More men are making trips to plastic surgeons' offices around the nation than ever before. As cosmetic surgery in general has become both more common and more socially acceptable, men seem to be taking longer looks in the mirror and getting on board with the idea that a nip here or a tuck there might not be such a bad idea.
A general consensus has emerged that men's increased interest in their appearances coincides with a tightening job market and the dominance of social media as a communication tool. Teleconferences and online dating put a premium on looks, and men have decided to step up their game.
The majority of men who choose to get aesthetic enhancement procedures opt for the minimally invasive treatments, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic injections or nonsurgical skin care. But for the men getting plastic surgery, the most popular procedure isn't rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, or any other facial enhancement treatment...It's liposuction. The interest in sculpting areas of the body through liposuction stems from having similar frustrations to women: spending hours exercising, watching what they eat, and still being unable to eliminate love handles or overly large pockets of fat.
"Although liposuction cannot be considered a 'weight loss method,' it can sculpt the body, particularly the abdomen, for a sleeker, more masculine appearance," says Dr. Gus Galante, a liposuction specialist with offices in Valparaiso and Schererville, Indiana. With Dr. Galante's patients, the goal is "to have tighter and more sculpted abs, and to eliminate love handles. Liposuction is an excellent choice for these outcomes, particularly if the man has good skin that will 'bounce back' after the fat has been removed."
Liposuction is the most common for men and women alike, too. That's according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), who reported that men went in for more than 50,000 liposuction procedures in 2015. And that's not even counting male breast reduction, which often includes liposuction to treat gynecomastia. Add those in, and liposuction is a part of nearly half the procedures men decide to undergo.
"As plastic surgery is becoming more common and accepted in men, we’re seeing more of them undergo procedures to tighten and tone problem areas, like the breasts," says Dr.David Song, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). "This procedure is often done in younger men who face genetic challenges with the size and shape of their breasts, and when appropriate, surgery can make a big difference in their lives."
Liposuction's extensive track record appeals to men who want dramatic results. Nonsurgical fat reduction treatments, such as CoolSculpting®, don't produce the degree of results that are possible through liposuction.
Even though liposuction is a surgical procedure, it is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure, and most patients can return to work after only a few days off. In the long run, liposuction produces more noticeable results that will last for years if the patient continues to exercise and maintain a healthy diet.