Some men dream about becoming bodybuilders. In the case of this 54-year-old patient from Miami, his career as a former competitor left him needing an extra bit of help when it came to sculpting his physique. So, he sought out the expertise of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steinbrech of Male Plastic Surgery in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
During his consultation, Dr. Steinbrech immediately identified that the male patient presented excess visceral fat, in addition to gynecomastia. Enlarged breasts, also known as gynecomastia, are a common problem amongst bodybuilders who have developed an abundance of fat and glandular tissue in one or both breasts. Male breast reduction surgery can help by reconstructing a flatter, firmer look to the male chest.
In addition to treating the patient’s gynecomastia, Dr. Steinbrech also performed his patented BodyBanking® procedure. Using a patient’s own body fat, Dr. Steinbrech is able to transfer and remove fat from unwanted areas and inject it into the desired parts of the body. In this example, BodyBanking® was used to sculpt the patient’s abdomen into a chiseled six-pack. In addition, bad fat from the flanks was also used to add volume to the upper chest and shoulders.
Poland Syndrome is a type of disorder that causes people to be born with missing or underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body. This disorder usually impacts areas such as the chest, shoulder, arm, hand. People with this disorder tend to have a part of their pectoralis major, an important chest muscle, missing. In most cases, this missing muscle goes from the upper arm to the breastbone which is why the arm and shoulders are affected as well. This missing muscle can further lead to shorter ribs, breast abnormalities, and underdeveloped chest wall muscles.
Another part of the body that Poland syndrome can impact would be the hands. The hand on the affected side of the body can appear to be webbed, have shorter fingers, and even have fingers that are fused together. Depending on the severity of the condition, some people can have difficulty using their affected hand. The main visual impact of this disorder would be one side of the body appearing shorter than the other creating a noticeable asymmetry. While these visual differences become more noticeable when an individual with this disorder hits puberty, some have such symptoms being present since birth.
Who Discovered Poland Syndrome?
Dr. Alfred Poland, a medical student, was dissecting a cadaver when he noticed that the body had some unexplainable deformities. After sketching and writing a report on his findings, Dr. Poland came to conclude that this unusual abnormality in the body was caused by the underdevelopment of the chest wall and the pectoralis major muscle. Since Poland discovered this disorder in 1841, it was named after him and is now known as Poland Syndrome.
Causes Of Poland Syndrome
While the direct causes of this syndrome are unknown, most researchers have linked it with disruption of blood flow that occurs during the development phase of a fetus before birth. Researchers also believe that this disruption tends to occur during the sixth week of the development of an embryo. Since the blood vessels that enable the chest wall and chest muscles to form are impacted by this disruption, the visual and physical symptoms appear. Additionally, some rare cases of Poland Syndrome have also been linked to genetic changes being passed down from families, however, no related gene of this sort has ever been identified.
Signs And Symptoms Of Poland Syndrome
Some common symptoms of this disorder include:
The absence of some of the chest muscles
The end of the main chest muscle that attaches to the breast bone being missing
The breast and nipple being underdeveloped or missing
Very short or webbed fingers
Armpit hair being missing
The skin in the affected areas to be underdeveloped and having a thin subcutaneous fat layer
The upper rib cage being underdeveloped or missing
Rare issues with the kidney and spine
How Do You Treat Poland Syndrome?
Since in most cases, the effects of this syndrome tend to be visual rather than physical, reconstruction surgeries tend to be a common treatment for this syndrome. Still, getting surgical treatments will not only improve an individual’s visual appearance, but they will also improve body functionality. Plastic surgery that involves rebuilding the chest wall and placing the ribs in their right places also tends to be a standard form of treatment. Most often, men can treat Poland Syndrome with a silicone pectoral implant to increase volume in the chest.
For females, breast reconstruction surgeries can also be performed since it is one of the main affected areas. There are various different surgical options that are available and can be used to treat Poland syndrome, however, these surgical options differ from person to person depending on the severity of their condition and the areas of their body that are impacted.
BodyBanking and Fat Transfer
One specific type of surgical treatment that can be used for Poland Syndrome would be BodyBanking. BodyBanking is a form of plastic surgery that has been developed by Dr. Douglas Steinbrech. It basically involves transferring fat from one part of the body to another part of the body that needs more of it. In this case, the targeted area would most likely be the chest region as the muscles there are most impacted by the syndrome.
Transferring more fat in the chest areas that are missing or underdeveloped due to this disorder allows for the body to appear more proportionate and symmetrical. Since body fat is a natural filler without any serious side effects, BodyBanking can be one of the most convenient forms of surgery one can get in order to treat Poland syndrome.
Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech and the Alpha Male Plastic Surgery Group opens new Chicago Location practice, which will start accepting patients from March 1st. This new Chicago practice will be located at 737 N Michigan Ave, Suite 2140. Dr. Steinbrech found it necessary to expand after acquiring much success from his practice locations in New York and Los Angeles, In fact, there were even some cases of patients who utilized a fly-in program and came into the existing locations from other cities.
Dr. Steinbrech first launched his New York City practice in 2013 for men seeking plastic surgery services. The demands for his services became even stronger as a result of the great efforts from Dr. Steinbrech and his team. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the demand for minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures in general increased by nearly 200% since the 2000s. All of these factors led Dr. Steinbrech to open a second practice in Beverly Hills.
Now with the demand for plastic surgery services (especially for men) increasing across the country, this Chicago location will make such services more accessible to more men.
Alpha Male Plastic Surgery Group Opens New Chicago Location
The Different Services Provided
This new Chicago location will provide all the various plastic surgery services found in the NYC and LA locations. Both cosmetic and surgical proceedures shall be offered. These services will includ liposuction, Botox, fillers, fat transfer, and other surgical implants. Other services include gynecomastia, facelifts, chin/jaw augmentation, neck lift, and CoolSculpting. All of these services have becomeincreasingly popular amongst men. For reference, the demand for male Botox injection services has risen over 400% from 2019 to 2020.
The services provided by Dr. Steinbrech are even more unique and one of a kind as they are specifically geared towards me. The main goal of all of these procedures is to help men improve their appearance, become more confident, and easily address any insecurities they might have about their looks. Whether their issues involve some extra fat on their face and neck area, the desire to look younger, or some unwanted pounds in their bodies, MPS has it all covered.
More About Dr. Steinbrech
Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech, a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons under the American Board of Medical Specialities, is based in New York and Los Angeles. He has spent eight years training at New York University in General and Plastic Surgery. He is best known for BodyBanking®, a procedure designed specifically for men that allows the transfer of fat from an undesirable part of the body to the other.
In 2020, Dr. Steinbrech spearheaded the release of the industry’s quintessential textbook on male aesthetic plastic surgery alongside some of the field’s top surgeons. He is very excited about the new location launch in Chicago and helping even more men in that area. To continue pursuing his passion for male plastic surgery, Dr. Steinbrech is further looking forward to expanding into the Miami area soon and launching a new line of post-operative garments to aid patients through the healing process of surgeries.
Easily the most common cosmetic procedure carried out in the United States, Botox is used to smooth the lines which, over time, develop in the face. A minimally invasive procedure, Botox is quick, safe, and effective when administered by a medical professional, and can leave your face looking younger by eliminating the fine lines and wrinkles which develop over time, while also preventing new ones from appearing.
In addition to its cosmetic use, Botox may also be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, from migraines to facial spasming. Although the procedure is not considered risky and the overall risk is minimal, like all medical and cosmetic procedures, Botox does not come without possible side effects. It is important to become familiar with and consider them before electing to receive treatment
It is important to note that the risk of side effects is increased when BOTOX injections are delivered by those inexperienced in the practice. When using experts such as Dr. Steinbrech, the following risks are substantially diminished and the procedure is considered extremely safe. Most reactions and side effects occur around the injection site. Most often, the procedure can cause mild pain, swelling, bruising and headaches. These symptoms tend to range from mild to moderate in severity, but they are also temporary, and generally fade and disappear within a few days.
Other, less common side effects of Botox include dry mouth, nausea, blurred vision and muscle weakness. Allergic reactions to Botox are rare, but it is important to know their signs and symptoms in the event that they occur; possible signs of an allergic reaction include swelling of the tongue, throat or mouth, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, or the development of a rash. It is important to always talk to your doctor before undergoing any medical treatment.
Fortunately, many people that receive treatment do not experience serious side effects, and among those who experience any at all, they tend to resolve within days to weeks. When Botox is performed by highly trained professionals, it results in a healthy, natural, and younger look for male patients, and the risk of bruising is greatly reduced.
As a member of the International Society of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Steinbrech is a well-trained, highly experienced specialist in performing BOTOX injections. Not only does his expertise reduce the possibility and severity of bruising, headaches and other side effects, but it also ensures that the procedure will be successful in providing patients with a smoother, more youthful-looking face. Inexperienced practitioners, in addition to increasing the risk of negative side effects for patients, can leave your face looking unnatural, frozen, or overfilled. Fortunately, Dr. Steinbrech’s years of experience and record of patient satisfaction ensures that patients are left with a natural, fresh look with negligible negative side effects. Gynecomastia Treatment For Chicago Men, Bodybuilder, Fat Grafting Before And After Gallery, Hooded Vest – Black, Buccal Fat Removal, Calf Implants For Men In Chicago, What Is Bodybanking Fort Lauderdale, Liposuction Procedure For Men In Miami
Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, can happen to men of all ages. It affects 40 to 60 percent of the male population, which makes it quite common. The causes can be linked to hormone imbalance, genetics, disease or the side effects of certain medications. Gynecomastia can occur on one side of the chest, or sometimes both, and the breasts grow larger or more uneven. Oftentimes, men who suffer from gynecomastia experience feelings such as embarrassment, emotional distress or avoidance of intimacy.
There is treatment available, however, for men who are looking for a flatter and firmer appearance in their chest. Specially trained plastic surgeons such as Dr. Douglas Steinbrech have the experience and extensive knowledge when it comes to performing male breast reduction surgery. But, how safe is gynecomastia surgery really?
How do I know if I have gynecomastia?
Oftentimes, gynecomastia can be confused with the presence of fatty tissue in overweight men. The telltale signs of gynecomastia include pain, tenderness or swelling in the breasts that may increase over time. If a patient is going off of touch, gynecomastia can feel like a small, firm lump under the nipple area of either one or both breasts. By appearance, the swollen tissue will resemble female breasts or “man boobs.” To rule out other conditions such as breast cancer, the patient should be evaluated through a mammogram, MRI or further testing suggested by a doctor.
What to expect with gynecomastia surgery:
If a male patient has complaints regarding lumps in his breast or excess fat in the chest area, liposuction is the best option for achieving male breast reduction. Through liposuction, the surgeon is able to remove excess glandular tissue through a minor incision leaving minimal scarring behind. The whole procedure takes two hours and can be performed while a patient is under general anesthesia. However, liposuction for gynecomastia can also be performed under local anesthesia.
What to know before:
Pre-surgery, it is advised that patients stop all medications that could increase the risk of bleeding. It’s also recommended that a patient stops smoking and increases their nutrition for faster healing. A good candidate for gynecomastia should:
Have a condition that cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
Be of relatively normal weight
Have no life-threatening illness or underlying medical conditions
Be a non-smoker and non-drug user
Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for improving his appearance
Be of a certain age where their breasts are fully developed
Are uncomfortable with their breasts being too large
What is the recovery process like?
Post-surgery, expect that drains will be placed to reduce the chance of fluid collection but will later be removed during a post-operative visit. Patients will also be asked to wear a special compression garment to help support the new chest contours. The overall downtime for gynecomastia surgery is minimal, roughly one week, and the results of the surgery are permanent considering there’s no future weight gain. (Click for a look at our process.)
Is gynecomastia surgery safe?
Male breast reduction surgery to treat gynecomastia is considered to be an incredibly safe procedure. Most male patients experience good outcomes in addition to a smooth recovery and surgery. Much of this depends on your surgeon and how experienced they are with performing a male breast reduction.
A facelift, also known as a Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves signs of visible aging found in the face and neck. But did you know there are non-surgical facelift options available? Fillers are an easy, non-invasive way to reshape the face and achieve desired results in no time. There is a wide array of fillers to select from, depending on what a client is anticipating in their results. Botox®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra® are all fillers that board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steinbrech has successfully treated his patients with. When deciding which filler is the “best,” it depends on the treatment and results in mind.
Botox®
As we age, contracting face muscles will cause facial lines to develop, especially around the eyes and mouth, between the eyebrows and on the forehead. Botox® treatments can prevent the deepening of these lines in facial movements and even erase signs of aging, resulting in a younger and more refreshed appearance. It is also one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Botox® is made from a highly purified protein that is very safe when administered by a qualified physician. It relaxes the muscles in the face that cause wrinkles and smooths the lines in the skin that can make you look tired or angry. It can also be used for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and eye and neck spasms.
Restylane®
Restylane® has been safely used since 1996 worldwide. It is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips and shape facial contours. The most common treatment areas being the lines between the eyebrows and the folds from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth. Restylane® is able to bind with water which offers the benefit of longer-lasting results. It is a clear, synthetic gel made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that is found throughout the body. The gel adds volume and fullness to smooth facial wrinkles and folds. As it integrates into dermal tissue, it attracts and binds to water molecules to maintain volume. It is non-animal-based and fully biocompatible, making allergy testing not required.
Radiesse
Radiesse® is a synthetic injectable filler that reduces wrinkles, creases and scars by augmenting the body’s natural collagen supply. It is composed of microspheres in a biocompatible gel, made of the same minerals found in our bones making little risk for allergic reactions. Treatments typically take only 15 minutes and require a local anesthetic to numb any pain. Results are visible immediately and can last for months or years and be repeated as often as a client wants. It has been approved by the FDA to restore and correct signs of lipoatrophy in patients with HIV.
By administering Radiesse, the body’s own natural supply of collagen is stimulated to provide more volume and definition. Compared to other fillers, it is much longer-lasting. Patients are excited by the uplifting results they get from this filler, with over 80% reporting a high early satisfaction rate with long-lasting results at month 12, without retreatment.
Sculptra®
Sculptra®counteracts lipoatrophy, similarly to Radiesse. It is injected into the deep dermis layer of skin to improve the appearance of sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations and wrinkles. It is composed of an alpha hydroxy acid that has been used for the past 20 years. Results can last up to two years.
Treatment Areas
When deciding which filler is the best for you, it’s important to look at what area is being treated. Botox® is best for facial lines, such as crow’s feet beneath the eyes, frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal lines across the forehead, worry lines around the mouth and lines on the neck.
Though plastic surgery can be used to remove fat, it is not recommended to be used explicitly to lose weight. The best and safest results from plastic surgery come after the weight has already been lost and clients are living active and healthy lifestyles. With that in mind, there are ways to remove unwanted, stubborn fat that has not responded to diet and exercise namely liposuction and fat transfer (BodyBanking®).
Body Contouring After Weight Loss
After losing a lot of weight, many clients have excess skin that serves as a reminder of their former selves. Through body contouring, surgeons can remove excess skin then lift and tighten areas such as buttocks, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, and arms in the same procedure. Liposuction can then be used to remove the excess fat and augmentation can be done in the buttocks where weight loss may have caused flattening.
Dr. Steinbrech is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon that specializes in liposculpting for men in NYC and LA. Hi-Def Liposculpting with BodyBanking® is a less invasive alternative to traditional liposculpting that is designed to safely and effectively eliminate fatty deposits that are resistant to traditional weight loss and dieting. Hi-Def Liposculpting by Dr. Steinbrech can be used to chisel the perfect six-pack and pelvic lines.
Hi-Def Liposculpting involves taking out excess fat from the target area in order to create a slim, muscular, or athletic-looking appearance. This procedure alone can take one to five hours depending on the amount of fat being removed. Either local or general anesthesia is used depending on the size of the area. Small incisions are made in the target area and ultrasonic energy is transmitted into the area to break the cellular membranes surrounding the fat cells.
Many of his patients combine this procedure with Dr. Steinbrech’s unique BodyBanking® procedure. BodyBanking® is performed by taking the fat removed in the liposculpting, cleaning it, and reusing it for fat injections all at the same time as the primary procedure. This can give clients the more defined abs and fuller calves, arms, or pecs they’re looking for all in one procedure.
Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction is the single most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States today. It sculpts the body by removing unwanted fat that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise. Fat can be removed from the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck. Male patients often consider this procedure for the removal of their “love handles” (waist).
The procedure only requires small incisions to be made and the fat is melted by ultrasonic energy. The melted fat is then suctioned out, all without damaging other cells in the body. These areas can be further accentuated by superficial liposuction to make deeper grooves in the underlying tissues.
This procedure not only offers the potential for a slimmer contoured body, but also ensures that these areas will not accumulate more fatty deposits in the future. This is not considered a weight-loss procedure as it is only able to remove small, localized concentrations of fat. Following the procedure, many can return to work within a few days but any activity requiring strain of the body should be avoided for a month at a minimum.
Benefits of BodyBanking®
Selective Fat Transfer when performing liposuction procedures allows for the number of fat cells to remain fairly constant which prevents disproportionate fat growth if there is weight gain in the future. Body fat works as an outstanding, natural filler material and can be used to fill and shape areas of the face and body for male patients. Dr. Steinbrech also uses his unique MuscleShadowing technique to create more definition around the specific muscle groups, such as the deltoids, biceps, triceps, chest, quads and calves. The average time of this procedure is only one hour and the injections may last anywhere from a few months to permanently.
The permanence of this procedure varies for each individual. Side effects of minor swelling or bruising can occur but typically subside within two days. Some fat can be reabsorbed into the body so the amount of fat that is injected into the body is greater than the amount needed. The extra fat cells allow for the right amount of volume in the desired results.
Additionally, there is little to no downtime for recovery and any discomfort is minimal. Using the patient’s own body fat means that there is no need for pre-testing as the fat cannot be rejected. This can also be a good alternative if the patient is allergic to bovine collagen. When combined with the liposculpting, this is a cost-effective option for patients and allows them to get more defined abs and fuller calves, arms, or pecs all in one procedure.
Eyelid surgery can help men get rid of the extra eyelid skin, muscle, or fat, and tighten it to restore their youthful appearance. On some occasions, you need the surgery on upper as well as lower eyelids. Just like women, droopy, wrinkled, or baggy eyelids are huge turn-offs for men. These are the main reasons why men consider undergoing eyelid surgery to rejuvenate their look.
There are different types of eyelid surgeries for men that many people are not aware of. Knowing the types of surgeries will help you figure out which one is suitable for you; these include blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, and a brow lift.
Blepharoplasty
An eyelift surgery has another name, “blepharoplasty” and it is a surgical procedure to lift the position of the upper eyelid margin. Through this procedure, a plastic surgeon tightens the muscle and tendon to elevate the eyelid.
On some occasions, men undergo blepharoplasty surgery if the heavy excessive skin weighs down the upper eyelid, making it droop.
This procedure is perfect for men who have the following issues:
Extra muscle or fat in the upper eyelid is causing puffiness.
Eyelid wrinkles due to excess skin.
Folds in the eyelid because of sagging skin.
Droopy eyelids.
Eye bags below eyelids.
Blepharoplasty is an effective surgery for removing or repositioning fat to remove puffiness and trim the excess skin.
Ptosis Repair
Typically, ptosis is a droopy upper lid, which partly covers the pupil. Ptosis can lead to a tired or disheveled appearance and may even obstruct vision. The ptosis repair surgery can give men a more youthful and rejuvenated look, along with improving the sight.
During the procedure, a surgeon performs a delicate surgery to lift the upper eyelids by working on the eyelid muscles that often weaken with age. It is possible to repair the ptosis internally without making any incision over the eyelid.
Brow Lift
These days, many men seek help in making their eyelids appear more rejuvenated through brow lift. The improvement with this eyebrow lift procedure is striking.
There is a multitude of approaches to carry out brow lift procedures. A surgeon can perform an eyebrow lift by lifting the eyebrows laterally or can lift them completely through an endoscopic method.
During the process, the surgeon creates an incision over the scalp, or along the hairline. There are various criteria to decide on one particular surgical procedure over the other.
Choosing the Best Male Plastic Surgery Specialist
All of these different eyelid surgeries may appear to treat the same issues. However, after a thorough examination and evaluation by a board-certified, skilled, and experienced cosmetic surgeon, you will get to know which eyelid surgery is the best for you.
This month, Dr. Steinbrech joined the Create Your Own Life Podcast host, Jeremy Ryan Slate. In the episode, Dr. Steinbrech talks about following his passion and how to go from a brand new idea to fostering that concept into something successful. He also talks about how the medical programs at NYU inspired him to transition from an early idea to pursue cardiac surgery to aesthetics – an industry that speaks more to his creativity.
“With women in aesthetics, we’ve all kind of got it figured out. We’ve been doing breast augmentations and rhinoplasty on women for basically the last 50 or 60 years. There’s a lot of innovations. For men, we were in the [figurative] 1950 or 1960s in terms of technology, products, and techniques. In residency programs, no one really teaches men’s plastic surgery.
We’ve been taught that men don’t want it. They’re too cool for it. Only women want it… men have been left out of the game. The challenge is educating men and teaching surgeons how to work on men. Now the technology and the ability to hide incisions is out there. That’s why I released my textbook Male Aesthetic Plastic Surgery which is out now on Amazon.”
