Cosmetic Surgery for men

Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular for men, who like women, want to perfect imperfections and delay signs of ageing where possible.

Some men find themselves frustrated that despite hard work at the gym, the toned abdomen or calves they have worked towards just don’t develop and this is where surgery can help. For others, surgery can put right the little things that have been not quite right like wanting a better nose shape or neater ears.

Chest reduction for men (gynaecomastia)

What is it?

The term "gynaecomastia" is used to indicate the presence of a mammary gland unusually developed in males. Men can also find an excess of fat in their chest area which can be the source of embarrassment and discomfort.

How is it done?

The treatment of gynaecomastia is usually surgical and is based on the removal of the mammary tissue, the adipose tissue and, sometimes, the excess skin. Through this kind of surgery, it is possible to give the thorax a toned and natural appearance. The operation takes 1 – 2 hours and is usually performed under general anesthetic.

Recovery

Immediately after the operation, you will be required to wear a small bandage across the chest area and rest in bed for 48 hours. After 7 – 10 days you will be able to return to work and two weeks after the operation you can resume normal life including sporting activities.

(Please see FAQ section for more details)

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

What is it?

Abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as the tummy tuck is a very popular procedure that involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the upper and lower part of the abdomen and the tightening of the muscles from the abdominal wall. The tummy tuck can significantly improve the appearance of a low-slung and/or protruding stomach by removing the excess skin, fatty deposits and tightening up the flabby abdominal muscles.

It is effective for those people who despite diet and exercise are unable to shift fatty deposits from around the stomach or looseness of skin around the abdominal wall. It is popular with women post-pregnancy and also with men and women who have shed considerable weight through dieting and are left with excess skin around the stomach.

How is it done?

An incision is made just above the pubic area which means that the small scar made will be hidden from sight. The operation takes up to 3 hours and is performed under general anesthetic during which time excess skin and fatty tissue around the abdomen area will be removed.

It is not uncommon for this to be performed in conjunction with liposuction.

Recovery

For 48 hours after the operation, you will need to rest, flexing your legs and keeping your back raised. From day 3, you will be able to resume normal life avoiding tiring activities. After 7 – 10 days you will be able to return to work as long as it is not excessively tiring. From week 3, you can be back to all normal activities including sport.

Hair transplant

What is it?

A hair transplant is a surgical operation which allows the transfer of a certain amount of hair bulbs of the patient himself from one area of the scalp to another.

How is it done?

The hair transplant operation consists in excising a strip of the scalp, taken from the occipital region, and in re-implanting the single hair bulbs, accurately selected, in the areas to be transplanted.

The treatment is normally performed under local anesthetic, lasts a few hours and is absolutely painless.

Recovery

The operation does not require any kind of dressing and the patient can resume all his normal activities within 48 hours.

The cosmetic result achievable by hair transplant is natural, long-lasting and repeatable.

Calf and buttock implants

What is it?

For people who feel they would like to increase the size and shape of their lower legs or buttocks, surgery can increase the volume of these parts of the body using implants which produce effective, natural-looking results. Sometimes, fat will be taken from one part of the body and transferred to the area being operated on as an alternative to using an artificial substance.

How is it done?

Both operations are done under general anesthetic or under local anesthetic with sedation and last between 1 and 2 hours ending with a compressive dressing.

Small incisions are made behind the knee (for the calf reshaping) and in the intergluteal fold (for buttock reshaping). Scars will be invisible after a few months.

Recovery

For 48 hours after the operation, you will need to rest. From day 3, you will be able to resume normal life avoiding tiring activities. After 7 – 10 days you will be able to return to work (as long as it is not excessively tiring). From week 3, you can be back to all normal activities including sport.

(Please see FAQ section for more details)

Liposuction and liposculpture

What is it?

Liposuction also known as body contouring surgery, can sculpt the body through the removal of deposits of fat from specific areas such as the abdomen, thighs, knees, chin and the neck.

Liposculpture makes use of ‘mircocannulas’ to sculpt very selected areas of the body. Whilst neither one of these procedures can replace diet or exercise, they allow the removal of fat that would not be removed otherwise. They are not techniques for weight loss but for contouring the body.

How is it done?

The procedure is performed under general anesthetic or local anesthetic with sedation and its duration varies from patient to patient according to the area or areas being treated.

A small incision is made at the site where the fat is being removed and are made in the folds and the grooves of the body so that they are completely invisible.

Recovery

There can be some discomfort following the procedure which eases after a few days. You will be required to wear an elasticated bandage over your body for the first few weeks after your operation.

You will need to rest in bed for 48 hours after your operation and after 4 to 5 days you will be able to resume work (as long as it is not too tiring). You may experience some puffiness around the treated area. From week 3, you can be back to all normal activities including sport.

(Please see FAQ section for more details)

Ear reshaping (otoplasty)

What is it?

Otoplasty otherwise known as ear reshaping is a surgical procedure that can modify the shape, size and base of the ears which can improve the appearance and most crucially the self-esteem of an individual.

Otoplasty allows for the repositioning and the contouring of prominent ears (sometimes referred to as jug-ears), the correction of congenital or post-traumatic defects (absence or partial loss of the ear etc.) and damage from radical operations such as the removal of a tumour.

How is it done?

Otoplasty is normally performed in outpatient care and the operation takes around two hours under local anesthetic and sedation. Children are operated on under general anesthetic.

Recovery

After the operation you will be required to wear a turban-like dressing and keep your head raised for around 48 hours. After 3 – 4 days you will be able to return to work and after two weeks all normal activities can be resumed including sport.

(Please see FAQ section for more details)

Facelift (rhytidectomy)

What is it?

The cervicofacial lift known as face rejuvenation surgery is very much in demand by our patients. It enables the face to look younger and can give a fresher, improved appearance to the skin without changing the individuals distinctive features in any way. A good facelift should give natural-looking results and enhance existing features.

A face-lift can help combat damage caused by the sun, pollution, ageing, poor diet and stress. Most patients undergoing this form of surgery are aged between 40 and 60 but good results can also be achieved on patients closer to 70 or even 80.

How is it done?

The operation, performed under general anesthetic will take between 2 and 3 hours during which time your surgeon will make a series of small incisions which will be hidden by the hair and the ears. The incisions will allow the surgeon to remove excess skin from the neck, chin and cheek areas.

On occasions, liposuction of the neck area may also be performed in order to improve the appearance of the whole face and general profile.

Recovery

After the operation, you will be required to wear a dressing and rest, keeping the head slightly lifted. You may experience swelling in the first two days but from day three, you will be able to resume normal activities within reason. After seven days, your stitches will be removed. Initially your face will be quite swollen but this will abate after week three.

(Please see FAQ section for more details)

Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)

What is it?

Rhinoplasty also known as nose contouring surgery allows the shape and size of the nose to be modified, subtly improving the features of the patient’s face but without distorting its appearance.

Surgery can: increase or decrease the size of the nose, change the shape of the dorsum (saddle or hump) and of the tip (if too wide, too narrow or too long). The width of the nostrils can also be modified and the angle between the brow and the nose or between the nose and the upper lip can be changed.

Congenital and post-traumatic defects can also be corrected as can breathing difficulties if caused by a nasal problem.

How is it done?

Following meticulous pre-operation examinations, the operation takes place under general anesthetic and lasts around an hour. Small incisions are made inside the nasal cavities so are hidden from view.

Recovery

The patient will be required to wear a small plaster on the nose for up to seven days but there will be no visible scarring. Results will be visible after two weeks and fully evident in a matter of months.

(Please see FAQ section for more details)