Facial Plastic Surgery / Men and Cosmetic Surgery

Our society places a high value on looking young and fit. Men comprise about 25 % of Dr. Rubinstein's practice. The most popular procedures are botox, nasal surgery, blepharoplasty (eyelids), chin augmentation, and neck liposuction. The active baby boomers are redefining the term middle age and want to look as good as they feel. The work environment is also becoming increasingly more competitive. No longer is the bulldog look sought after in big business. It's the youthful vigor that is now desirable.

Men may have different requirements regarding facial plastic surgery. They often want to resume an active work schedule earlier. Men are less like to conceal bruising and incisions with makeup. Dr. Rubinstein addresses these concerns during the consultation as well as in the postoperative period. For example, lower eyelid bags can be removed from inside the lid, removing any chance of a visible scar. Upper eyelid incisions are different than in women in order to avoid creating a feminine upper eyelid crease. Brows can be lifted using an endoscope avoiding large incisions. Minimally invasive rhinoplasty techniques help to minimize bruising and swelling around the eyes. Facelift incisions are different for men than women and great care is taken to maintain a natural beard and masculine hairline. Dr. Rubinstein uses a special adhesive gel as part of his facelift surgeries, which helps to minimize bruising and swelling resulting in a faster recovery. Homeopathic arnica is prescribed which further reduces swelling and bruising by 50 %. Dr. Rubinstein's staff is experienced in formulating their own custom make up using a special camera to analyze the skin's color. The perfect color match to the surrounding skin makes it impossible to detect that one is wearing any make up during the recovery period.

Planning your surgery

Good communication between you and your plastic surgeon is essential. In your initial consultation, you'll be asked to explain in detail why you want the procedure and how you hope to look and feel afterward. It's important to set aside any awkwardness you might feel, and speak candidly about the changes you'd like to see. You should feel completely assured that you and your surgeon understand one another.

Your doctor will also evaluate your health, conduct a physical exam, take pre-operative photographs, and explain which surgical techniques are most appropriate for you. You'll discuss the type of anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, the possible risks, and the costs involved. Medical insurance usually doesn't cover cosmetic procedures. However, Dr. Rubinstein offers special financing plans for cosmetic surgery and accepts credit cards.

Tell your surgeon if any part of the consultation makes you uncomfortable, or if you have any special privacy requests. Above all, it's important to have realistic expectations about your surgery.

The surgery

Your consultation will extensively cover information on your operation. Dr. Rubinstein will discuss a number of factors that may influence your surgery. Make sure you fully understand these considerations.

Facial surgery: If you are planning facial surgery or neck surgery, your doctor will evaluate your entire head-face-neck region. Is the hairline receding? How full are the sideburns? Does the beard-growing skin extend up the cheeks or down the neck? Are there facial scars? Is the skin sun-damaged? Is the neck skin loose or drooping? In general, male facial skin has a richer blood supply than female facial skin. Men's faces tend to bleed more during surgery and are at greater risk for forming a temporary collection or pooling of blood under the skin, called a hematoma, after surgery. Also, any residual scarring may be more difficult for men to hide, since they don't wear make-up or style their hair toward their faces, as many women do.

Hair growth and beard growth may play a major role in the outcome of a facelift. If you are balding or have thinning hair, surgical artistry may be required to hide the facelift incision, especially in the temple area. If the hair-bearing skin of your upper neck is pulled behind your ears during surgery, you may find that you must shave behind your ears or the back of your neck. However, sometimes electrolysis can correct this problem. Be sure to discuss these possibilities with your surgeon.

A fatty or "jowly" area beneath the chin is also a concern for many men. In younger patients, liposuction alone may be sufficient to correct the problem. Older patients may require a full facelift and necklift, which may include the removal of excess skin and tightening the platysma muscles, which run down each side of the neck. These muscles are usually thicker in men than they are in women, but do not pose a greater challenge for your plastic surgeon.

"Refinishing" treatments for facial skin: Shaving must be postponed for about 3 weeks after a skin-smoothing treatment such as chemical peel or dermabrasion. Because these procedures strip away the surface layers of skin, you can expect your faces to remain sensitive, swollen and bright pink for several weeks after surgery. Some men are happy that the beard growth helps conceal the redness, especially if they feel uncomfortable using camouflage make-up. Men who feel self-conscious about their condition are also advised to give up alcoholic drinks for about 4 weeks. Alcohol causes the areas of treated facial skin to become noticeably red and flushed.

Changing the facial features: Cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery, nose surgery, and facial-implant surgery are performed essentially the same way for men and women. However, it's important to let your surgeon know if you are seeking a more masculine look to your facial features, a chin with better projection, more prominent cheekbones, a stronger nose.

Hair replacement: The primary consideration for men contemplating hair-replacement surgery is the time involved. Natural-appearing hair replacement usually requires multiple surgical procedures, with long recovery intervals. A full regimen of hair transplants may last anywhere from 18 months to 2 years or more. You should be aware that incisions or transplant sites might be noticeable to others, especially in the early stages of the hair transplant process. If your work or lifestyle isn't compatible with a long treatment period, ask your surgeon about alternatives to hair-transplant options, such as flap surgery or scalp reduction.