Handsome man with facial hair

Many men suffer insecurities about their physical appearance or may even suffer health problems as a result of issues like droopy eyelids. There are a variety of cosmetic procedures/plastic surgery for men that can help alleviate these problems, improving self-esteem, self-image, and quality of life.

Blepharoplasties, rhinoplasties, and body sculpting procedures are among the most popular types of plastic surgery for men. Below, we will provide a brief overview of each.

Blepharoplasty

A blepharoplasty is a procedure that improves droopy or sagging of the eyelids. Over time, eyelids can become lax and redundant as the skin loses elasticity, and this can both be a cosmetic concern and inhibit peripheral vision if the problem is severe enough. 

Procedure

During a blepharoplasty, your surgeon will inject numbing medication into the eyelids and if desired, you may receive intravenous medication to help you remain relaxed.

Surgeries vary depending on patient needs. In most cases, your surgeon will treat the upper lid first by making an incision along the fold of your eyelid and then remove excess skin. In some cases, excess fat and/or muscle can also be removed. Then your surgeon will address the lower eyelids, which can be more complex. In many cases, bulging fat will be repositioned to deal with lower lid puffiness and hollowness all at once.

Recovery

On the night after surgery, you should apply ice packs on your eyes every 10 minutes to manage swelling and pain. You will need to continue applying ice packs the following day, usually between four to five times. Your surgeon should give you specific instructions based on your individual needs.

Swelling, blurred vision, double vision, and light sensitivity are common after surgery and should resolve on their own.

While aftercare instructions may differ from patient to patient, one often needs to:

  • Use prescribed ointments to clean their eyes
  • Sleep with their heads slightly elevated
  • Avoid rubbing the eyes
  • Refrain from exercise for at least a week

Recovery lasts between 10 to 14 days, at which point swelling should subside and you can resume daily activities.

Risks

A blepharoplasty is considered a low-risk procedure, although some patients experience mild side effects like swelling, irritation, and pain. These should resolve on their own and typically do not require treatment.

In rare cases, you may experience more prolonged complications such as dry eye, or lid malpositioning. Even these issues usually resolve without treatment other than hydrating eyedrops. Like any surgery, symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heart pain, severe eye pain or bleeding require immediate medical attention.

Rhinoplasty

Often called a “nose job,” a rhinoplasty alters the size and shape of your nose. Rhinoplasties vary a lot from patient to patient depending on the extent of desired changes and characteristics of your original nose. Substantial changes require lengthier surgery, while those who only want minor adjustments could potentially qualify for a non-surgical rhinoplasty that uses dermal fillers to reshape the nose.

The Process

Before undergoing a rhinoplasty, you will have a consultation with a surgeon to discuss your goals. There are different types of rhinoplasties depending on the changes you wish to make.

The main types of rhinoplasties include:

  • Open Rhinoplasty: The best option for seeking dramatic results. During an open rhinoplasty your surgeon makes several incisions around the nose, its tip, and its nostrils to completely reshape the nasal structure. This allows for direct access to the tip cartilages and allows for the most precise alterations.
  • Closed Rhinoplasty: A good choice if you are seeking minor adjustments. During a closed rhinoplasty your surgeon only makes minimal incisions from within the nostrils. This technique is good for alterations to the nasal dorsum, but does not give as much control for tip changes.

There are many nuances to the two types of rhinoplasties listed above including various types of cartilage grafting and maneuvers using cartilage bone and soft tissue. A skilled surgeon can get your nose much closer to your desired appearance with these various techniques.

The Recovery

As types of rhinoplasty vary, so does the recovery period. Your surgeon should walk you through your specific recovery path.

Dressings and splints are typically removed within seven days. For a few weeks after surgery, you will need to refrain from strenuous physical activity. Your surgeon may also advise that you:

  • Do not blow your nose
  • Avoid eyeglasses and sunglasses
  • Try not to smile or laugh too often
  • Eat a high-fiber diet (helps with post-surgical constipation)
  • No nose picking! 🙂

Risks

Patients may experience complications such as scarring or poor wound healing, numbness near the treatment area, difficulty breathing, nose bleeds or infections. The overall rate of complications is low, but contact your surgeon if you experience any issues after surgery.

In rare cases, a rhinoplasty can result in a hole forming in the nasal septum, which usually requires follow-up treatment.

Body Sculpting

Body sculpting is an umbrella term. It refers to a variety of procedures that reshape the body by reducing fat or contouring specific areas such as the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen, or by adding volume to specific areas via implant or fat grafting such as the pecs, glutes, or any other muscle group. This can include both surgical procedures like liposuction and fat grafting as well as non-invasive treatments.

Body sculpting is often used to help patients overcome plateaus associated with diet and exercise. Most procedures require you to be near your ideal body weight and are not intended to help with weight loss.

Surgical Procedures

There are a variety of surgical procedures that could be considered a form of body sculpting, but liposuction and fat grafting are among the most popular.

Liposuction is intended to remove fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision and then remove fat via suction.

Fat grafting starts with liposuction, but the removed fat is then purified and reinjected into another part of the body. Unwanted fat from one area is used to reshape and sculpt another area. For example, your surgeon may remove a fat deposit from the abdomen and use it to fill out the pecs.

Recovery

After fat transfer or liposuction, patients usually have to wear a compression garment. Talk to your surgeon about the precise aftercare instructions for you, including cleaning and maintaining dressings and compression garments.

You can resume most non-strenuous daily activities within one to two weeks, but most surgeons recommend you refrain from strenuous exercise for up to six weeks after surgery. Significant swelling should subside within a three to five weeks, but mild swelling may persist longer, so you may not see full results for several months.

Risks

Immediately after surgery, you may notice minor side effects like bruising or swelling, which should subside on their own over time. Not uncommonly, small seromas can form during the healing process which may necessitate aspiration. In rare cases, more serious complications may occur such as infection that require medical treatment, thankfully the infection associated with liposuction is exceptionally rare. Fluid resuscitation or blood transfusion may also be necessary in very large liposuction cases. For this reason, vary large cases are often done in a hospital setting.

Sometimes, contour irregularities can occur, which may need to be corrected with follow-up surgery.

Plastic Surgery for Men: The Bottom Line

These are only a few examples of plastic surgery options for men. There are many other choices out there, so make sure to do your research before deciding on a procedure. The right choice can help you address insecurities and improve your self-esteem.

Ready to get started? Leif Rogers is an Ivy League-educated, board-certified plastic surgeon and a standing member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. If you’re considering any of the above procedures, get in touch with his team to schedule a consultation.


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