What we can do for men
Although women remain the majority of those opting to undergo Cosmetic Surgery procedures figures show that an increasing number of men are breaking through the taboo by “going under the knife” to get the appearance they want. Over 9.5 per cent of all cosmetic procedures performed in 2013 were undertaken by men, these included Rhinoplasty, Male Chest Reduction, Liposuction and Otoplasty.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) released their member’s figures in February this year, the results proved surprising to many with a significant increase in Facial procedures; Eyelid surgery and Face and Neck lift procedures saw a double-digit rise in popularity with their patients.
Before we delve deeper into what exactly each procedure involves, and how it can be of benefit to you, here is a quick overview of the top surgical procedures for men (in 2013).
Most popular male cosmetic procedures 2013 (4,757 in total*)
- Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping) – 1,037
- Blepharoplasty (Eye Bag Removal Surgery) – 887
- Gynaecomastia (Male Chest Reduction) – 796
- Liposuction - 554
- Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping) – 543
- Face/Neck Lift – 364
- Brow Lift – 176
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) – 123
Reasons men undertake Cosmetic Surgery
British males are not the only ones who are turning to Cosmetic Surgery and Non-Invasive Treatments. Line and Wrinkle Reduction, Botox and Dermal Fillers, tops the list of Minimally-Invasive Treatments for Americans. According to a reportby the American Society of Plastic Surgeons of the 6.1 million patients treated in 2012 one million of those were male.
Through our years of experience we have developed a deep understanding why men choose to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure, and the reasons vary greatly. Some men have a problem from childhood that they want addressed while others are looking to remedy a sporting injury. Health is a causal factor, whether it’s a Rhinoplasty to help with breathing problems, a Tummy Tuck from dramatic weight loss, or Male Breast Reduction that no amount of gym workouts can address. Older men are often looking to maintain a fresh appearance in an increasingly competitive workplace or are newly single and looking to regain their youth before entering the dating market!
Our nurses have met men from all walks of life and heard a lot of reasons, nothing is surprise to them and they understand the end goal of each man who comes to us, which is most often to be more confident and happy with the way they look. So let’s take a look at some of these procedures in more detail.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
There are many reasons why you may be unhappy with your nose and feel Rhinoplasty is the right solution. The most common causes cited by men for undergoing nose reshaping are: the result of a broken nose from a sporting injury; difficulty breathing, in particular while sleeping; they are simply unhappy with the size, shape or overall appearance of their nose.
Rhinoplasty is a common surgical procedure which takes place inside the nose to prevent any scars from being seen from the outside. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will make a cut inside the nostrils and lift the skin to gain access to the underlying bones and cartilage. The procedure undertaken will depend the results you want, as discussed during your consultation; your Cosmetic Surgeon will make the necessary alterations to the bones and cartilage before draping the skin back over the newly shaped nose.
You can expect this procedure to take about two hours with an overnight stay in hospital. A splint will rest over your nose for up to a week to help keep it in place while it heals. Normally the signs of surgery take up to three weeks to disappear, with your new nose fully healing after six months.
Blepharoplasty (Eye Bag Removal Surgery)
During the natural ageing process, it is normal for skin around the eyes to become thinner, looser and even start to sag. The weakening and loosening of the muscles can also cause fat to bulge forward, making lower eyelids seem baggy. Undertaken generally by older men, Eye bag Removal Surgery (Blepharoplasty) is a procedure during which excess skin or fat from around the patient’s eye is removed, resulting in a more youthful and alert appearance.
You can expect this procedure to take between one to three hours but may not require an overnight stay in hospital. Recovery is generally quick with most people returning to work after seven days.
Before receiving Blepharoplasty surgery some men choose to try Non-Surgical alternatives such as Botox, Dermal Fillers or Laser Rejuvenation treatments which can also help to reduce wrinkles around the eyes. You may also find that a Brow Lift upon the forehead is recommended to combat the problem of drooping eyebrows.
Brow Lift
With an increase of 18 per cent for male Brow Lift procedures it is clear that men are increasingly concerned about the tell-tale signs of ageing. You can choose to have a Brow Lift in conjunction with Eye Bag Removal Surgery or on its own to lessen the amount of forehead wrinkles or help to reduce signs of a deep frown. Also known as an Open Brow Lift, the men who undergo this type of surgery do so in order to correct sagging of the forehead, eyebrows and upper eyelids that comes as part of the ageing process.
There are three main types of Brow Lift:
- Direct Brow Lift (Open)
An incision is made above the line of the eyebrow and tissue is removed from the area. You may be left with some small scars but these are likely to follow any natural forehead creasing.
- Endoscopic Brow Lift
Your Cosmetic Surgeon will make very small incisions in your scalp to free up the ligaments in the skin on your forehead. The skin will be stretched upwards and reattached to smooth out lines and wrinkles.
- Trans-Eyelid Brow Lift
Combining a Direct Brow Lift and Upper Blepharoplasty this procedure involves the removal of excess skin from the upper eyelid.
Depending on the procedure required to get the best result the operation may take between 1.5 to 2 hours and will require an overnight stay in hospital.
Male Chest Reduction
Male Breasts, medically known as Gynaecomastia and commonly called “Moobs”, is offset by a hormone imbalance. It is estimated that between 40 – 60 per cent of the UK male population are affected by Gynaecomastia. Unlike other body fat, the tissue that causes this condition cannot be reduced through healthy diet or exercise, and it is this that leads so many men opting to have their “man boobs” flattened to make them feel more masculine.
During the procedure, an incision will be made around the areola and your Cosmetic Surgeon may have to use Liposuction to remove any excess fatty tissue. Following the operation, you will be expected to wear an elastic garment over the area for up to six weeks to encourage smoother overall results.
Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)
Otoplasty continues to be one of the most popular procedures for men; it can be used to reduce the size of earlobes or to change the overall position of the ear in relation to the head. Well known for boosting self-confidence, Ear Reshaping surgery can completely alter the appearance of the patient’s face as well as their overall demeanour with increased self-esteem.
It involves removing skin from the ear and then reshaping the cartilage. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will then stitch your ears into their new position, concealing the incision marks in your ear’s natural crease. The procedure usually takes around two to three hours in total, with immediate and permanent results.
Liposuction
With the growing trend towards a healthier lifestyle of sensible eating and exercise men are starting to find pockets of stubborn fat, from such areas as old love handles, extremely hard to remove. 2013 saw an astronomical surge in the demand for Liposuction, with the number of patients undertaking such surgery up by 28 per cent in an attempt to complete their new look.
Liposuction involves the insertion of a cannula (tiny tube) through an incision in the skin, which is then moved around the problem area to suck out the excess fatty tissue. In order to limit the amount of blood loss it is recommended that just two to three litres of fat is removed in a single operation.
Operation time for Liposuction largely depends on the size of the area being treated. Hips and thighs generally require an operation of one hour in length. Those who have had the maximum amount of fat removed will also be required to stay overnight in hospital. Following the procedure you’ll also be asked to wear an elastic pressure garment over the area for around six weeks to prevent any fluid from collecting under the skin and to ensure best results.
Face/Neck Lift Surgery
More prevalent in men who are in their 40s and 50s, Face and Neck Lift surgery is one of the most efficient procedures to fight the signs of ageing. It focuses on improving the appearance of sagging skin around the eyes, mouth and jaw line to leave the patient looking more rejuvenated.
With a Face Lift, or Rhytidectomy, your Cosmetic Surgeon will make an incision at the front of your ear. This will then be extended behind the earlobe and to your lower scalp. For any neck work your Cosmetic Surgeon may also make an incision underneath your chin. They will then separate the skin from the underlying fat and muscle, to improve and smooth the contours this may be trimmed and suctioned, and will then be tightened before stitching the skin back in place. This type of procedure can last up to three hours according to the amount of work being carried out, and may require one or two overnight stays in hospital.
Chin Implants
Since the beginning of the Hollywood era masculinity and success, both professionally and privately, are associated with a strong chin and jaw line, and with the term “chinless” meaning ineffectual it’s no surprise. Of those males undertaking Chin Implant surgery, many seek to emulate the defined chin and jaw line of male celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman and David Beckham.
Men can improve their jaw line in two ways; either by having a Chin Implant inserted or by having the jaw advanced. The former procedure takes 45 minutes in general and involves a silicone implant being inserted through the mouth or under the chin so as to limit the visibility of scars. Jaw Advancement is a longer, more painful procedure and should only be undertaken if there is a reason for not being able to have a Chin Implant.
Tummy Tuck
An article in the Daily Telegraph reported that between 2012 and 2013, Male Tummy Tuck procedures increased by 15 per cent, and that the overall demand for male Cosmetic Surgery rose by 16 per cent, from 4298 to 4757. Once regarded as a procedure undertaken by “yummy mummies” to regain their post pregnancy figure, a consultant Cosmetic Surgeon explained that it is not surprising that men are now adding Tummy Tucks to their surgery wish list. “Patients are looking to get the most ‘impact’ from their surgery to enhance their mental well-being and self-confidence.”
As with liposuction the growing awareness of obesity issues and the trend towards a healthier lifestyle many men who were overweight now find themselves with “a lot of loose skin that causes physical problems and unsightly body contour which can only be addressed by surgery”. An Abdominoplasty removes loose skin and fatty tissue through an incision which extends across the abdomen, the outcome of the procedure is a flat stomach with a tightened abdominal muscle wall. The procedure takes around two hours and requires a one or two night stay in hospital.
Other procedures
We also offer a fully comprehensive range of Laser and Skin treatments, including Dermal Fillers to smooth out the appearance of wrinkles; Skin Peels to help rejuvenate and revitalise the skin as well as reduce acne scarring and early signs of ageing; and Laser treatments for scars, stretch marks and thread vein removal.
Let us help
Our years of experience in the field of Cosmetic Surgery ensure that you can rely on The Harley Medical Group to assist you at all stages of your chosen procedure. We offer free consultations with qualified Medical Professionals, as well as a thorough after care service to ensure that your experience is positive throughout your entire journey.
Consultations are FREE and
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