Discover the 7 most popular plastic surgeries for Men

Today, more and more men are resorting to plastic surgery to improve some aspect of their face or body.

In fact, the demand for aesthetic procedures, in a broader sense, and for plastic surgery, in a more specific sense, is no longer exclusive to women. This is a growing trend all over the world and Portugal is no exception.

But what plastic surgeries are most performed by men? Find out in this article which procedures are most carried out by men in Portugal.

Which cosmetic surgeries are most desired by men?

If you think that women are the only ones who resort to plastic surgery, don't be fooled. More and more men, concerned about their aesthetics and appearance, are opting for surgery to correct some feature of their face or body.

The growing popularity of plastic surgery among men can be seen in the statistics and has been rising steadily in recent years.

According to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, there has been a significant increase in the number of cosmetic procedures performed on men: in 2019, the number of men who underwent plastic surgery exceeded 1.3 million, which represents an increase of 29 per cent since 2000.

According to the most recent ASPS data for 2022, men were responsible for exceptional growth: a 207% increase in the total number of cosmetic procedures carried out since 2019.

In addition, the ASPS reported that the main plastic surgeries performed by men on the body were liposuction, abdominoplasty, body lift and gynaecomastia correction (male breast reduction). As for the face, the most common aesthetic procedures performed by men were blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, mentoplasty and malar implants.

In Portugal, although there is no official statistical data on the plastic surgeries most used by men, it is possible to identify the most sought-after and commonly performed aesthetic procedures, considering international trends and based on the cases received at our clinic.

Check out the list below!

Discover the 7 most desired plastic surgeries performed by men in Portugal

1. Penis enlargement

Male concern about the size of the genital organ is neither recent nor new and is associated with stereotypes of masculinity and virility.

Penile augmentation, or penis enlargement surgery, is an aesthetic surgical procedure that allows the visible part of the penis to be increased in length and/or width.

It is indicated for men who are dissatisfied with the size of their penis.

2. Liposuction/liposculpture

Liposuction is currently the most popular surgery for women, but also men.

Its main aim is to remove localised fat deposits to reshape the male silhouette, giving greater body definition and a consequent increase in self-esteem.

The areas of the body that men most seek to attenuate and correct when they undergo liposuction or liposculpture are the abdomen, flanks, and neck.
When performed on the male abdomen, liposuction emphasises the muscles in that area of the body.

3. Gynecomastia/Male Breast Correction

Surgery to correct gynecomastia - the male breast - is one of the procedures that has the greatest impact on men's quality of life and emotional well-being.

The procedure aims to correct the development of the male mammary gland, which gives an excess volume to the chest, like female breast development and can cause serious embarrassment to social and intimate life.

Gynaecomastia affects around 32 per cent of men, with around 65 per cent of teenage boys being affected, and in 75 per cent of cases, gynaecomastia is bilateral.

See before and after cases

4. Blepharoplasty

Indicated for situations in which there is excess skin, sagging or fat pockets in the upper and/or lower eyelids, men resort to blepharoplasty to achieve a renewed and rejuvenated look.

This is a plastic surgery that plays an important role in reversing the signs of ageing, which proves the importance that men are increasingly attaching to their image.

Indeed, gone are the days when men didn't worry about getting older.

5. Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty has seen a growing demand from men in Portugal. Its main purpose is to correct the size and/or shape of the nose, according to the patient's wishes and anatomical characteristics.

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that can have a huge impact on a man's self-confidence and personal image. In addition to the search for facial harmony, it can also have a functional purpose, as it corrects any pathologies and helps the patient breathe better.

6. Otoplasty

Having prominent, protruding ears, also known as "floppy ears", detached ears or abducted ears, is a deformity that affects the self-esteem of both women and men.

However, the fact that most men don't have long hair to cover or disguise their ears makes them more exposed, leading to greater concern about correcting their appearance.

This irregularity can be genetic, traumatic, or due to illness.

Otoplasty remodels the auricular cartilage to achieve a more closed angle between the head and the ear, giving the face a more harmonious overall appearance.

7. Abdominoplasty

Many men wish to have an abdominoplasty to put an end to a flabby belly with excess skin and thus improve the appearance of the abdomen.

This procedure is indicated for flaccidity, allowing excess skin and fat to be removed from the abdomen, giving the abdominal region greater definition and body tone.

Growing demand for plastic surgery among men in Portugal

The growing demand for plastic surgery among men in Portugal reflects an uncomplicated acceptance of male self-care.

All these aesthetic procedures, among others, aim to improve men's self-esteem and appearance and to correct characteristics that can cause discomfort and dissatisfaction for men.

However, before opting for any aesthetic intervention, it is essential to consult an experienced plastic surgeon to discuss your wishes, expectations, and available options, so that you can be advised on the best procedure for your specific situation.

Ask for quote

LMR, the plastic surgery clinic in Lisbon, is equipped with the latest technology and has an experienced, competent, friendly, and always-available team. If you are interested in having plastic surgery and would like more information about the procedure, prices, payment facilities or to book your assessment appointment, please fill in this form. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Important note:

In case this article presents before and after photos please consider them merely demonstrative and may not serve as a reference for your particular case. These images are only to show possible results for one or several surgical procedures. The images we use are of patients who have consented to their use. Any images do not represent a guarantee of results.

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Discover the 7 most popular plastic surgeries for Men

Sobre a Médica Especialista
Dr. Luísa Magalhães Ramos / Plastic Surgery

PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Nr. 42810

Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, she specialized in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.

Throughout her training, she subspecialized in aesthetic plastic surgery, having worked in world-renowned clinics.

Currently, she is mainly dedicated to face and breast aesthetic plastic surgery and to intimate female surgery.