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Archive for the ‘Men’ Category

When Men Can Benefit from Tummy Tuck Surgery

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Reading about tummy tuck surgery, you might mistakenly believe that only women undergo the procedure. But in fact, males who have experienced dramatic changes in body weight are often good candidates.

It is unfortunate that such men hesitate to speak with doctors about this procedure. One man who documented his experience online said he even perceived a “stigma or shame associated with male tummy tucks,” saying he was “initially embarrassed” when he first made inquiries about the operation.

A good surgeon will offer experience and specific advice about the tummy tuck on a male patient. In the online forum RealSelf.com, a man asks about abdominoplasty:

I’m dealing with loose skin after a 50 lbs weight loss in my teens. I’ve totally transformed and I’m very athletic with well-defined abs, but have [skin] laxity mostly below the navel and around the lower back. The problem areas are very localized and I hide it under the belt line with no one suspecting I was obese. But I feel “unfinished.” The front skin is very thin and hangs, the back is mostly smooth. Is there a tummy tuck technique that would excise the abdominal skin and provide modest tightening in the lower back?

Virginia plastic surgeon Chris Hess, answers, “even though we (men) tend to have better skin tone than women, we can still end up with excess skin due to skin memory. It sounds like you could undergo a mild excision of the excess tissue – less than a mini tummy tuck.”

However, in cases where the male patient has experienced a greater weight reduction, the full tummy tuck may be recommended. Dr. Angelo Cuzalina, an Oklahoma cosmetic surgeon writes “Do not hesitate to use a full abdominoplasty for a male patient with extreme skin laxity. Men tend to heal better than women after abdominoplasty.”

A comprehensive approach such as this may be optimal in many cases to provide satisfactory results. “You really need to treat [men] circumferentially, all the way around, because if you ask most men what bothers them, it’s the ‘love handles,’ and that goes all the way around to the back” said Dr. Alan Matarasso in the publication Cosmetic Surgery Times

Clearly, many plastic and cosmetic surgeons can offer specific advice for men considering abdominoplasty. If you think you might benefit from the procedure, don’t hesitate to ask a qualified surgeon for more details.

Get the Facts About Male Breast Tissue and Gynecomastia

Friday, May 8th, 2009

gynecomastiaEvidently, common attitudes and perceptions regarding male breasts have changed; what was once a relatively obscure condition is now approaching the level of pop culture phenomenon.

Journalist Finlo Rohrer of the BBC suggests that tabloid scrutinization of celebrities – has popularized the concept of ‘man boobs.’ During the summer of 06, Tony Blair and UK conservative party leader, David Cameron, were pictured shirtless, which led several media outlets to “comment on their moobs.” Other media, such as the popular blog manboobs.uk, poke fun at the concept.  According to Rorher, attitudes like these may cause more men to seek the help of a plastic surgeon.

So what is the deal with male breasts? Here are a few things you might not know:

  • Gynecomastia that forms breast tissue in males, is a relatively common condition, often mistaken for simple excess fat. It can affect newborns, pubescent boys, and adults. While it isn’t serious (unless it is a sign of something else), it can be painful and embarrassing.
  • While obesity will often cause a condition of excess breast tissue, real gynecomastia is caused by a hormone imbalance. In either case, surgery can alleviate the symptoms.
  • Illegal drugs like marijuana and anabolic steroids can cause gynecomastia. Medications that are used during treatment for prostate cancer are also to blame.
  • Gynecomastia may also be caused by genetic conditions like Klinefelter’s Syndrome.
  • Surgery isn’t the only option: in cases of pubertal gynecomastia, the condition will often disappear over time or when puberty is over. Other cases have shown improvement without any interventions; one case published in the June 2008 issue of Endocrine Practices documents a rare case of bilateral gynecomastia in a 60 year old man. The patient’s examination results were normal, but he reported a daily intake of 3 qts soy milk. Once the patient ceased his intake of soy milk, his condition improved and his hormone imbalance was resolved.

Underlying issues like hormone imbalance and obesity should always be addressed.  After that point, many patients opt for surgery to restore a natural masculine appearance. If you are interested in learning more about male breast reduction, contact us for a consultation.

Men less inclined toward cosmetic surgery in tough economy

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Cosmetic procedures on men declined 2 percent last year, while the number of procedures done on women increased by 29 percent, according to statistics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

“For the time being, males and females are beginning to separate themselves in regards to cosmetic surgery,” said AACS president Dr. Patrick McMenamin. According to Dr. McMenamin, women’s acceptance or willingness to try non-invasive cosmetic procedures like dermal fillers, Botox and laser treatments, may explain the percentage gap.

More widespread economic trends could be a more primary cause. In February, The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that men lost 2.7 million jobs since the start of the recession – a figure that represents 82 percent of the total number of jobs lost.