Men and plastic surgery

Dr Dimitrios Triantafyllou, Head of the Plastic Surgery Department at GENESIS Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece explains how the taboos surrounding plastic surgery procedures in men have now been overcome and details the choices available to men who wish to renew their image.

Plastic surgery is most commonly associated with women, who are always seeking the antidote to ageing, the fountain of youth.  Eternal youth is no longer just a dream limited to women, however.  It also represents an ambitious goal for men, who have now realised that beauty can be acquired. The reality, therefore, is that male interest in cosmetic surgery is continuously increasing, and more and more men are prepared to go under the knife in order to improve their appearance. Although exact data is not available in Greece, in the USA more than 500,000 men underwent procedures for cosmetic reasons in 2017, representing approximately 12% of the total number of procedures carried out that year.

Most popular procedures

Liposuction (Liposculpting)

Men usually undergo liposuction to remove love handles around the waist and stomach areas, regions where fat is not reduced, even with intensive exercise. It is a popular procedure in young and middle-aged men.

Gynecomastia

Although the term seems scary, gynecomastia simply refers to increased development of the male breast. This is due to enlargement of the breast gland (in teenagers), the increased collection of adipose tissue, or a combination of both factors. In many groups of men, for example in the military, boy scouts, etc., studies have shown that the incidence of gynecomastia reaches up to 35%. Surgery to correct gynecomastia creates a more 'masculine' appearance and greatly boosts self-esteem.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is carried out to aesthetically improve the appearance of the nose. It can be paired, where necessary, with deviated septum repair, turbinate cautery or repair of the nasal valve. The procedure is suitable for men over the age of 18.

Blepharoplasty

Bags around the eyes are quite annoying, as they “add years,” making the face appear tired and weary. Candidates for surgical correction of eyebags (blepharoplasty) are usually men over the age of 45 who wish to rejuvenate the eye area, acquiring a more relaxed and at the same time dynamic gaze.

Facelift (rhytidectomy)

Many men are now undergoing facelift, compared to the past. The procedure is most commonly chosen by men aged between 55 and 60 to repair facial sagging.  

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is usually performed on overweight individuals, who have undergone a strict diet and loss of weight which results in an “apron” being created around the stomach that needs to be removed.

Genitals

Interest in genital plastic surgery mainly exists in lengthening (contrary to popular belief, this pertains mainly to the flaccid state as opposed to the erect state) and thickening of the penis.

With regard to conservative therapies such as Botox for the removal of wrinkles on the forehead, hyaluronic acid fillers, laser facial treatments and laser hair removal, these are now regarded as routine therapies for men.

In conclusion, the relationship between plastic surgery and the male population is a reality, a relationship that is becoming closer with each passing day. Indeed, despite the fact that men seemingly appear unconcerned about the matter, they are in fact already its most enthusiastic fans,

About GENESIS Hospital

Based in Thessaloniki, Greece, GENESIS Hospital is a specialist women's hospital with an Independent Plastic Surgery Department that provides a comprehensive range of procedures from a renowned team of specialist plastic surgeons. With 5 operating rooms, 5 day-care beds and 4 patient rooms with two single beds, and equipped with the latest technology, the department is committed to offering high quality cosmetic care for women and men at affordable prices.