Cosmetic surgery for men
Cosmetic surgery is no longer the domain of women looking for the perfect face or body. In January this year, statistics from The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons revealed a seven per cent increase in the number of men going under the knife.
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So what's available and what's involved? Here are a few of the most popular types of surgery for men.
'Moob' jobs
Male breast reduction (or Gynaecomastia, to give it its proper name) has become popular with men who are self-conscious about their 'man boobs'. Just as with women, the surgery is done under general anaesthetic. Commonly, an incision is made just below the nipple and excess fat from the chest area is removed using a cannula. Depending on the amount of fat that is removed, the procedure takes about one to two hours and patients usually stay overnight to recover.
Post-op, some swelling and bruising is to be expected and it is generally advisable to take around 10 days off work. After two weeks, the swelling should be subsiding and within six weeks you can be back in the gym.
Weight loss surgery
Just as many women have turned to weight loss surgery to lose excess pounds, men too are increasingly turning to liposuction and tummy tucks in search of a better physique.
Liposuction is particularly popular among those who have succumbed to a 'beer belly' or middle-aged spread. This relatively simple procedure can be done under either local or general anaesthetic. Simply put, the fat is sucked from a specified location using a cannula. In some cases, where there is a large amount of fat that needs to be removed, two sessions may be required.
Patients are usually discharged on the same day. You may need to wear a special rightly wrapped garment, designed to minimise swelling and encourage the skin to retract, but you should expect some swelling and soreness after the op. Typically it is possible to return to your daily routine after two weeks but don't attempt anything strenuous for six weeks. And remember - if you don't eat a healthy diet and get some exercise, you'll soon be back to your original rotund shape.
Facial surgery
These days, it's possible to rejuvenate a tired-looking face, reshape ears, noses and jaw, and even have cheek or chin implants to give you that perfect profile.
The length of the procedure and recovery times obviously vary depending on just how much you want done. A full facelift, for example, will require two weeks rest and a good six weeks before your new face settles completely.
Opt for an eyebag removal procedure, where excess skin and fatty tissue is removed from under the lower eyelid, commonly takes two weeks from op to recovery with 10 days at home to allow the swelling to subside. The same can be said for rhinoplasty (nose job) and otoplasty (ear reshaping).
Hair transplants
Increasingly popular with celebs such as Gordon Ramsay and Wayne Rooney, a hair transplant can once again give you that full head of hair.
Usually performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, it involves a micro grafting technique where your own hair is taken from the back and sides of your head and grafted onto the balding area. Depending on the number of grafts needed, the procedure can take anywhere from two to four hours.
The grafted hair often falls out in the two weeks after the surgery but this is to be expected. New hair should appear after about three months and should grow just as it did before hair loss occurred.
Cosmetic surgery is not something to rush into. If you are considering a procedure, always go to a reputable surgeon and have a consultation so that you are fully aware of what is involved and any potential risks.
Have you tried cosmetic surgery and was it worth it? Leave your comments below...
