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Introduction
Getting fit, eating right and getting regular check-ups is not the only thing men need to consider while taking care of their health. Many men may experience appearance, comfort or hand function issues that can have an affect on his life and self-confidence. There are solutions, plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery which will not only help you achieve your cosmetic goals, but your medical needs as well.
Men may want to have their breast tissue enlarged, fat trimmed off or even have some excess skin trimmed on their eyelids. Others visit a surgeon who has hand issues that affect their hand function and ability to use their hands to work, hold tools or perform everyday activities. But a lack of confidence in social stigma, recovery time, and taking leave from work can lead to postponing these discussions.
Men may be able to make better decisions if they know about available options and what to anticipate. The aim is not to find out how to look like someone else, but to examine, explore, explore options within the scope of what is suitable, realistic and advisable, based on the advice of a doctor or other professional health care practitioner.
Cosmetic Procedures for Men
There are a number of cosmetic procedures that may help men overcome some concerns that they have that cannot be addressed by lifestyle changes.
Male breast reduction (also known as gynecomastia surgery) is a procedure for when male breast tissue becomes enlarged. This can be in the form of glandular or fat condition or both. Men who don’t like fitted shirts or other activities which show the chest should consider treatment with a surgeon who is qualified to perform it.
Liposuction is designed to eliminate fat tissue in certain areas of the body, to create a more aesthetically pleasing shape, like the abdomen or flanks. It is meant to contour the body, not to help lose weight and results are not guaranteed.
Blepharoplasty or eye surgery is for removing excess skin and other changes to the upper and lower eyelids. Some men find it makes their eyes look less ‘fattened’ and some may think that the skin in the upper eyelid will interfere with their vision.
There are various risks, limitations and recovery times associated with each procedure. Consultation can be used to gain an insight into whether or not surgery is appropriate and what can be expected from the surgery for the person.
Hand Surgery: When Function Matters
Additionally, there are hand surgery issues that can be treated using plastic surgery techniques such as problems with the movement or comfort of the hand. These concerns can have a significant impact on a man’s ability to do his work or hobbies if they are activities that rely on manual dexterity.
Dupuytren’s contracture is the result of thicken and tighten of tissue which is found beneath the palm and will cause contracted fingers to move towards the palm. This, over time, can make it hard to straighten the fingers and/or place the hand flat on a surface. Treatment will depend on the severity of the condition, and how it impacts on daily life.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that is caused by the compression of a nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Symptoms can range from a feeling of numbness in the hand, tingling, pain or weakness in the hand. These symptoms may hinder the normal performance of typing, driving, handling tools and other common tasks etc.
Not all cases will need treatment with surgery. A medical evaluation is used to assist in determining the cause of the symptoms and if it would be better to observe or treat the symptoms with medication or surgery. If men continue to have hand issues, they should talk to a health care provider about their symptoms, and not take them for granted as a normal part of aging.
Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
When looking for a surgeon, there is much more to be taken into account than simply looking through photo galleries or browsing through the surgeons’ reviews on the internet. Issues of training, experience, professional qualifications and communication need to be taken into account.
The FRCSC credential signifies a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Fellowship certification in Canada. Men should check surgeon’s credentials and registration and ensure that the experience is applicable to the procedure they are thinking of getting.
For example, Dr. Donald Graham is a Calgary-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose practice includes body contouring, eyelid surgery, and hand procedures. Patients can check a surgeon’s qualifications and areas of practice to determine if a surgeon has experience in a surgeon’s field that a patient needs.
The consultation is of the same significance as well. Patients need to be well informed about the benefits, risks, alternatives and recovery they may expect if they have this surgery. There are a number of questions that can be asked about scarring, anaesthetic, follow-up and the potential for outcomes varying from expectations.
A consultation should enable the patient to come out with more knowledge and not under any pressure.
Managing Stigma and Recovery Time
Unfortunately, some men are reluctant to talk about cosmetic surgery out of fear of what their friends, associates or family may say. Others are worried about being absent from work or temporarily not being able to engage in physical activities.
These are issues that need to be taken into account in practice. The recovery from a procedure will depend upon the procedure, the health of the individual and the demands of a person’s job. A desk job might involve various problems as compared to jobs that require lifting, repetitive hand movements, etc. in construction, manufacturing or other work.
Discuss with the surgeon his/her expectations regarding driving, physical activity and work with the patient before surgery. Make arrangements at home if necessary, and be flexible about work plans, don’t set them on a time schedule that is too optimistic.
Choosing to go for treatment is a personal choice. Men can consider their worries in private, get accurate data and make their own choices of whether or not the advantages are worth the risk and recovery requirements.
Conclusion
Plastic/reconstructive surgery is done for various reasons by men, such as the changes in the chest tissue, the body contours, eyelid changes or hand changes. These decisions are not just made from a visual perspective, rather comfort, confidence and practicality are all taken into account.
The most crucial one is to know the choices that are out there and not believing that they will certainly definitely work. Men are able to make decisions that are appropriate to their situation with qualified and professional advice, realistic expectations and careful planning for recovery.
Discussions are increasingly more comfortable about men’s health and so if a guy has a continuous problem he may well feel better privileged to ask a doctor for suggestions. Not everyone will be surgical candidates, however, having a grasp of what is possible and what’s not will enable each man to determine what is right for them and their health goals.
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