Why More Men Are Considering Body Contouring

Men are becoming more open about body contouring in Sydney, including procedures that address the chest, abdomen and areas of loose skin. These concerns are not limited to women, and many men seek advice because a specific area of the body does not match their broader health, fitness or personal goals.

Outdated notions are rapidly changing as more men recognise that addressing legitimate physical concerns is simply self-care, no different from maintaining fitness, dressing well or any other aspect of personal presentation and wellbeing.

At Ethique Plastic Surgery, Dr Andre Safvat speaks to many men in our clinics at Miranda, Concord and Bowral, who just want clear information about their options.

Common Drivers for Men Seeking ‘Work’

Body contouring for men is not about chasing perfection. It is about assessing a physical concern, discussing the risks and limitations of surgery, and determining if treatment is suitable to the individual.

Men usually seek body contouring for specific concerns, rather than a broad wish to change their whole appearance. These may include enlarged male breast tissue, resistant fat around the abdomen or flanks, and loose skin after significant weight loss.

Gynaecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

Gynaecomastia (excess male breast tissue) represents one of the most common reasons men consult plastic surgeons. This condition, characterised by enlarged breast tissue in males, affects 50% to 70% of men at some point in their lives. It can develop during puberty and persist into adulthood, and emerge during midlife due to hormonal changes. Gynaecomastia can also occur as a side effect of certain medications, or develop secondary to weight changes or medical conditions.

Men searching for gynaecomastia surgery or male breast reduction may be looking for information because their chest looks fuller, feels tender and may be starting to impact their confidence in both their personal and professional lives. Gynaecomastia is not just a physical condition, but can be a point of psychological distress for many men. It can make some men feel self-conscious wearing fitted shirts, swimming, being intimate with a partner, or being examined by a doctor.

Male breast reduction surgery involves removing glandular tissue, fat or both. The procedure reduces the excess breast tissue and helps define a chest contour that suits the patient’s anatomy. Results vary between patients, and a consultation and examination with Dr Andre Safvat can help determine if this surgery is suitable for you.

Resistant Fat Around the Abdomen

Abdominal fat can be frustrating for men who maintain regular exercise and a balanced diet but still notice fullness around the stomach, waist and midsection. This is not laziness or a lack of discipline, but is more of a reflection on metabolic shifts, hormonal changes, age, genetics and more that make abdominal fat particularly resistant in many men.

Liposuction in Sydney may be discussed when a patient has localised fat deposits that do not shift with lifestyle changes. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It is designed to reduce selected fat deposits and refine body shape in suitable patients.

Dr Safvat may also discuss other options if loose skin, muscle separation or previous weight change affects the abdomen. The right procedure depends on skin quality, body shape, medical history and patient goals.

Loose Skin After Significant Weight Loss

After achieving substantial weight loss (an accomplishment requiring tremendous dedication and discipline) many men find themselves with loose, redundant skin around the abdomen, chest, thighs and other areas. This can feel disappointing after a major lifestyle change, especially when excess skin causes rubbing, discomfort, hygiene concerns or difficulty with clothing.

Body contouring involves removing excess skin and reshaping the area. This type of surgery needs careful planning, as scarring, recovery time, wound healing and medical risks must be considered before deciding to proceed.

Why Are More Men Having These Procedures?

More men are asking about body contouring because information is easier to access and conversations around men’s health and appearance have become more open.

In Dr Safvat’s experience, many patients are not looking for a dramatic change.

Health focus and longevity concern more men as awareness grows around the importance of sustainable health habits. Many men seeking body contouring have already made substantial lifestyle improvements and view surgical intervention as addressing specific remaining concerns after establishing healthy foundational habits. They speak of wanting to feel more comfortable in clothing or about a physical issue that has not changed despite their best efforts.

Professional and social confidence can play a role too. Looking fit, healthy and feeling comfortable can positively influence many things from professional confidence to relationship intimacy and satisfaction – a practical consideration.

Increased awareness of available treatments and realistic outcomes has grown through various channels. Men are more informed about what procedures can achieve and what recovery involves, making it easier to make informed decisions about if a treatment aligns with their goals.

During consultation with Dr Safvat, an assessment will review your anatomy and health, along with a discussion about your motivations, expectations and any risks involved before being able to determine if surgery is a suitable treatment.

Consultation with Dr Andre Safvat

Ethique Plastic Surgery offers consultations with Dr Andre Safvat in Miranda, Concord and Bowral for men searching for a plastic surgeon in those areas.

We understand that to many men, plastic surgery consultations can feel ‘unknown’, they may be uncertain about what to expect or if their concerns will be taken seriously. We create our consultations at Ethique, to be a straightforward, judgement-free environment focused on understanding concerns and providing honest information.

Consultations typically include:

• A discussion about the concern and how long it has been present
• A review of medical history, medications and any previous surgery
• Physical examination of the area
• Discussion of possible surgical and non-surgical options
• Explanation of risks, recovery, scarring and likely limitations
• Time to ask questions before making a decision

Ethique Plastic Surgery requires a GP referral for cosmetic and medical consultations. This allows Dr Safvat to obtain any relevant medical history and communicate with the referring GP where needed. Some procedures may also offer Medicare rebate.

Recovery and Scarring

Recovery depends on the type and extent of your surgery. Smaller procedures may have a shorter recovery period, while larger body contouring procedures can require more time away from work and some physical rehabilitation.

Realistic recovery timelines are discussed in consultation. In Dr Safvat’s experience, most men can return to desk work within a week or two, with gradual return to exercise over the following weeks. Timeline does depend on the extent of surgery and individual healing, but recovery is generally manageable with proper planning.

Scars are also part of any surgical procedure. Scar placement, along with wound care and recovery expectations will be talked through during consultation. Dr Safvat takes care to plan scarring by positioning incisions in natural creases or less visible areas for discretion, where ever possible. His surgical techniques minimise visibility and scars do typically fade over time, though their final appearance can vary between individuals.

Patients are also encouraged to maintain stable weight and healthy habits after surgery. Body contouring does not prevent future weight change, ageing or changes in skin quality. Maintaining your results means an ongoing commitment to your health, and the same healthy habits that were in place before your surgery should continue after.

A Practical Conversation, Not a Sales Decision

Just as men attend to dental health, wear professional clothing, maintain grooming, and invest in fitness, addressing specific body concerns through surgery (where suitable) can represent another aspect of self-care. Seeking consultation doesn’t require justification or apology – it’s a straightforward decision to address a problem with an available solution.

With Ethique Plastic Surgery, male body contouring isn’t about achieving perfection or unrealistic ideals and is definitely not a rushed cosmetic decision to be made.

Dr Safvat takes the time during your initial consultation to understand your concern, assess if surgery may be suitable, and if so, provide realistic information about benefits, risks, recovery and limitations. You will be provided honest, practical information to support informed decision-making – without judgement, stigma or pressure.

If you’re experiencing gynaecomastia, resistant abdominal fat or loose skin after weight loss, speak with your GP about a referral to Dr Andre Safvat at Ethique Plastic Surgery in Miranda, Concord or Bowral.

Already have a referral?

References:

1. Blau, M., Hazani, R., & Hekmat, D. (2016). Anatomy of the Gynecomastia Tissue and Its Clinical Significance. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 4(8), e854. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000000844
2. Lem, M., Pham, J. T., Kim, J. K., & Tang, C. J. (2023). Changing Aesthetic Surgery Interest in Men: An 18-Year Analysis. Aesthetic plastic surgery, 47(5), 2136–2141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03344-9
3. UHBlog. (2025, April 25). After Weight Loss, Many Face a New Issue: Excess Skin. Uhhospitals.org; University Hospitals. https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2025/04/after-weight-loss-many-face-a-new-issue-excess-skin
4. Body Contouring. (n.d.). Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/body-contouring/
5. Taylor, K. (2026, March 11). Will your scar ever fade? The science of skin repair and medically approved next steps. | Ubie Doctor’s Note. Ubiehealth.com; Ubie, Inc. https://ubiehealth.com/doctors-note/scar-fade-science-skin-repair-medical-steps-37-pro23e4
6. Dr Safvat’s Philosophy – Ethique Plastic Surgery. (2026, April 13). Ethique Plastic Surgery. https://ethiqueplasticsurgery.com.au/my-practice-philosophy/

*This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All surgery carries risk, and individual results may vary. Dr Andre Safvat, MBBS FRACS, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (MED0001155201), provides consultations at Ethique Plastic Surgery. A referral from your GP is required before consultation.