Most people associate plastic surgery with women. But in recent years, there has been an increase in men seeking out cosmetic procedures. In the US, for example, men had more than 1.3 million cosmetic procedures done in 2017.
Filler injections, tummy tuck, and liposuction are among the most popular procedures. Calf implants and pec implants have also seen a surge in popularity among men.
Pec implants, in particular, are sought by men who have insecurities over their chest area. These could be patients who need help filling out an underdeveloped chest. Or those who want a more defined looking chest.
With that being said, here's a closer look at some interesting facts about male pec implants.
1. PEC IMPLANTS COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES
As with female breast surgery, implants for men come in different shapes and sizes. You and your doctor should discuss your goals for the surgery. That way with a thorough consultation, you can say for sure that you've chosen the right size of implants.
Of course, you don't want to go too small or too big. And you don't want the results to look fake. This is why you only want the best surgeon to perform the procedure.
A skilled surgeon can give you a natural looking chest as if you've been spending all your time in a gym.
2. IT'S NOT ONLY FOR PATIENTS WHO WANT A MORE MUSCULAR CHEST
Certain body types have a hard time achieving chest muscle tone and definition. And this isn't because they don't hit the gym or work on their pecs.
Like we said if you're generally fit but have a hard time developing a more muscular chest, go for pec implants. Men with Poland syndrome should also consider pectoral augmentation. Poland syndrome is a condition where a person is born with missing muscles on one side of his body.
Others who stand to benefit: patients who need chest reconstruction after cancer surgery. For these patients, pectoral augmentation is a safe way to create bulk in the chest region. This is because the procedure uses silicone implants.
3. SILICONE IMPLANTS ARE COMPLETELY SAFE
People who don't know much about silicone implants think they all leak. But there are actually two types of medical-grade silicone. One is solid, and the other is liquid.
The implants used for pectoral augmentation are solid. That means they won't leak out. In fact, facial implants are soft solid silicone. This is common knowledge for those who know a bit about cosmetic procedures.
4. THE PROCEDURE USUALLY TAKES 1 TO 2 HOURS TO COMPLETE
If you're worried that it's going to be a lengthy procedure, don't. It only takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete. And it's done on an outpatient basis.
That means if everything else is fine, you can go home as soon as possible (i.e., immediately afterward). You see, it's a pretty straightforward surgery.
First, your surgeon will make a small incision in your armpit. Then comes dissecting the pocket. Finally, your surgeon will insert the implant.
After suturing, the surgery is complete. When your incisions heal, your scars shouldn't be visible. But in the meantime, you need to focus on recovery so you can resume your activities asap. This includes getting back to work and doing your routine workouts.
5. RECOVERY CAN TAKE MORE THAN A MONTH
Sometimes recovery can take as long as six weeks. But it's not like you can't do anything within a month. If your recovery's proceeding well, you can resume your usual activities in 4 weeks.
During the first few days, you should expect some mild to moderate discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications for this.
If the pain is unbearable, contact your doctor asap. You should also call if you experience other symptoms such as fever or swelling.
What's most important is to follow your surgeon's instructions to the letter. If you need to wear a compression garment, do it.
If your job involves strenuous activities, get your doctor's approval. Don't head back to work if your doctor hasn't given you the all-clear to do so.
6. PECTORAL IMPLANTS + LIPOSUCTION = PECTORAL ETCHING
Your surgeon might recommend pectoral etching for better results. In simple terms, it means a combination of pectoral implants and liposuction.
What happens is that your surgeon will use a liposuction tool. This will remove the extra pockets of fat around the chest area. Your surgeon will do this before putting in the implants to give your chest more definition.
Of course, every patient is different. If you need pectoral etching, your doctor will cover this during your consultation.
7. COMPLICATIONS ARE RARE
Pectoral augmentation is like any other surgical procedure. That means there are risks and complications that may occur.
This is why it's essential that you choose your surgeon well. Complications are less likely to occur with an experienced surgeon.
You also have a role to play when it comes to reducing the chances of complications. For instance, you shouldn't smoke cigarettes. Smoking slows down the healing process and can increase the chances of scabbing, blood clots, etc.
8. COST OF PECTORAL IMPLANTS VARY
The extent of surgery will determine how much a patient needs to pay for pec implants. But there are cases where insurance could cover the procedure.
Patients with a congenital malformation, for example, could use insurance for the procedure. Most of the time though, pectoral augmentation will be for cosmetic purposes. In such cases, patients should expect to pay around $4000 to $9000.
This range doesn't include prescription medications such as pain relievers after the surgery. Your doctor will explain the cost of the procedure when you go in for a consultation.
ARE YOU CONSIDERING MALE PEC IMPLANTS?
Pec implants are one of Dr. Jaime Schwartz's signature procedures. Please don't hesitate to contact us for a personalized consultation.
You may also browse through our Testimonials page. This will help you see how other patients are enjoying the results of their procedures. Or you can check out reviews for Dr. Schwartz on Yelp.
For more information on plastic surgery, feel free to browse the rest of our blog.
