A recent article on Modern Medicine Network discussed many of the differences in how men and women approach their plastic surgery procedures. Working off of experience gained through his own practice, the author explained that, while there are certain biological differences that make female procedures different than male procedures, some of the biggest differences are the attitudes that each gender tends to bring towards their procedures. The two most valuable points made by the article are regarding how male and female patients communicate with their doctors, and when talking about the number of procedures that each gender may seek.

• Doctor-Patient Communication – In the article, the author explained that he experienced several instances where male patients didn’t seem particularly receptive to instructions to rest and take things easy while recovering from a procedure. In our experience, both male and female patients seem to be good at following doctor instructions during their recovery. However, we take note of a recent study that showed female patients often have an easier time describing to their doctors what they hope to get out of their procedure. The study, which focused specifically on male and female rhinoplasty procedures, implied that men tend to have a slightly lower satisfaction rate with their rhinoplasty procedures, most likely due to the fact that male patients and doctors are less likely to be on the same page before the procedures. Yet, this problem can be remedied with a highly attentive and thorough surgeon who is committed to appropriate communication with patients.
• Number of Procedures – While the number of procedures that a patient seeks may not be directly tied to gender, the article notes that it is often more common for female patients to opt for multiple procedures rather than men. With our own patients, many of the male patients who come to us for a procedure do so to get a single “problem” fixed, such as gynecomastia (overly large male breasts) or a nose they feel is overly crooked or too big. Female patients, on the other hand, tend to adapt an attitude of constant self-improvement. It’s possible that female patients may more often plan out their procedures for a long time, and may begin planning for the next procedure once they have fully recovered from the last.