Plastic Surgery for Men

In 2008, 1.1 million cosmetic medical procedures were performed on men, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Many male patients who receive cosmetic procedures achieve a more youthful appearance, more comfort in daily activities and more self-confidence.

The top five minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed on men in 2008 include:

• Botox
• Laser hair removal
• Microdermabrasion
• Chemical peel
• Laser skin resurfacing

The top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed on men in 2008 include:

• Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
• Eyelid surgery
• Liposuction
• Breast reduction
• Hair transplantation

Selecting a Doctor

Cosmetic medical procedures for women have been performed for many years. Cosmetic medical procedures for men have just become popular. Doctors have found differences in the approach to the procedure, the extent of the procedure and the outcome of male cosmetic procedures. It is important to select a board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses on cosmetic procedures for men.

There may be alternative procedure choices for men. Once you have selected a qualified plastic surgeon, it is important to seek the doctor’s advice and discuss all of the options to select the best treatment for your individual goals.

Special Considerations

• Review the doctor’s credentials, education, training, type of certification held and number of times that the treatment has been performed in the practice.
• View before-and-after photos of patients with similar conditions to help decide on the right treatment for you.
• Inquire about the method of the procedure and any possible complications that may result.
• Ask for a list of pre-op and post-op instructions.
• Keep in mind that results vary among providers and patients.

Core Differences Between Male and Female Treatment

Men are faced with unique considerations when considering a cosmetic procedure. The anatomy of a man is quite different from a woman. Muscles tend to be thicker, chemical reactions in the body differ and a greater variance in exposed skin areas may be a consideration. While these differences do not necessarily pose a greater possibility of complications, gender difference may alter procedure choice or the extent of the procedure.

The doctor must understand your goals, and your tolerance for scarring. In addition, men can not cover scars in the facial area as well as women. Hairstyle and makeup can cover a lot for women. Men are usually much more concerned about privacy than women, and may need to be off work longer following facial procedures to prevent others from recognizing the tell-tale signs of cosmetic surgery.

Neck Lift: The neck is becoming more popular for men interested in removing the “turkey waddle” appearance of excess skin. A neck lift can remove excess fat and muscle in the jaw or chin area. In the case of the neck lift, the beard length and side burns may be factors in deciding the appropriate place for incisions. Also, the muscles in the neck are thicker in men than women. This does not necessarily present a surgical problem or implicate additional complications. Yet, it may change the extent of the procedure. The skin texture of a man’s chin and neck is more course than a woman, reducing scar appearance. Beard and side burns can also assist with covering scars.

Hair Transplantation: The location of the hairline is different for a man. This presents additional considerations. This factor may be cause for additional medical procedures such as scalp flap to bring hair to the balding location. Today, the vast majority of surgical treatment for balding is “micrografting” of hair. Although you may be able to pick out people who had hair transplants done 10 years ago when small groups of hair “plugs” were transferred, today’s solutions are considerably more difficult to spot. One or two hair shafts are transposed individually, making for a less obvious and more natural look.

Liposuction: Liposuction is often performed in men to remove love handles or reduce breast size due to gynecomastia. Results for men with general liposuction are usually strong because they tend to have great skin elasticity (greater than a woman). Men usually only receive a full abdominoplasty when they have lost an excessive amount of weight in the abdomen. Most often, obese patients or those who have undergone weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass or Lap-Band are the only men who may be candidates for a full abdominoplasty. A limited or “mini-abdominoplasty,” which involves liposuction of the abdomen and removal of excess skin in the lower abdomen near the pubic bone, can result in a tighter abdomen (and a scar concealed in even the smallest swimsuit).

Implants for Men

Facial implants. Many men opt for facial implants to better define their profile. Chin implants (also known as chin surgery or mentoplasty) can help men achieve a stronger chin and are occasionally performed in conjunction with rhinoplasty. Jaw implants can help men strengthen and define their jaw line. Cheek implants are another popular form of male facial augmentation that can provide facial fullness in men with hollow, concave cheeks.

Chest Implants. Also referred to as male breast implants, chest implants are gaining in popularity as increasing numbers of men are realizing there are some things that push-ups just can’t do. Pectoral implants can help the chest look fuller and more muscular. Bicep implants and tricep implants can add definition and fullness to the arms. Many men are opting for these implants to pick up the slack where their tricep dips and bicep curls left off. They are often done in tandem to make sure that the biceps and triceps are symmetrical for a balanced, natural look.

Lower Body Implants. There are numerous lower body implants available to help men improve their appearance and self confidence. Calf implants, for example, can help men with thin, shapeless calves, beef up their lower legs. Fully 60 percent of individuals who opt for calf implants are men, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Men with flat, poorly developed buttocks are turning to butt implants so that their behinds look better both in clothes and out. Butt implants can turn pancake buttocks into firm, muscular buns of steel.

Penile implants are an option for men with erectile dysfunction who have not responded to Viagra or other drugs used to treat this disorder. There are several types of penile implants available, including inflatable and malleable models. Penile implants will not make your penis longer, increase sexual desire or sensation, but they can help men achieve an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse on demand.

Chemical Peel and Microdermabrasion. The surface layer of the skin must be treated differently in men. Men cannot shave for up to three weeks after a chemical peel. The skin may appear to have a red tint for several weeks, which can be hidden with a beard. The face may also be swollen and sensitive for several weeks.

Complication Differences

The risk of complications is present with every medical procedure. Men bleed more than women. This increases the risk for excessive bleeding or a hematoma (blood clot under the skin). The doctor can intervene in this case, but recovery is longer. There are some unique differences for men. When planning a male cosmetic procedure, the doctor will need to consider the length of the side burns, location of the hair line and the possibility of a receding hair line. In the case of hair transplantation, special precautions may be taken since men do not style their hair as much as women. Men who have the facelift procedure must select a doctor who is experienced with male facelifts. Because the face is pulled back during a facelift, hair may appear behind the ears or at the back of the neck. Caution must be taken when deciding the incision location for the temple area as well. Hair appearing in the wrong place can be treated with electrolysis or laser hair removal.

Cosmetic procedures work well for most men. Extensive research, selecting the right doctor, and understanding preoperative and postoperative care can reduce the risk of complications. The rise of male cosmetic procedures continues to grow, affording men the same anti-aging benefits as women.

Contact Dr. Benchetrit,  your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Montreal and his team at COSMEDICA for information about all the latest treatment for men!!

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