Negative Body Image Perception in Men & Women

Self-confidence and body image is often tied together. While it is not necessarily a healthy perception or belief, we are creatures of vanity after all. Having a negative body image perception can be detrimental. Yet, in the pursuit of wanting to look better, an individual is sometimes accused of being vain when the underlying goal is to increase self-confidence and for some, to eliminate a potential health issue.

The common perception of women's want to look better

The perception that the reason a woman desires to look good is for the other gender still prevails today. While there are some truths if one considers a reason like looking for a mate, but the actuality is that - women often want to look good for themselves.

Looking good leads to feeling good, which increases self-confidence, among others. A study done reveals that in general, people look to improve their appearance for themselves and not others. Although social and professional factors are included, but this may be argued is about increasing self-confidence, which is a matter concerning one's self.

Opting for a procedure like liposuction can certainly improve a person's body confidence and appearance. It can also reduce the risk of health complications, in this case, potentially brought about by the presence of stubborn fat. People who have undergone such a procedure may also be inspired to upkeep a healthier lifestyle to maintain results and their new look.

Men's insecurities are akin to women's

When it comes to insecurities about appearance and body image, men get it too. They rarely speak about it. Perhaps most often being perceived or depicted as the stronger gender, which is faux arguably, most men tend to keep these insecurities to themselves. There are, however, those who do talk about it with their partners and eventually with their doctors.

In seeking to look better, most men would resort to purported shortcuts. These include the use of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are commonly used to build muscles, and they are a form of synthetic male hormone testosterone. Prolonged use can lead to medical and health issues, including having an adverse effect on mental wellbeing.

Common side-effects of anabolic steroid use are acne on the face and on the back. Gynecomastia is also a known side-effect where instead of developing muscles, the user experiences (male) breasts enlargement. Gynecomastia can be devastating in that it is not only a physical issue but can lead to psychological ones like depression and anxiety. These are usually brought on by a sense of low self-esteem from having the condition.

Dr. Ivan Puah, has been performing multiple body sculpting procedures such as Gynecomastia Surgery and Vaser Lipo for more than 15 years. Additionally, he has received psychiatric training at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Singapore. During his time at the IMH, he has seen referrals for patients whose issues were related to extreme dieting methods and eating disorders. He shares," Many of these are young patients in their teens, with a higher percentage of female than male. Part of managing this group of patients entails counselling, strong emotional support and close health monitoring."

Although from his experience at the IMH indicates that females seem to outnumber the males, nonetheless it also illustrates the effect of having negative body image is present in both genders.

Doctors Should Assess Patient's Body Image Perception During Consultation

A doctor needs to understand his patient's condition beyond the medical aspect. A patient suffering from gynecomastia, for example, can be carrying more than the weight of the pain or discomfort. It is not easy for them to step into a clinic or open up about the issue even to a doctor. Having empathy, being observant and possessing the right communication skills are just some factors that can help comfort and alleviate concerns. Trust is, above all, an essential component between a doctor and his patient.

The need for a doctor to understand how devastating a negative body image can affect a person can not be reiterated enough. This psychological effect can, at times, overwhelm the patient. It is not an easy task, but at the same time, it should serve as a catalyst to truly help a patient achieve their goal.

Dr. Ivan Puah understands this and can design a tailored treatment programme to best address and suit the needs of his patients. He is also able to manage the expectations of his patients to achieve a more realistic result, which is also another key ability that a doctor must possess.  

Number 1 Issue In Men: Enlarged Male Breasts

Gynecomastia is a real issue, and it is also one that is not openly discussed even by those affected. The effects of gynecomastia extend beyond the physical and men who suffer from it at times also experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a range of other issues.

While there are physical indications of the condition's presence, some remain unaware. According to Dr. Ivan Puah, "The prevalence of asymptomatic gynecomastia is 50 percent to 60 percent in adolescents and up to 70 percent in men aged 50 to 69 years. Men between 35 to 50-year-old either suffered from gynecomastia since young and finally decided to seek treatment or have recently developed the symptoms due to ageing or weight gain."

The cause of gynecomastia is hormonal imbalance, and this, among other things, can be brought about from the use of certain medications in the long-term basis.

Gynecomastia surgery is the most effective procedure to address the issue. It should be done by a qualified and trained doctor nonetheless. Dr. Ivan Puah has undergone dedicated training in gynecomastia surgery and has developed the 360 degrees Glandular Tissue Dissection (360 degrees GTD®) technique.

Unique Gynecomastia Surgery Method For Minimal Scarring

During the procedure, an endoscopic-line incision is made to allow the anaesthetic fluid to infiltrate onto the area to be treated. Endoscopic-line incisions effectively reduce the invasiveness of the procedure. Through the incision, the 360 degrees GTD® technique is performed following the physiological disposition of the glandular tissues. VASER Lipo will then be performed on fatty tissues.

Botched Body Sculpting Can Cause Worse Self-perception

Procedures like gynecomastia must be done by qualified doctors who are well trained and experienced in treating such conditions.. Botched job stories abound, and they serve as reminders of the devastating after-results. Dr. Ivan Puah has noticed a rise in botched procedures in liposuction and gynecomastia surgery among patients who opted to undergo them overseas.

The complaints he noted include miscommunication, lack of medical follow-up, improper preparation and others. Some of the complications he has seen includes:

• uneven dents or depressions on treated areas due to overly aggressive liposuction techniques,
• asymmetry or uneven lumps and bumps on the treated areas due to reasons such as a poor selection of patients (i.e. patients are not suitable for liposuction), lack of experience or skills of the doctors, and
• excessive post-liposuction tissue scarring due to improper use of liposuction equipment, high-definition liposuction performed by poorly-trained doctors.
  

The rise and popularity of beauty tourism have seen more people opting for cosmetic procedures overseas. The primary reason is it being at a lower cost and also perhaps the opportunity to explore the countries of their destination as tourists. Some critical factors are often overlooked, and these include the lack of stringent regulations and clinical checks. These inadequacies are often what leads to botched jobs. Often, these patients end up suffering from further psychological issues related to their appearance and having to fork out additional costs to correct the mistakes.

Complications from botched liposuction procedures are also on the rise, according to Dr. Ivan Puah. Excessive scarring and uneven skin textures are the most common side-effects. The issue can, however, be addressed with VASER Liposuction.

VASER Liposuction not only removes unwanted fat, but it also enables a doctor to sculpt and shape a patient's physique more efficiently. Using patented ultrasonic soundwave energy to liquefy unwanted fat cells in targeted areas, the surrounding vital connective tissues and blood vessels are left undisturbed. There is lesser downtime and discomfort involved. VASER Liposuction is also effective in addressing botched liposuction results.

Finding a good and qualified doctor is essential to address the issue of botched procedures. Botched procedures should be corrected as they can have adverse effects on the affected individual's physical and mental wellbeing.

Natural Look With Fat Grafting For That Confidence Boost

The natural look is what most patients are looking for when it comes to the end result. Fat grafting like the ADR-C Facial Enhancement (Facial Fat Grafting) can restore loss volume to the face, often associated with youthfulness.

The ADR-C Breast Enhancement is also popular among women seeking to add volume to their chest. As fat grafting involves the removal of excess fat in areas of the body where there is substantial fat and transferring that fat into the targeted areas, patients also experienced a better overall physique appearance.

Customised Treatments Are Much Preferred

Everyone has their needs and goals when it comes to seeking treatments. This personalisation of sort can be achieved with customised treatments, which Dr. Ivan Puah provides based on his assessment of his patients. Customised solution is the buzzword these days across all sectors and fields, the medical aesthetics included. Patients are also more knowledgeable and understand that the treatment of a particular type may not be enough to address their issues. As such, a doctor must be able to understand these needs, which are individual in nature. They must also be able to address them preferably with a tailored or customised treatment programme.

Amaris B. Clinic understands that walking into a clinic to address an issue is a big first step. At Amaris B. Clinic, meticulous attention has been given into the details essential for a patient's comfort and assurance. Among others, a high standard of service is prevalent throughout the clinic among its staff and doctor.

Whether a patient is seeking less complex treatments such as acne management, PICO lasers for tattoo removal and pigmentation, and anti-ageing treatment or more invasive procedures like liposuction, they can expect the same high standard of care, professionalism and skill. A patient's wellbeing is always the primary concern at Amaris B. Clinic.