As men, there is always pressure to have chiseled abs and a slim physique, but this accelerates massively as the weather warms up. When the temperature rises and the swim shorts come out, the focus on having the ideal ‘beach body’ becomes more pertinent than ever. However, not all men can commit to a rigorous gym routine, which is when plastic surgeries are worth considering.
Plastic cosmetic surgery has many benefits as it targets specific areas, provides natural-looking results, and helps resolve problem areas that won’t budge solely by hitting the gym. We have compiled a list of confidence-building surgeries perfect for the summer.
1. Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction)
Gynecomastia surgery is a popular surgery for men that tackles colloquially known as ‘man boobs.’ Some men can decrease the appearance of their man boobs through chest exercises and cardio, but often this problem is actually caused by an overgrowth of the breast tissue. The reason for this overgrowth is hormonal and essentially means the male breasts form like female breasts.
The surgery is straightforward depending on your case:
- The surgeon places the patient under anesthesia and creates an incision around the nipple.
- The excess glandular tissue is removed carefully. In some cases, the surgeon can remove excess fat deposits with liposuction at this stage.
- The surgeon closes the incision with dissolvable stitches.
The advantage of this surgery is that you can expect a full recovery within six weeks, so long as you refrain from strenuous exercise during this time. Furthermore, as the incisions are small, any scars should not last long; the surgery thus produces extremely natural-looking results.
2. Pectoral Implants
Getting defined ‘pecs’ is no easy feat: it takes a lot of muscle training, dieting, and consistency. Luckily, pectoral implants are an excellent option for men for whom sculpted pecs are a main focus. Pectoral implants are a specialist procedure done by highly-skilled surgeons, so if this is something you are considering, ensure proper research is done into the clinic.
The procedure is done by creating an incision under the armpit. A solid silicone implant is placed between the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor, the two main pectoral muscles. The surgery takes between 1 to 2 hours, and recovery is expected within 6 weeks. The healing period includes fluid draining which is usually complete after a week, and the wearing of a compression garment for 6 weeks.
This surgery can make men who lack definition in their chest feel a lot more comfortable in their bodies, especially in being topless in the summertime.
3. Liposuction
Sometimes, the issue of self-confidence lies in stubborn fat around the body. This is why liposuction is a great procedure for sculpting the body to the patient’s desire. While it is not a quick and easy solution to weight loss, it is perfect for targeting areas of fat on the body that won’t shift with exercise. Liposuction can be done on any area of the body but is commonly used around the stomach, arms, thighs, hips, and the chin and can also be part of male breast reduction surgery.
The general procedure requires a small incision in the target area, followed by removing fat deposits. The incision is then closed up by dissolvable stitches.
This option significantly boosts confidence and encourages a healthier lifestyle as patients are motivated to maintain their newly contoured physique.
4. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
After experiencing considerable and dramatic weight loss, some men might have trouble feeling confident with their excess skin. This is particularly troubling as holidays and beach trips approach, and there is an increased likelihood of showing your skin. The tummy tuck tightens any areas with excess and saggy skin around the abdominals and stomach making your body look sculpted and defined.
Many experienced surgeons around the world are able to perform a tummy tuck, making the surgery very accessible. The procedure requires an incision to be made across the underwear line, the skin to be pulled and trimmed, and then for the incision to be closed using stitches. You will experience some swelling and bruising but will be provided with a compression garment – regular checkups with the surgeon will ensure recovery comes along nicely. As full and complete recovery is expected within 12-18 months, it is not necessarily a surgery with quick results, but it is a surgery that will prepare you for the summers ahead.
All of these surgeries are great long-term options for those struggling with their bodies. They tackle a range of tough problems areas on the body that can be difficult to answer with just a cleaner diet and exercise. As all results are best maintained with a healthy lifestyle, starting your summer with body contouring surgery can be the perfect motivation to build healthy habits.
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
