It's probably no secret that men in increasing numbers are undergoing elective plastic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is a growth industry, and men are becoming a significant factor in that increase. Just as an example, the American Academy of Facial and Plastic Surgery reports that as of March 2007 there was an "astonishing" 91% increase in men receiving non-surgical facial plastic surgery since 2000. Botox injections are the most sought after non-surgical procedure among men.

Liposuction was performed on over 53,000 men followed by over 45,000 rhinoplasty (nose) procedures and 33,000 eyelid surgeries. About 13% of all plastic surgery patients are men according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Given this trend, there would seem to be a need to introduce some sanity into the plastic and cosmetic surgery picture for men in the light of the all too frequent, obsessive quest for the knife among women reported incessantly in the media.

Here are a few tips concerning plastic surgery which are specifically applicable to the males of our species.

The Face

1. Facelifts have a tendency to produce a feminizing effect in men. However, there are several less drastic procedures that actually can yield better results, namely chin liposuction, forehead lifts and neck lifts. Since male temperments seem to be less patient with the time frame required for recovery from plastic surgery, these smaller procedures are better accepted.

2. Chemical peels, of course, are non-invasive and can eliminate fine lines and blotches, which often make men, as well as women, look older than their years.

Liposuction

1. Try as one might, in many cases no amount of intense gym work on abs or love handles will rid the body of unwanted fat deposits. Liposuction can easily dispense with these imperfections. Not only that, liposuction can work beautifully in removing fatty breast tissue, helping to sculpt the abs to a profile not seen since the patient was a strapping youth.

2. Best results are obtained from liposuction when men discipline themselves to continue working out regularly. This minimizes the chances of reappearance of localized fat deposits. Avoidance of alcohol for at least three to five weeks following surgery is also highly recommended, and there is no better time to stop smoking. Smoking can hinder the desired outcome in any cosmetic surgery procedure.

Implants

1. Pectoral and calf implants can present problems. Among other things, they have a tendency over time to migrate.

2. Again, the preferable route is liposuction around these areas to allow pectoral and calf musculature to appear to be more distinct.

Overall, men, unlike women, seek less involved plastic surgery yielding an improved masculine look with less time spent recovering. So in terms of their bodies, temperament and objectives, men are quite different from women in the way they approach plastic surgery. The long and the short of it is that masculinity must be preserved at all costs.