JUST FOR MEN

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

Liposculpture

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 ("love handles"), the breast area (a condition called gynecomastia), and along the chin and neck. Men sometimes seek liposuction to remove these 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 these 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.

Hi Def liposculpture is an advanced liposuction technique. Combining technology and art, this technique can sculpt a flabby stomach into a toned tummy. Using smaller instruments, Dr. Millard can insure less pain and a shorter recovery period. Both men and women can benefit greatly from this surgery!

Abdomen Reduction

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. Some patients aren't able to return to work up to 4 weeks after surgery.

Men with good skin elasticity who have only a moderate amount of excess abdominal fat may benefit from liposuction alone.

Breast Reduction - (Gynecomastia)

Although rarely discussed, enlarged male breasts is a common condition. Gynecomastia affects approximately 40 to 60 percent of men. There is no known cause for gynecomastia, although there has been some correlation with various drugs or medical conditions.

Men who feel self-conscious about their appearance are helped with breast-reduction surgery. The procedure removes fat and/or glandular tissue from the breasts and, in extreme cases, removes excess skin, resulting in a contoured chest that is flatter and firmer.

For men, common procedures include liposuction under the chin and around the waist and the reduction of enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.

The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of men opting for plastic surgeries. Several factors seem to be contributing to this growing interest in aesthetic enhancement.

Confidence: Technological advances have made it possible for plastic surgeons to create completely natural looking results with relative ease. The use of lasers and advanced techniques are decreasing both procedure time and healing time. The growing numbers of both men and women choosing to undergo cosmetic procedures reflects a high level of confidence in surgeons and doctors.

Career moves: Perhaps more than ever before, an individual’s professional success can depend on his/her outward appearance. Older men frequently choose plastic surgery in order to maintain a healthy, vigorous look.

A Boost: Men are realizing that feeling good about oneself can improve self-confidence. As cosmetic surgery is becoming more widely accepted, men are choosing both minor and major procedures in order to enhance their looks and boost their body image.

The following are a few of the most popular surgeries among men

• Liposuction Liposuction is currently the number one cosmetic surgery performed on men. Between 1992 and 1998, the number of men undergoing liposuction in the U.S. quadrupled – from 5,000 per year to about 20,000 per year.


• Eyelid Surgery Both upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) are extremely popular with both men and women. These procedures are used to remove excess tissue from around the upper and lower parts of the eyelid, eliminating droopy eyes and saggy skin.


• Nose Reshaping Nose reshaping surgeries are also on the rise for men. In 1998, about 13,000 men in the U.S. opted to undergo some kind of rhinoplasty (plastic surgery of the nose).


• Breast Reduction Between 1992 and 1998, the number of men undergoing Breast reductions doubled -- increasing from 5,000 per year to 10,000 per year.


• Facelift Men are beginning to learn what many women have known for years -- wrinkles make us appear older. Another of the most popular surgeries among men is the facelift.


• Other Treatments Renova, laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion are also increasingly popular with men. Renova is a topical cream used at home to smooth the skin and eliminate discoloration. Laser skin resurfacing used to dramatically smooth the skin, eliminate many acne scars and even remove uneven skin tones and fine wrinkles. Microdermabrasion is a milder, in-office procedure used to remove the top, rough layer of skin on the face to expose the softer, smoother skin beneath.

Men are learning what women have known for centuries. A little self-pampering not only improves appearance, but it can go a long way toward reducing stress, improving self-confidence and strengthening one’s sense of well-being. And that kind of proactive attitude toward self-care is, in itself, appealing – in men and women alike.

Facial Surgery

If you are planning facial surgery or neck surgery, your doctor will evaluate your entire head-face-neck region. Is the hairline receding? How full are the sideburns? Does the 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 drooping?

In general, it's known that male facial skin has a richer blood supply than female facial skin. Male faces bleed more during surgery and are at greater risk for forming a temporary collection or pooling of blood under the skin, called a hematoma, after surgery.

Also, any scarring that may result from surgery may be more difficult for men to hide, since they don't wear make-up or style their hair toward their faces, as many women do.

Hair growth and beard growth may play a major role in the outcome of a facelift. If you are balding or have thinning hair, surgical artistry may be required to hide the facelift incision, especially in the temple area. If the hair-bearing skin of your upper neck is pulled behind your ears during surgery, you may find that you must shave behind your ears or the back of your neck. However, sometimes electrolysis can correct this problem. Be sure to discuss these possibilities with your surgeon.

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 platysma muscles, which run down each side of the neck. These muscles are usually thicker in men than they are in women, but do not pose a greater challenge for your plastic surgeon.

"Refinishing" Treatments for Facial Skin

Shaving must be postponed for about 3 weeks after a skin-smoothing treatment such as chemical peel or dermabrasion. Because these procedures strip away the surface layers of skin, you can expect your face to remain sensitive, swollen, and bright pink for several weeks after surgery.

Some men are happy that the beard growth helps conceal the pinkness of their recovering skin -- especially if they feel uncomfortable using camouflage make-up.

Men who feel self-conscious about their condition are also advised to give up alcoholic drinks for about 4 weeks. Alcohol causes the areas of treated facial skin to become noticeably red and flushed.

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, a stronger nose.

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