Plastic Surgery Procedures for Men, Tailored to Their Unique Needs

The face of plastic surgery is changing. Procedures to improve appearance and confidence have never been more common or widely-accepted among men. While male patients can benefit from many of the same treatments as their female counterparts, there is no denying men and women generally have anatomical differences and different goals from treatment. Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Edmund Kwan, understands this and is experienced with developing treatment plans that incorporate these differences. Such experience and skill results in plastic surgery for men that effectively addresses each patient’s unique challenges and features, and gets desirable outcomes – a more youthful, vigorous and healthier-looking you.

Putting your best face forward

The most common men’s plastic surgery procedures are facial in nature: rhinoplasties to reshape the nose and blepharoplasties to awaken the eyes. Generally, women’s skin is thinner than men’s, so the effects of aging may be noticeable earlier among female patients; for instance, women may have visible crow’s feet around their eyes starting in the mid-20s. Men may not notice such effects for another 5 to 10 years. While the effects of aging show up later a man’s face, changes can be quite dramatic; for example, large and thick furrows around the eyes may need to be improved with a surgical eyelift. Often, Edmund Kwan, MD’s male patients first notice forehead frown lines that can be quite deep. A brow lift may be recommended and combined with blepharoplasty to correct bags or furrows above and under the eyes. Likewise, nonsurgical treatments like Botox prevent expression lines from arising in the first place or minimize the appearance of existing wrinkles. Injectable Botox relaxes the muscle, so it’s can’t contract and make worry or frown lines. As the skin moves with the muscles every time you show disdain, concern, or anger, that repeated movement can add up to permanent or static lines across the forehead.

Symmetry is a characteristic shared by both attractive men and attractive women. Yet, Dr. Kwan knows the differences between characteristics male patients generally covet versus those female patients perceive as desirable. Likewise, male plastic surgery like a facelift naturally differs because men tend to have comparatively stronger ligaments and supportive tissues, larger faces and bulkier necks, and more vascular skin than women. While women may ask their surgeons to create a more delicate nose or less masculine chin, men frequently request more rugged features, such as: The most natural and desirable results come from specialists like Dr. Kwan who restore strong, chiseled features and a prominent, defined jawline among patients with age-related changes. He can achieve the look you’ve always wanted. These results may be achieved with either a needle or scalpel. Injectable dermal fillers can add volume in the tear troughs and upper cheek, correcting that gaunt or hollowed-out appearance that many men complain about as they get older or as the result of intense exercise regimens. Dr. Kwan can also inject a small quantity of fat into the sunken upper eyelids or in the lower eyelid region where prominent wrinkles form.

Boosting your body confidence

The fastest-growing procedures for men have to do with body contouring and include liposuction and abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck). Sex-specific fat refers to differences between how men and women gain weight. Women are prone to storing fat around the hips and thighs, whereas Dr. Kwan’s male patients often dislike their potbellies and love handles. Visceral or abdominal fat is restocked at least as fast as it’s depleted.

Such stubborn and localized fat may be reduced with liposuction for men. Fat accessed through very small incisions is suctioned out through a hollow tube or cannula. When fat in this area is removed, the thick and elastic skin shrinks down and conforms nicely to most men’s newfound lean and athletic contours.

If you’re among those men with laxity caused by significant weight loss, you may be a better candidate for abdominoplasty. Liposuction on its own doesn’t tighten loose skin. Tummy tucks for men are versatile; excess fat and skin may be removed and weakened or separated muscles may be restored for a smoother, firmer six pack. Liposuction may be combined with abdominoplasty to improve love handles. Both procedures are suitable for men who have consistently been at or near their healthy goal weight. Those with substantial intra-abdominal fat can benefit from diet and exercise or weight loss surgeries.

Gynecomastia surgery

There have never been more breast reduction surgeries for men. Male patients frequently request this treatment due to enlarged breast tissue or gynecomastia. This condition often peaks at around the ages of 50 to 80 due to age-related hormonal swings. Some men may also have a genetic propensity to develop larger or more prominently-shaped breasts. Prescription and non-prescription medications can also throw hormones out-of-whack, resulting in excess breast tissue. It’s estimated that up to half of American men will have some degree of gynecomastia in their lifetimes.

Liposuction may be recommended after discussing factors such as potential underlying medical conditions, risk factors, and medications. After you’re comfortable, small incisions are made on both sides of the chest at the edge of the areola or in the armpit. Excess fat is removed through these tiny incisions.

Men with more severe cases of gynecomastia, including stretching and laxity around the breasts, may benefit from reduction mammoplasty. A larger amount of glandular tissue and skin are removed via incisions located around the areola or in natural chest creases. The areola itself may be reduced and the nipple repositioned for more natural contours. Techniques can be combined, depending on what’s causing your gynecomastia and the degree of desired improvement.

Improved confidence awaits

There are limitations to addressing nuances between men and women. Ultimately, there is only one you. All treatments start with a personalized consultation. Call to schedule yours at one of Edmund Kwan, MD’s three locations in Manhattan, Queens and Fort Lee, NJ.