As the desire for cosmetic improvement and a more youthful appearance does not exclude men, the amount of male patients seeking plastic surgery continues to grow. The most important distinction between cosmetic surgery for men versus women is the ability to achieve optimal aesthetic enhancement while preserving a masculine appearance. This critical balance is one that Charleston plastic surgeons Craig Rowin, MD and Ram Kalus, MD pay particular attention to and take immense pride in achieving.
The procedures most commonly requested by the younger male patient include chin enhancement surgery, rhinoplasty, correction of gynecomastia (excessive breast tissue) and liposuction—usually of the abdomen and flanks. Not infrequently, liposuction may also be sought out to address fullness of the neck below the chin. For the middle-aged or older man, the most popular procedures include rejuvenation of the eyelids, face, and neck. Depending on your needs and cosmetic goals, this may require a complete facelift, or a more limited procedure primarily concentrating on improvement in the neck. Through intent discussion of your aesthetic desires and reasons for considering surgery, your surgeon can help you determine which treatments can help you attain your ideal physique.
Male breast reduction is a cosmetic procedure designed to treat gynecomastia, a condition seen in men of all ages wherein normal male breast tissue appears enlarged. While the condition is quite common, the visibility of male breasts has been known to cause significant psychological and emotional distress for individuals who must contend with gynecomastia. In addition to a loss of confidence and a negative self-image, gynecomastia patients can experience self-consciousness or embarrassment in situations that require shirt removal. The impact of these stressors is often a diminished quality of life. Male breast reduction can typically alleviate these concerns by extracting excess breast or fatty tissue to restore the flat, masculine contours of the chest.
This procedure is performed to provide a natural-looking outcome with minimized post-surgical scarring.
This is one of the most common aesthetic procedures requested by men to correct the eyelid hooding that can contribute to a fatigued appearance, as well as obscure light and vision as a result of overhanging upper eyelid skin. Utilizing techniques that can avoid an unnaturally smooth and wrinkle-free appearance is most critical in performing eyelid rejuvenation surgery for the male patient. Our team is particularly attentive in making certain that the improvement is significant, yet leaves an individual with an “unoperated” appearance.
The brow lift procedure for men is distinctly different than it is for women. A male patient with a brow that is too elevated can easily cause an unnatural or artificial appearance. This is something our plastic surgeons take great care in avoiding at all costs. Severe sagging or drooping of the brow can often be accompanied by heavy eyelids as well. We therefore make every effort to carefully assess the brow and eyelids, both together and separately. If a brow lift is indicated, this can be performed either through a small incision in the natural crease of the lateral forehead or in the scalp.
The nose is the central focal point of the face. As such, nasal proportions can be enhanced to bring the rest of your facial features into balance and achieve an optimal aesthetic result. Similar to other cosmetic procedures for men, an important factor in male rhinoplasty is to preserve a masculine appearance and avoid a look that is too stylized or includes an “upturned” nasal tip. A male nose differs from a female nose in that a modest hump or straight nasal dorsal line is often more acceptable. Special attention is paid to the details that distinguish a man’s nose from a woman’s, and precise surgical techniques combined with an artistic eye can help ensure optimal patient satisfaction.
An adequately projecting chin can be extremely important in the male face to imply strength and confidence. If the relationship to the teeth is proper, a chin augmentation can be performed either through a small incision inside the mouth (with no resulting external visible scar) or a small external incision under the chin. Chin augmentation for men is commonly combined with a neck lift and the under-the-chin incision can work well for both procedures. Implant materials vary, but most are commonly made from either porous polyethylene (MEDPOR®), a synthetic bone-like material, or a firm silicone material that is slightly softer.
Liposuction is known to be an extremely effective procedure that allows men to eliminate stubborn fat pockets around the body. In the face, liposuction is often performed under the chin to improve the neck contour. It can be performed as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination with other surgeries, including a facelift or chin augmentation. In the body, it is most commonly performed in the chest, abdomen, or flanks with a high degree of patient satisfaction. An elastic compression garment is worn for a period of time post-operatively to help ensure proper recontouring of the overlying skin.
If you have any questions about our many surgical and non-surgical procedures, our team would be happy to meet with you personally to discuss your concerns. Please contact our practice today at (843) 881-3881 for a confidential consultation.
Our Mt. Pleasant plastic surgery practice is looking for an experienced CMA to join our team in a full time position. If you are a self starter who take initiative and enjoys working with patients, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your resume to jacque@plasticsurgerycarolina.com
