When it comes to appearance, men are really no different than women. They do not want to look old, tired or out of shape. Just like the ladies, men often feel helpless when they look in the mirror and see the first signs of aging begin to appear. For this reason, and as cultural norms slowly shift, more men are turning to cosmetic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 1.3 million male aesthetic procedures were performed in 2017. Male breast reductions rose by more than 30%, liposuction went up by 23%, and abdominoplasty procedures increased by 12%.
However, as male plastic surgery continues to spike in popularity, so does the risk. Although these surgical procedures are safer than ever before, untrained doctors and fly-by-night clinics continue to pop up all over the country, hoping to cash in on the craze. Men, just like women, must remain vigilant in finding the right plastic surgeon to ensure a safe procedure and desirable results.
When deciding on cosmetic plastic surgery, it is important to research more than just the procedure. Prospective patients must look into their surgeon's background to determine their level of experience. Always choose a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A board certified plastic surgeon will have undergone extensive specialty training, rigorous oral and written examinations, continue to meet strict continuing education requirements, and pass re-certification every 10 years.
The plastic surgeon you choose should have years of experience with your desired procedure. Before and after photographs can help you to get an idea of the surgeon's style, as well as ensure that he/she has performed many successful procedures on patients with a similar body shape. A red flag should go up if the surgeon cannot provide loads of before and after photographs for you to peruse. This may mean the doctor is not experienced in the particular technique or does not have many happy patients.
After soaking in all of the technical information about a potential physician, take a minute to read through their reviews and patient testimonials. Look at a variety of sources. The more testimonials you read, the better. Carefully disregard any that are too-good-to-be-true, and any reviews that seem skewed or may have come from a disgruntled employee. Online patient testimonials will help you piece together a clear picture of your surgeon's skill and bedside manner.
Once you are feeling good about a practice, schedule a consultation with the surgeon. Assess how easily you can get to his/her office, the overall appeal of the location, and the friendliness of the staff. When at the consultation, talk with the potential surgeon about the cosmetic surgeries you are interested in. Do you feel comfortable with the doctor? Did he/she explain the recommended treatment plan in a manner that was easy to understand? Make sure the surgeon takes time to listen to your concerns and goals so that everyone is on the same page. Go with your gut: if you are not 100% sure that this is the right surgeon for you, then they are not. Keep scheduling consultations until you find a surgeon that makes you feel completely comfortable in their care.
Even with the most skilled surgeon, a patient can develop complications. To avoid serious risks, your surgeon will perform an in-depth physical exam during the consultation. Listen to what the doctor says and carefully follow any pre-op or post-op instructions. If your surgeon says to seek out an additional doctor's approval, to stop smoking, or to lose weight before having plastic surgery, be safe and follow their advice.
A variety of surgical and noninvasive procedures, tailored especially for the male patient, are now available. Choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon means a safe procedure, expedient recovery and natural-looking results – no one will ever know anything was done! Go to the ASPS website to get more tips for achieving desired results through a safe and satisfying plastic surgery procedure with a board-certified plastic surgeon.