4,500, and it is not typically covered by the insurance.

Jabor said the procedure is usually different for men than for women.

"When I say breast reduction, in the men it's usually liposuction. Where as in the female, it will usually require skin removal and external scars, but there are exception in men who have lost more than 100 pounds and have enormous amount of skin. You would have to do similar breast reduction to that of a female," said Jabor.

"Men are probably a little sore after the procedure as well, but the recovery is probably a little quicker, and there's less wound care involved," said Jabor.

"Usually it does not come back. If you don't diet and exercise or change any habits chances it will come back. Maybe not in that area, but other areas," said Jabor.