Plastic surgery for men is becoming increasingly popular. Data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) has shown an approximate 55% increase in plastic surgery procedures in men from 1997 to 2018 and a 28% increase since 2000. The ASPS also reports that more than 280,000 men in the United States had elective cosmetic procedures in 2020, a statistically slow year for plastic surgery due to the pandemic. That’s not even factoring in the additional 820,123 minimally invasive procedures men also had that year, like BOTOX® Cosmetic and laser treatments. Even though they may not openly discuss plastic surgery, it is evident that more men now consider it a viable option to help them look and feel their best.
“Let’s face it – guys aren’t standing around in the locker room at the gym discussing their love handles and sagging jawlines with their buddies,” says Dr. Nathan Leigh, a board-certified plastic surgeon and partner with Edina Plastic Surgery. “However, men experience the same insecurities about their bodies and appearance as women. Although they may not talk about it as openly women, it has become obvious within our industry and inside our practice that more and more men now see plastic surgery as a go-to option. Let’s just say that if you are a man interested in plastic surgery in 2023, chances are, you won’t be the only guy in our reception area waiting for your consultation. I am excited to be able to witness this shift in the course of my career. Just like women, men deserve to look as good as they feel!”
The Top 5 Plastic Surgeries Requested by Men
According to the Aesthetic Society, an organization comprised of board-certified plastic surgeons, men account for more than 8% of all plastic surgeries performed in the United States and Great Britain. In 2020, the top surgical procedures requested by men included liposuction, breast reduction surgery, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and tummy tuck surgery.
#1 – Lose the Love Handles with Liposuction
“As they age, many men find that extra fat accumulating around their midsections that used to be easily dieted or exercised away,” says Dr. Leigh. “This fat is often due to hormonal changes that are common in aging men and is notoriously resistant to any efforts in the gym or dietary restrictions. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that uses a cannula inserted via a small incision around a problem area to remove stubborn pockets of fat. It is the number one plastic surgery requested by men in the United States and is an extremely effective way to reshape and recontour a man’s midsection.”
#2 – Defy the Dreaded “Man Boobs” with Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, is a very common condition. It occurs in up to 60 percent of adolescent boys and young men. It may also develop later in life. In most cases, there is no apparent cause for the development of excess male breast tissue. However, it can occur as a side effect of some medications, significant weight gain, or from some medical conditions. Unfortunately, diet and exercise alone cannot correct gynecomastia, and the condition can take an immense toll on a man’s self-esteem and confidence. Male breast reduction surgery can restore a flatter, smoother, more masculine-looking chest by removing excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue from breasts.
“Our team of plastic surgeons at Edina Plastic Surgery have special expertise and skill in treating gynecomastia,” says Dr. Leigh. “We begin with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a medical history and risk factors. Together, we will develop the best treatment option for your individual case. Liposuction alone may be a good option if the excess breast tissue is mostly soft, fatty tissue. This can be performed through small incisions along the lower edge of the areola and/or the lateral or lower chest. If the excess tissue is dense and glandular, then excision will be required – often in combination with liposuction. This is done through an incision along the lower half of the areola. The scars from these incisions typically fade very well and are generally not noticeable.”
“If the overlying skin is loose, it may not adequately tighten after the excess tissue is removed,” Dr. Leigh continues. “In these cases, excision (removal) of some overlying skin may be recommended, although this produces more significant and visible scars.”
#3 – Elevate Your Confidence with Eyelid Lift Surgery
Many of a man’s facial features can make him look more distinguished and ruggedly handsome with age, but drooping, puffy eyelids are certainly not one of them. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, removes loose, excess skin and fat deposits on the upper and/or lower eyelids and tightens the remaining tissue to create a more youthful, refreshed appearance to the eyes.
#4 – Put Your Best Face Forward with Rhinoplasty Surgery
“The nose holds a very prominent position on the face and can therefore have tremendous emotional significance to an individual,” says Dr. Leigh. “A nose that is considered too large, too small or too crooked, or that deviates in some way from a normal range, can make a man feel self-conscious, insecure and anxious in social situations. Nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed nationwide and on men at Edina Plastic Surgery.”
Rhinoplasty (commonly referred to as a “nose job”) is designed to address the specific challenges people face regarding their nose structure. Whether it’s a protruding bump on the bridge or a prominent projection of the nasal tip, rhinoplasty can provide a man with bolstered confidence and a more balanced facial aesthetic.
#5 – Transform Your Abdominal Area with Tummy Tuck Surgery
“Contrary to popular belief, tummy tuck surgery isn’t just for women after childbirth,” states Dr. Leigh. “Although abdominoplasty is incredibly effective for removing the excess abdominal skin that a woman may experience after pregnancy, it is also a common procedure among men to flatten and smooth their stomach area after significant weight loss.
There are a multitude of ways that someone can end up with extra skin or fat around their abdomen. For many people, the belly is the first place where extra fat is stored — that means that any weight gain, even a pound or two, can create a visible difference in the curvature of the stomach. When you gain and lose enough weight, the skin itself loses elasticity and its ability to “snap back” after weight loss.
“A tummy tuck is designed to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen,” explains Dr. Leigh. “It utilizes precise incisions and skin redraping techniques to restore a taut, more youthful appearance to the stomach. A skilled surgeon can often make these incisions in discreet locations that can easily be concealed below the waistline of a man’s jeans or swimming trunks.”
“Although having plastic surgery is a huge and personal decision, I often tell men that it is a long wind up for a fast pitch,” says Dr. Leigh. “So many men I work with have a procedure done, quickly recover, and then tell me how they wish they had done it sooner because they feel so great about their results. I can’t stress enough to men who are considering plastic surgery that you are not alone in your desire, that your decision is not vain or superfluous, and that you deserve to love the way you look!”
Are you a man who is interested in one of the plastic surgeries mentioned above? Schedule a no-pressure, stress-free, complimentary consultation to discuss your goals with Dr. Nathan Leigh or another board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery by calling (612) 688-3177, texting (952) 925-1765, or CLICKING HERE.
