A Guy’s Guide to Plastic Surgery: What Procedures Men Are Getting Done

The number of men who are open to receiving plastic surgery has increased over the last few decades, as awareness of procedures increases and the stigma around them has dwindled over time.

Where women often seek cosmetic surgery to restore femininity to their appearance, men naturally usually desire ways to increase masculinity in their appearance. More men than ever are seeking cosmetic procedures with plastic surgeons in Toronto to achieve these enhanced looks.

The desire for men to improve a masculine-looking appearance is nothing new, whether it’s by working out for an increased physique, growing beards for a more rugged look, or, in some cases, testosterone treatments.

Close to 300,000 men received cosmetic plastic surgery in 2020 alone, and that’s not including the over one million men who received non-surgical treatments such as Botox or dermal fillers.

Today, we’ll be talking about some of the cosmetic procedures men are getting done.

Tummy Tuck

The abdominal region is often a common area of concern among men, and thus, tummy tucks for men are a very popular procedure.

Whether it is due to age, genetics, extreme weight loss, or other reasons, the skin around the stomach muscles can gradually begin to sag and droop, giving an appearance of a flabby belly. This can be particularly frustrating among men who have lost excessive weight and have gained underlying abdominal muscles, only for them to be hidden under this sagging layer of skin.

When it comes to men and tummy tuck procedure, the goal is usually to create a flatter, more masculine-looking appearance.

In a tummy tuck for men, an incision is made along the groin/pubic hair area, so any residual scarring will be discreet and not visible above clothing following the procedure. The underlying muscles are then strengthened, and the above abdominal skin is pulled up into a tight position, and excess skin is removed. The result is a flatter, more toned, and more masculine-looking stomach.

(See here for some of our male tummy tuck for men before and after photographs.)

Liposuction for men and tummy tuck surgeries are often combined into one procedure, so stubborn pockets of fat under the skin are removed, allowing for an even more enhanced, smoother, and masculine appearance following the procedure.

Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most versatile types of plastic surgery, which is why it is so popular. Male liposuction can be used as a standalone procedure or combined with other procedures. For example, as previously mentioned, liposuction for men and tummy tuck procedures can be combined to create a more streamlined appearance than either procedure performed separately.

Liposuction can also be used for fat grafting procedures, where the fat is removed from a donor area on the body and repurposed elsewhere on the body to help restore fullness in the area (such as in the face)

As a standalone procedure, liposuction can be performed almost anywhere on the body where stubborn pockets of excess fat form. This includes areas such as:

• The abdominal region, including the stomach and love handles
• Upper arms for treating flabby arms and around the underarm area
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Chest (Also known as a male breast reduction; More on that below)
• Back
• Chin and jawline for treating double chins (Also, more on this later.)
• Cheeks
• Neck
• Ankles – Commonly used to treat things like cankles or other fat collection in the ankles
• Thighs
• Knees

With all the advances in liposuction procedures and technology over the years, it’s never been better or easier to receive liposuction, and our clinic offers a range of methods of liposuction procedures that can be tailored towards your needs, such as the following:

Tumescent

Tumescent liposuction is performed by injecting the surgical area with a solution that causes the fat to swell and firm, making it easier to remove the stabilized fat cells.

BodyTite™

BodyTite™ liposuction uses radiofrequency energies through an electrode and a surgically implanted probe. The energy generated between the probe and electrode creates a gentle heat that liquifies the fat, allowing for easier removal. The heat also stimulated soft-tissue contractions, allowing for gradual skin-tightening effects post-surgery.

VASERLipo™

VASERLipo™ breaks up fat in the body using ultrasound technology, turning it into small pieces and then vibrating them until they melt for easier removal.

SmartLipo™

Smartlipo™ uses laser technology to deliver energy directly to the treatment area, melting fat for easier removal. Like BodyTite™, this also allows for gradual skin tightening post-surgery.

Hair Transplant

Hair loss among men is often a sensitive topic, as it is one of the most prominent visible signs of aging among the male sex. An astounding 85 percent of men report experiencing at least some noticeable hair loss by age 50, with 25 percent noting these signs began in their early twenties.

Hair loss can be a point of insecurity as it can make a person feel older or emasculated; thus, hair transplants have become overwhelmingly popular among men.

Using ARTAS transplant technology, our clinic performs FUE hair transplants to permanently restore hair in an affected balding area of the scalp. Individual healthy follicles are harvested from a healthy donor site on the patient (usually a discreet area such as the neck or the back of the head) and transplanted to the designated area. This procedure is an advanced method that offers less invasiveness, less pain, and a quicker recovery time than traditional transplants while still boasting a high success rate, leaving a patient with a seamless transition between original and new hair growth.

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)

All humans have breast tissue in their chests; however, the tissues in men’s chests generally do not grow as women’s do, which is why they stay flat amongst the body.

However, breast tissue among men can expand for many reasons, whether it be weight gain, aging, hormonal changes and imbalances, medication changes, or just natural genetics.

Whatever the reason, the expanded fat and tissue, known as gynecomastia, can cause an unflattering appearance commonly known as man boobs.

Gynecomastia is a very widespread condition among men, affecting anywhere between 40 to 50 percent of men of all ages, from their teenage years to their senior years.

Man boobs are often considered to be a high point of embarrassment or self-consciousness among men, as the idea of having “boobs” can make them feel emasculated.

During a male breast reduction, also known as gynecomastia surgery, incisions are made, and any excess of stubborn fat and tissue is removed using liposuction techniques. If excess skin is present, it is removed, and the skin is pulled tight. The result is a flatter, more masculine-appearing chest.

For those wondering about the nuances in their condition, our article on “gynecomastia vs fat” can shed light on the specific characteristics of each.

Facelifts

The facelift is one of the most common facial cosmetic surgery procedures we perform on men, as it helps address a multitude of unwanted features at once. There are multiple types of facelifts, ranging from a mini facelift that targets smaller concerns like sagging jowls to a full facelift that treats sagging skin, drooping brows, and fine lines and wrinkles across the face.

While there are many methods for performing a facelift, depending on the areas of concern you are seeking to correct, the general approach usually involves making an incision in a discreet area, such as the hairline or behind the ears. Then the underlying fat is repositioned to the desired shape, the muscles are tightened, and the skin is pulled tight. Any excess skin and tissue are removed during this process.

Blepharoplasty

Some of the earliest visible signs of aging happen around the eyes, such as sagging eyelids, dark circles, or puffy bags. These signs can make a person appear worn out, even when properly rested. Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a procedure that can help treat the signs of aging around the eyes.

Drooping eyelids occur when the muscles that hold the eyelids in place weaken, causing them to sag. This can occur in both the upper and the lower eyelids. In the case of the upper lids, sagging skin can eventually drop low enough to obstruct a person’s vision. With the lower lid, the eyelid can drop and curl outward, resulting in an inability for the eyelids to connect and close properly. Blepharoplasty treats both of these issues by tightening the underlying muscles under the eyelids and removing any sagging excess skin.

When it comes to undereye dark circles and bags, blepharoplasty can be performed by removing excess skin and redistributing fat beneath the skin to create a more youthful, refreshed appearance.

Double Chin Removal

The chin is an area of the body that is particularly prone to storing unwanted fat; that’s why so many people say, “You can see it in their face” when somebody loses a large amount of weight. Unfortunately, stubborn fat can still persist in the chin area even with a great diet and exercise. Sometimes, a double chin has nothing to do with diet or exercise and can also result from aging and hereditary genetics.

Double chin removal is performed using liposuction in the chin region, removing stubborn fat to create a tighter, more streamlined effect under the chin and neck and to help create a more pronounced jawline.

Otoplasty

Insecurities about the shape and size of the ears are common among men, which is why Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, is among the top five cosmetic surgeries men have performed.

Usually, these insecurities stem from ears that are considered too big or stick out further from the head than desired. The procedure can also treat asymmetrical or stretched-out ears caused by jewelry like spacers.

Specifically, among men, the concern is usually that larger or ‘sticking out’ ears will create a less serious, ‘dopey,’ and less masculine appearance, hence their popularity among men.

While the otoplasty technique used may vary depending on the type of correction required, the procedure is generally performed by making incisions behind the ears. After the incision is made, the cartilage and skin within the ears are reshaped to create the desired appearance and shape. Any excess skin and cartilage are then removed, and the surgical area is closed.

Rhinoplasty

Insecurities about the nose are incredibly common, which is why more and more men are turning to nose jobs, also known as rhinoplasty. In fact, rhinoplasty is the number one cosmetic surgical procedure that men (and women!) have done.

This is partially because men’s noses, in general, grow for a longer period than women’s, stopping growth around ages 17-19 (versus the 15-17 range for women).

Rhinoplasty allows an individual to change the undesirable concerns they have about their nose, whether it be size, shape, or symmetry, and correct them to be more aesthetically pleasing.

For men specifically, the goal is usually to help masculinize their face, often seeking a stronger, more defined nose, typically straight-cut and angular. Though the methods and desired outcomes vary widely, in general, this is done by straightening the bridge of the nose, correcting any bumps and bends, and slightly widening the middle portion of the nose to create a broader look. The tip and nostrils are then adjusted accordingly.

Another reason rhinoplasty is so popular is that it can also treat a deviated septum. Your septum is the wall of cartilage located between the nostrils and running up the length of your nose, which keeps the nasal passageways separate. When the septum bends or curves, a condition known as a deviation, it can cause trouble breathing through one or both nostrils. Up to 80 percent of people have some form of a deviated septum, making it a very widespread condition.

Interested in Any of the Above?

If you have any insecurities like those listed above, or any further questions about a procedure, you can schedule a consultation with us online or call 647-723-3739 to speak with a member of our clinic. Toronto Plastic Surgeons Wellness Centre is dedicated to helping and will work with you to find the treatment that works best for you and your needs.

Posted by:

Dr. Stephen Mulholland, Md

Dr. Stephen Mulholland has been practicing plastic surgery for over 20 years. He is one of Canada’s most renowned and best plastic surgeons in Toronto with his wealth of experience, artistry, and humbleness towards his patients.

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