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Plastic Surgery for Men

Reviewed by Michael Olding, MD, FACS

In 2004, more than a million cosmetic medical procedures were performed for 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 ten, in ranking order:

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 possible complications from the procedure.
  • 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.

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. Some doctors may chose to do a direct excision of the excessive tissue and muscle with the goal to produce a minimal scar under the chin and back of the neck. These scars are typically less distinguishable than those produced with other procedures used to remove the "turkey waddle." 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 or a flap procedure to feather the edge of an area where hair transplantation can be performed.

Liposuction: Liposuction is often performed in men to remove love handles or reduce breast size due to gynecomastia. Some surgeons may perform abdominal etching, a specific liposuction technique, to create the ribbed muscular appearance of the abdomen. Results for abdominal etching can vary. After all, factors in a ribbed appearance are tight skin, no body fat and thick muscles- some of which may be inherent in the abdomen. 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 received a gastric bypass are the only men who may be candidates for a full abdominoplasty.

Implants: While men may receive facial implants, there are new calf, chest, bicep and tricep implants available for men. These implants are used to produce a more muscular appearance. Fat transfers may be an alternative procedure for increasing volume in specific areas of the body.

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 or microdermabrasion. 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. Male patients are restricted from alcohol intake for four weeks. Alcohol can produce flushing of the face after a chemical peel or microdermabrasion.

Complication Differences

The risk of complications is present with every medical procedure. 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. 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.

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.

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[page updated April 2008]