Elliot W. Jacobs, M.D., a New York City plastic surgeon, says about 40 percent of men in his practice request “very conservative surgery, so that nothing is too noticeable.”

While many males may deem plastic surgery a good business move – because they must compete with younger workers -- disclosing the amount of “work they’ve had” remains a touchy topic.

Generally, both men and women want to feel confident about their looks, be happy with how their clothes fit, and hope their image justifies the youngish person inside. In the workplace, gaining respect and getting that better paid position while competing with younger coworkers are reasons enough for many men to invest in cosmetic procedures. Doctors say the “baby boomer” generation – people born between 1946 and 1964 – are a prominent group seeking a younger and more refreshed image through surgery

“Aging executives want to look younger, less tired and more vigorous, so they can keep their jobs,” says Dr. Jacobs. “Unemployed men who are interviewing for new jobs are also seeking plastic surgery to look less tired, more vigorous and so they can lie about their age on job applications.”

Adds Manhattan cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon, Steve R. Fallek, M.D: “Men who have cosmetic procedures are just as happy as women with the results and are just as likely to have more surgery.”

“Nose jobs are different for men,” says Dr. Jacobs. “Most want conservative surgery with small amounts of tissue removed. Men do not want delicate, sloped or upturned noses. They choose straight and strong over petite.”

In plastic surgery, rhinoplasty is the most delicate of plastic surgeries because the nose is a three-dimensional structure. So fractions of an inch can make a difference.

“The difference between a pleasing natural appearance and an overdone, over-operated look can depend on scant millimeters of cartilage,” Dr. Jacobs says. “Most men just want large bumps removed from their noses.”

“Historically, only women were held to specific aesthetic standards and ideals,” says Dr. Fallek, pointing out that the media and plastic surgery reality TV shows have proven to men how cosmetic surgery can create drastic improvements in appearance and self-esteem.

Most men who receive Botox want the wrinkles and furrows on their foreheads and between their eyebrows removed, Dr. Jacobs says.

“Men are not as concerned as women with the condition of their skin and never want their lips plumped up with any of the injectibles intended for that use,” he says. “Men also know that Botox can stop excessive sweating, severe headaches and muscle spasms of the head and neck.”

Additionally, more men are becoming aware that gynecomastia, or large breasts, on a man is a medical condition that can be corrected by a trained surgeon. Men with flabby chests usually dread taking off their shirts and are wont to appear on the beach, at swimming pools, in steam rooms and on the massage table.

“Very fleshy breasts on a guy is a benign enlargement that appears on about 40 percent of all men,” says Dr. Jacobs who adds the problem can be made worse by taking anabolic steroids for weight lifting and using some illegal drugs, most notably marijuana.

“Men must realize, and I believe most do, that cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and should be done for the right reasons,” says Dr. Fallek, predicting that new areas of interest for men will include more chin and neck liposuction.

Experts say “right reasons” include having the surgery to please yourself, and not someone else.

But as the numbers pile up among men seeking surgical improvements in 2005, one thing is clear – it’s not just a girl thing anymore.

Dr. Jacob’s website: http://www.plasticsurgeonnewyork.com

For more information on all types of cosmetic and plastic surgery; http://www.cosmeticsurgery.com

© 2005 HealthNewsDigest.com