Two years ago, a strange thing happened. “Dad bods” were in, and women got hot for those soft, doughy physiques, more so than the guy with washboard abs. Suddenly, men had a good excuse for empathy binging with their pregnant wives.
Past those nine months and add a screaming baby or two, the weight piled on. Dads got pudgier as their testosterone and metabolic levels decreased over time. Fatherhood is a slippery slope, even if we all love our dads for who they are rather than how they look.
To every man sporting a beer gut right now, there is hope. Of course, a healthy diet and constant exercise will burn fat and help you build lean muscle, but if you haven’t got the time or inclination, Dr Samuel Ho of Allure Plastic Surgery has the following ideas up his sleeves. Go on, try them on for size.
THE PROBLEM: LOVE HANDLES AND STUBBORN BELLY FAT
The fix: Liposuction, the removal of stubborn fat deposits through a minimally-invasive technique. This contours the abdomen into a more sculpted and defined look, reducing the thick, fatty layer coating the underlying musculature. It is often completed within one to two hours and patients will be fit to return to work the next day.
How it’s done at Allure: Only S.A.F.E™ Liposuction is performed. This is a three-step procedure that stands for ‘separation’, ‘aspiration’ and ‘fat elevation’. According to Dr Ho, it “minimises many of the complications frequently associated with other liposuction techniques, such as persistent fluid drainage, large areas of bruising and blood clots.” It operates without thermal or ultrasound energy, which makes the entire experience a lot more comfortable.
Feels like: You will sleep like a baby throughout, but once it’s done, it will feel like you have just done a hundred sit-ups. This is followed by a week’s worth of swelling and bruising, but on the bright side, your blood lipid levels will improve and there will be no visible scars.
THE PROBLEM: DROOPY EYELIDS
The fix: If sleepy Hugh Grant eyes aren’t your thing, then ptosis correction ought to make the cut. This tightens the upper eyelid muscle, allowing for a larger opening of the eye. Excess skin and fat are also removed, so you will look younger and above all, see better.
How it’s done at Allure: Dr Ho uses a special technique invented by Dr In-Chang Cho, a highly regarded ptosis surgeon from South Korea whom he trained under. This special “under-through” technique results in a long-lasting repair with minimal downtime.
Feels like: Mild bruising and swelling will last for about a week before the results begin to look natural.
THE PROBLEM: HAIR LOSS
The fix: For the broad majority of men, receding hairlines and bald patches still remain the scourge of their vanities. It is less than flattering, but you can always fight the tide with hair transplantation. This is done by shifting the good hair follicles from the back of your scalp to the common problem areas like the front and crown. Transplanted hair is hardy and long-lasting, which works just as well if you want a thicker set of eyebrows or beard.
How it’s done at Allure: Simply by Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a technique that involves the meticulous extraction of individual hair follicles. Before implantation, each graft is carefully prepared in a proprietary solution, which significantly boosts the health of each hair follicle, allowing for a much lower chance of hair loss. The operation comes complete with a mild laser therapy, as well as pre- and post-procedure haircuts and washes.
Feels like: Because you will be mildly sedated, you will feel drowsy throughout. There will be temporary baldness at the back of your scalp (where the hair follicles are taken from) and while you will feel a bit of swelling for one to three days, you can start to feel good again.
THE PROBLEM: MAN BOOBS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS GYNAECOMASTIA
*as it’s a medical condition, it might be Medisave claimable
The fix: If one day you find yourself admiring a nice, full rack in the mirror, you’re in trouble. A full chest on a man comes from the benign swelling of breast tissue typically caused by an imbalance of hormones. Things could get uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t put your health at risk. To reduce a mild case of man boobs, stop taking steroids, or start hitting the gym. For couch potatoes who want to get rid of them ASAP, surgery’s worth a shot.
How it’s done at Allure: Breast glandular tissue and fat will be removed through a small keyhole incision around the areola. A compression vest is necessary for three to four weeks to achieve best results.
Feels like: Expect minor swelling and bruising for the next few days. Don’t worry, there usually are no visible scars.
Dr Samuel Ho is certified plastic surgeon at Allure Plastic Surgery in Singapore. Penthouse Floor Wisma Atria, 22-04, tel. 6734 9988
