Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Blog – Harley Medical Group

A recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has revealed that 1.1 million men underwent cosmetic procedures in the United States last year, a two per cent rise on the figures from 2009.

As well as surgical procedures, the figures also included non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers. The society’s president, Dr Phillip Haeck, said that the demand for male chest reduction surgery is driven by men younger than 30, and he attributes the rise in popularity of the face lift to men in their 50s and 60s.

“These are really fit people who have paid a lot of attention to keeping their bodies in shape. This generation has paid a lot of attention to how they look, and they don’t want to grow old gracefully,” he said.

According to other statistics from the society, Botox increased by nine per cent, chest reduction by six per cent, liposuction by seven per cent and ear reshaping surgery by 11 per cent among men.

One UK hospital has seen a huge rise of 210 per cent in the number of patients enquiring about male chest reduction surgery.

Reconstructive surgeon and consultant Alan Park told the Coventry Telegraph: “The number of men we see has been gradually increasing for some time.

“I think it is because there has been a lot on television about male appearance, so men are not so embarrassed by it anymore. They feel like they can talk about it with their friends and come to us.”

Men suffering from what are commonly known as ‘man boobs’ often choose to undergo the specialist fat removal surgery in order to achieve a flatter chest. This is because these deposits of fatty tissue are difficult, and in some cases impossible, to shift simply through a better diet and increased exercise regimes.

The number of men opting for male chest reduction surgery rose sharply during January, according to experts.

A report published by the Echo newspaper today suggests that more men than ever are enquiring about cosmetic surgery procedures to change the way they look and increase self-confidence. Treatments for gynaecomastia or ‘man boobs’ are said to be topping the list.

When interviewed, consultant plastic surgeon Dr Venkat Ramakrishnan said: “We feel it is important to remind people that having cosmetic surgery is a very serious, life-changing decision and one which should not be rushed or taken lightly.

“Women and men should not let their eagerness for change overpower their ability to make a responsible choice about their surgeon and hospital.”

A spokesperson for NHS South East Essex echoed Dr Ramakrishnan’s concerns, pointing out that gynaecomastia can be caused by liver abnormality, or breast or testicular cancer, and that these conditions should always be ruled out by a GP before cosmetic surgery is performed.

The demand for male chest reduction surgery rose by 28 per cent in the last year, according to the latest figures released by the British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).

BAAPS, which represents approximately 40 per cent of the British cosmetic surgery industry, revealed that the number of surgical procedures to reduce the appearance of ‘man boobs’ totalled 741 in 2010, up from 581 in 2009.

Figures also suggest that the number of overall procedures went up by five per cent last year, when compared with figures from the previous year.

In an interview with BBC News, BAAPS-registered consultant plastic surgeon Rajiv Grover, said: “Images in the media – coverage of high profile men like Simon Cowell and Jack Nicholson – make men think about this more”.

Grover went on to say that approximately 30 per cent of men who enquired about the surgery were advised to change their diet and improve their exercise regime, but that the remaining 70 per cent had areas of fat that were “beyond exercise”.

An increasing number of American men have been found to be turning towards cosmetic surgery, and Colorado is leading the pack.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Colorado men are noted as having more plastic surgery than the rest of the country.

Speaking to News 9, Colorado-based surgeon Dr Steven Vath explained his belief that the changing attitude towards cosmetic surgery has encouraged more men to consider treatments. He said: “I think it’s becoming less taboo for men to consider the idea of their appearance, and improving their appearance.” (more…)