PLASTIC SURGERY — A MAN THING

Men get Plastic Surgery?  Yup.

By now, most people are aware that Plastic Surgery for Men has become an established part of the mainstream. Cosmetic procedures for males are very popular, among all ages, geographic locales, races, sizes, and shapes.

There are plenty of statistics showing the truth of that statement; with the latest figures pointing to a rise in just about all procedures, including Botox, Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, Facelift, Neck Lift, Breast Reduction (for Gynecomastia), and Fillers.

In fact, in a surprise spike in the latest numbers, men accounted for 40 percent of the Breast Reductions performed in the U.S.

Men are interested in all kinds of procedures- with the same reasons expressed by women:  they want to look as good as they feel, want to enhance a particular feature or features, and want to remove some of the extras deposited by time and use.

IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE IN COSMETIC SURGERY DONE ON A MAN?

Very good question.

The way many procedures are done, on a man or a woman, may basically be the same. Facelift, neck lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, – all have the same essential elements as surgeries. BUT – (and, as you can see that’s a significant “but”) there are some real differences dictated by biology.

MEN AND WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT

Biologically, there are some differences that will influence how some procedures are addressed.

• Men have thicker skin
• Muscle areas in men tend to be more dense
• Blood supply is greater in male faces
• Facial hair and beard growth
• Denser breast tissue

THICKER MALE SKIN AND MUSCLE

A skilled surgeon will be adept at making incisions in thicker skin and tissue, and in minimizing the resulting scarring.  This is a definite part of the discussion you should have with your doctor, before proceeding with surgery.

Tissue and fat in males, can be more dense and fibrous. In surgeries such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction, and the procedures used in male breast reduction, it may take a bit more effort in surgery to remove excess skin and fat.

BLOOD SUPPLY

In facial surgery, more blood vessels means greater potential for bleeding, and hematoma. Again, great care is taken to reduce this risk during surgery. But you will need to follow your doctor’s orders carefully regarding pre- and post-surgery habits designed to minimize bleeding. (Refraining from alcohol, aspirin-containing medications, herbal supplements, etc., as well as following exercise limitation guidelines).

HAIR GROWTH

In Face Lift and Neck Lift surgeries, your doctor will take note of your hairline, and the growth patterns of your beard and sideburns. Incisions will be made, taking these factors into account so that your scars can be hidden as much as possible.

WHAT ABOUT INJECTABLES?

Botox injections are perhaps the single most popular cosmetic procedure for men. Any differences here may once again be due to the thickness of the skin, and density of the muscles. Your doctor will determine how much product and how many injections will be needed to produce the effect you desire. The same can be said for the various injectable Fillers.

STYLE CHOICES

In general, male patients may want to enhance masculine features and body types; such as a more trim, athletic type of body contour, and facial structure that includes a well-defined chin, neck, and jawline.

Men have “come a long way.”  They’ve gone beyond the dipping-a-toe-in-the-water stage, when it comes to plastic surgery.

As women have known for decades, and as men are rapidly realizing, cosmetic change through surgery is not only ‘acceptable’ but accessible in terms of convenience and financing opportunities, and a welcome option in their lives.

[San Jose area Plastic Surgeon Vincent Lepore, is Board Certified, and Stanford-trained; serving men and women throughout Silicon Valley. To schedule a Free Cosmetic Consultation, please call us at (408) 356-4241.]