16 Apr 2025 | by Dr. Doherty
Historically, men have trailed behind women in embracing aesthetic treatments.
However, in the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the number of
men investigating plastic surgery procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. The
internet is largely responsible for reducing any stigma that they used to feel about
seeking plastic surgery and aesthetic procedures. Furthermore, it has allowed men
to educate themselves on conditions that may bother them, such as “man boobs”, in
the privacy of their own home. And, more importantly, to realize that they are not
alone. So, what are the most common procedures for men? In my Boston area
practice, the most popular procedures among my male patients are gynecomastia
and liposuction of the chin, abdomen and flanks.
Liposuction for a More Defined Jawline
I am stating the obvious when I say that men and women are different. Each
gender has certain desirable physical characteristics. A clean, crisp jawline is
typically the masculine ideal. Unfortunately, not everyone is born with this
aesthetic. Furthermore, things such as:
• Age
• Weight gain/loss
• Time spent outdoors
• Poor posture
• Anatomy
These may all weaken your skin and tissues, making any fatty deposits at the
chin/neck juncture more apparent. In patients with only a mild to moderate amount
of skin laxity, liposuction on its own or combined with the skin tightening
treatment, Renuvion®, can be a relatively easy way to create a more defined
looking jawline. And this, in turn, may have a rejuvenating effect on your entire
countenance and sense of self.
Gynecomastia is Treatable in Boston
Another treatment that I perform regularly in my Boston area offices is
gynecomastia. Sometimes referred to as “man boobs”, this incredibly common
condition results from a hormone imbalance and excess fatty tissue. This creates
excess fullness in the chest area. And since a smooth, flat chest is another one of
those masculine ideals, it can be incredibly debilitating emotionally and physically.
There are a couple of different ways to treat gynecomastia including:
• Liposuction
• Male Chest Reduction Surgery
The right one is going to depend on what, exactly, is causing your fullness:
• Fat
• Excess glandular tissue
• Loose skin
Or all three. While I always recommend scheduling an in-person consultation
before considering any kind of cosmetic procedure, it is imperative with
gynecomastia. Every man wants to treat it with liposuction alone, but that only
works for certain patients. I am always upfront about what a procedure can and
cannot do for your unique anatomy and needs as it makes no sense to spend the
time and money on something that can’t deliver your desired result.
Flatter Abdominal Area with Liposuction
One area where men and women are alike is in their dissatisfaction with the midsection. With age, especially, excess deposits of fat can crop up in the abdominal
area despite how much you work out or how healthy your diet. Liposuction is the
gold standard for reducing what I refer to as “pinchable” fat. This is fat that can be
grabbed and pulled away from the body. As I always take a 360° approach with
any body contouring procedure, I will typically add liposuction of the flanks when
treating the mid-section as the two areas work in tandem. The end result is a
smooth, more lifted and defined looking abdominal region.
To find out more about gynecomastia, liposuction or any other surgical or nonsurgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation
