Men Turning to Cosmetic Surgery

Once upon a time, cosmetic surgery may have been a woman’s domain but now an increasing number of men are turning to cosmetic surgery to slow down Father Time. (Credit: Rapunsell)

Who said that cosmetic surgery is only for women? Once upon a time, cosmetic surgery may have been a woman’s domain but now an increasing number of men are turning to cosmetic surgery to slow down Father Time. Men want to look younger in order to remain competitive in the workplace, improve their love life or get rid of physical hang-ups.

With cosmetic procedures for droopy eyelids, bulging love handles and over-sized breasts, more men are readjusting their bodies to enhance their looks. Timmy Mathew, a 45-year-old Sales Manager underwent surgery on his eyelids a year ago. “Before the surgery, I used to look tired and much older. But now after the eyelid surgery I look fresh and perked-up,” says Timmy.

Plastic surgeons feel that it is much more acceptable in society today for men to seek plastic surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the total number of cosmetic procedures on men grew by 16 percent between 2000 and 2005 with breast reduction surgery, tummy tuck, lip augmentation, eyelid surgery and liposuction among the most popular.

Breast reduction surgery, for example, increased by 17 percent between 2004 and 2005 and liposuction by 10 percent. Tummy tuck surgeries grew by 37 percent between 2004 and 2005 and by 156 percent between 2000 and 2005 while lip augmentation jumped by 61 percent between 2004 and 2005 and by 458 percent between 2000 and 2005.

Ted Sparks, 37-year-old Banker, decided to get a breast reduction surgery to get rid of his large breasts. “It was such a relief to have this done,” he says, adding that now he can step out of the house in a T-shirt and can think of going to the beach or swim with his children. “Till I had the breast reduction surgery, I could never take my shirt off anywhere and could not participate in sports like swimming. But now all that has changed,” he says with a smile.