Plastic surgery for men is quite popular. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 289,000 procedures such as nose reshaping or liposuction were performed in 2020. This does not count an additional 820,123 minimally invasive procedures such as Botox treatments or laser treatments for leg veins.
With so much investment in plastic surgery for men, here’s why—and some insight into the best treatment options, costs, and complications.
What plastic surgery do guys do?
In 2020, the top surgical procedures for men reported by the Aesthetic Society, an organization of board-certified plastic surgeons, were:
Plastic surgery for men accounts for more than 8% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States and Britain.
Plastic surgery statistics for men
Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) is on the rise, especially in certain age groups. A 2020 study from Denmark looked at the diagnosis over 20 years and found a fivefold increase in incidence in young men aged 16 to 20.
Their older counterparts living with gynecomastia, aged 61 to 80, were diagnosed at a rate 11 times higher than when the survey began in 1998.
The authors note that there may be several reasons for the increase, including an increase in obesity. What they also make clear is that body image and aesthetic concerns are a driver of why more men are seeking breast reduction surgery.
Male breast reduction is one of many cosmetic procedures for men with popularity that changes over time. For example, the ASPS has noted a 1,616 percent increase in cheek implants, called malar augmentations, since 2000.
They have seen a 445% increase in lip augmentation in the same 20 years, along with large increases in thigh and lower body lifts, a surgery often used to tighten the abdomen after weight loss.
On the other hand, hair transplant numbers are down 84% from 2000 to 2020.
Can plastic surgery make a man more attractive?
Male cosmetic surgery often improves a sense of body image and with it a new and more positive outlook on life. Keep in mind that overall health is important, and plastic surgery for men can also be a strategy to reduce back pain, improve vision, or even find an unknown underlying health condition, such as a metabolic disorder.
Body enhancement procedures for men
Skin rejuvenation, such as photorejuvenation procedures based on pulsed light, remains popular among men. So are skin care procedures like laser hair removal and Botox.
Liposuction, a common plastic surgery to remove men’s “love handles,” can provide quick results, but there is the downside of cost and risk associated with elective surgery.
One obstacle to surgery is that “plastic” changes may seem like they are not “earned” through exercise and a disciplined lifestyle. People may also have unrealistic expectations of physical end results or as a solution to life challenges arising from other issues.
Cost of male cosmetic surgery
Costs vary depending on the type of cosmetic surgery you receive, the fees charged by surgical team members, and where you have a procedure performed.
You can shop around for good deals, but remember to have a properly qualified cosmetic surgeon working in an established healthcare practice.
Here are the average costs of some plastic surgeries for men in 2020:
- Liposuction: $2,584
- Male breast reduction: $4,622
- Blepharoplasty: $2,996
- Nose surgery: $4,925
- Tummy tuck: $6,622
- Lip enhancement $2,767
- Botox (neurotoxin) treatment $408
Possible complications of plastic surgery
Elective cosmetic surgery, like any surgery, has risks as well as benefits. The anesthesia and sedation required for a procedure will carry risks that may include an abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, and stroke.
Some procedures, such as liposuction, can cause scarring, infection, and numbness due to the procedure itself.
Unlicensed and untrained providers who offer anesthesia and surgery present a risk. So do those who are not well regulated in the field of aesthetics or who practice in unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
Get the best cosmetic surgery treatment
If you decide to have cosmetic surgery, it’s important to do your research. Find a health care provider who is properly qualified, specialized and affiliated with a hospital or clinic.
Also, consider these recommendations:
- Be realistic about the outcome of the surgery.
- Make sure you understand the risks involved.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol before surgery to maximize healing.
- Be as fit and healthy as possible before surgery
- Seek advice about the risks of elective surgery if you are taking any medication, are overweight or have ongoing health problems or conditions.
