The rate of men getting plastic surgery has risen again, new figures reveal.
While last year’s increase was most common among millennials, the latest report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows men of all ages are now going under the knife.
In 2017, more than 1.3 million American men had operations – mostly getting ‘breast’ reductions, liposuction and tummy tucks.
Experts say the increase is driven by a myriad of factors, chief among them the growing pressure from social media to look svelte at all times, the pressure in the workplace to look young, and the rising obesity rate.
While many see plastic surgery as fueling insecurities about our bodies, one plastic surgeon insists the climbing figures are a positive sign that men are finally feeling more comfortable about discussing their insecurities – something seen as not-masculine.
Nip n tuck: In 2017, more than 1.3 million US men had operations – mostly getting ‘breast’ reductions, liposuction and tummy tucks. The rate of male Botox has soared 99% since 2000
‘More and more men are coming to my office to have an open discussion about their insecurities,’ Dr Lorelei Grunwaldt, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Pittsburgh, said.
‘When I explain the wide range of surgeries and procedures available to help them achieve their goals, I can see the look of relief on their faces.
‘For a lot of men, just having a procedure on an area of their body that they’re self-conscious about can really make a positive impact on how they see themselves.’
According to the new report, liposuction procedures are up 23 percent, tummy tucks are up 12 percent, and male breast reductions have increased about 30 percent in the last five years.
Non-invasive procedures are on the rise too: nearly 100,000 men had filler injections in 2017, up 99 percent since 2000, with Botox quadrupling in popularity.
Dr Grunwaldt says she sees a lot of young men who are looking for body contouring procedures – many of whom have a genetic condition which is increasingly common among young American men, and causes them to grow ‘moobs’.
That was the case for her 19-year-old patient Landon Pringle, who put one significant weight after starting asthma medication and, after years of dieting and exercise, couldn’t shake it.
Dr Grunwaldt determined that he had gynecomastia, a swelling of male breast tissue caused by hormones, and she performed surgery to remove the excess fat.
‘After the procedure, his confidence went through the roof and led to even better results,’ she said.
‘He felt more comfortable in his own skin and was motivated to get out and exercise and really take control of his weight loss.’
Landon said: ‘Every time I step on the scale, I see a smaller number.
‘In 2006, I was 299 pounds, and I had no idea what to do about it. Now I’m down to 204 pounds and I know that wouldn’t be possible without surgery to get the process started.’
While young men seem to focus on enhancing their bodies, the figures show older men are having more minimally-invasive procedures to take years off of their faces.
‘Some people call it the “executive edge” because a lot of patients report that they want to look younger to continue to compete in the workplace,’ said Dr Jeffrey Janis, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
‘But I think, more often, men just want to look as young as they feel. That’s where a board-certified plastic surgeon can help.’
Dr Janis stressed the importance of choosing a board-certified surgeon to ensure the most rigorous safety and ethical standards, plus those are the surgeons who are most qualified and can offer a wide range of options to fit the needs of each patient.
He added: ‘Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is critical to your safety, your comfort and your happiness.
‘The extensive training that these doctors go through gives them the versatility to offer their patients more choices so that each person receives the right procedures to meet their goals.’