For Men

Today, men of all ages are requesting plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons.  Some men may want a more balanced nose, a rejuvenated face, or a trimmer waistline.  The procedures used to achieve these goals must take into consideration factors such as skin thickness, beard growth, and body type.

It is essential when planning your surgery to find a plastic surgeon with whom you can communicate freely. In your initial consultation, you’ll be asked to explain in detail why you want the procedure and how you hope to look and feel afterward.   It’s very important to speak candidly about the changes you’d like to see.  You should feel assured that your surgeon understands your goals for surgery.

Extensive information about the particular procedure you plan to have will be provided during your consultation.  While going over the steps of the procedure, your doctor will discuss a number of issues that may influence your surgery.   Make sure you fully understand these considerations. 

Facial surgery - If you are planning facial or neck surgery, your doctor will evaluate your entire head-face-neck region.  Is the hairline receding?  How full are your sideburns?  Does your beard-growing skin extend up the cheeks or down the neck?  Are there facial scars?   Is the skin sun-damaged?   Is the neck skin loose or sagging?

A fatty or “jowly” area beneath the chin is also a concern for many men.  In younger patients, liposuction alone may be sufficient to correct the problem.  Older patients may require a full facelift and necklift, which may include the removal of excess skin and tightening the thick band of muscles which run down each side of the neck.

Changing the facial features - Cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery, nose surgery, and facial-implant surgery are performed essentially the same way for men and women.  However, it’s important to let your surgeon know if you are seeking a more masculine look to your facial features – a chin with better projection, more prominent cheekbones, or a stronger nose.

Liposuction/body contouring -  The ideal male body shape is considered to be trim and athletic-looking, with broad shoulders and chest, a flat abdomen, and a narrow hip-thigh area.  However, as men age, areas of fat tend to accumulate around the abdomen, the flanks, and the chest/breast area (a condition called gynecomastia), and along the chin and neck.  Men sometimes seek liposuction to remove these stubborn fatty areas that are resistant to diet and exercise.
 
In many cases, liposuction alone can effectively correct these problem areas.  Men retain their skin elasticity longer than women do, and the areas of fat beneath the skin tend to be firmer and more vascular than those in women.  Because of this, and other factors, liposuction in men is usually very effective.

Men who have some loose, hanging skin, as well as areas of excess fat, may opt for a traditional excision procedure (surgical skin removal) in addition to liposuction.  An excision may also be performed on gynecomastia patients whose breast enlargement is made up of mostly glandular tissue, rather than fat.

A full abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” may be chosen by men who have hanging abdominal skin (usually the result of massive weight loss), loose abdominal muscles, and/or neglected hernias.  It is a major surgical procedure that removes excess fat, tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall, and trims the waistline.  Men who have a full abdominoplasty are often surprised at the long recovery period.  Men with good skin elasticity who have only a moderate amount of excess  abdominal fat may benefit from liposuction alone.

Muscle-enhancing surgery -  In recent years, plastic surgeons have developed ways of improving muscle contour with cosmetic implants and “sculpting” techniques.

The days and weeks immediately following your surgery are critical to obtaining a good final result.  Therefore, it’s essential that you follow your doctor’s orders to the letter. F ollowing orders may mean taking adequate time off work; wearing bandages or tight compression garments; getting enough rest; staying out of the sun; saying no to alcohol and cigarettes; and avoiding strenuous activity.