Intimate reboot: why Russian men en masse go to plastic surgeons
Increasingly, the "ideal body" for Russian men begins not in the gym, but in the operating room: in five years, the flow of clients to plastic surgeons has grown by almost half, and intimate operations are steadily gaining popularity in the list of procedures. At the same time, according to experts, the desire to "correct" the appearance is often not based on medical indications, but on the pressure of social networks, pornography and psychological trauma. Izvestia tells us more about why Russians resort to plastic surgery.
How much has men's interest in plastic surgery grown?
Saro Benjanyan, a urologist and andrologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, head of the Proclinic clinic, notes that in recent years men's interest in plastic surgery has become truly widespread. According to him, in 2026, the number of applications increased by about 40% compared to 2021.
— Among the most popular procedures are liposuction, breast correction, as well as intimate operations, including ligamentotomy, lipofilling, implantation and other methods of penis enlargement. Men are becoming more and more open to improving their appearance and striving to improve their quality of life," the doctor said.
Moreover, the age of most patients is in the range of 30 to 50 years.
— At this age, men have already become professional, but they continue to be critical of their bodies. Requests vary from purely aesthetic to functional, related to improving sexual life or correcting anatomical features," the specialist explained.
Medical indications or psychological injuries
Benjanian notes that in most cases, patients have no direct medical indications for corrective plastic surgery.
— Psychological discomfort and self-doubt become the main factor. However, there are also objective causes — injuries or congenital anomalies that really require surgical correction," he said.
Psychologist Artyom Tarayants believes that the growing interest in plastic surgery reflects deeper social processes. Among the key factors, he cites the pressure of social media and the influence of popular culture. According to him, the role of pornography in shaping ideas about male sexuality is particularly noticeable.
— Modern men under the age of 40 have practically grown up on content with a distorted image of success in sex, where everything is built around the size of the genitals. Even if there is a partner who is satisfied with everything, a man may continue to think that something is wrong with him," the psychologist explained.
He emphasizes that surgical intervention in such cases does not always solve the problem.
— A successful operation can temporarily reduce anxiety, but it will not eliminate internal conflict. An unsuccessful result, on the contrary, can completely destroy self—esteem," the expert added.
The illusion of an ideal self
Tarayants cites popular trends such as the culture of virtual narcissism and the endless pursuit of youth as another reason for turning to surgeons.
— Men strive to match their idealized image, which is broadcast on social networks. In this case, the operation can work until the first serious stress, after which the illusion collapses," he noted.
Also, according to the psychologist, often the roots of body dissatisfaction go back to adolescence.
— School bullying and ridicule due to appearance form a fixation on individual features. The operation itself does not cure the injury, but if a person is already able to cope with its consequences, the intervention sometimes becomes a symbolic transition to a new state," Tarayants explained.
Risks of operations and recovery
As Saro Benjanyan emphasizes, intimate plastic surgery, like any surgical procedure, is fraught with risks.
— These include infectious complications, bleeding, and the possibility of an unsatisfactory aesthetic result. Rehabilitation takes from several days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the operation. During this period, it is extremely important to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations and limit physical activity," the specialist explained.
According to the doctor, the number of specialists who know the techniques of male intimate plastic surgery is gradually growing, but their level of training may vary significantly.
— The patient should pay attention to the experience of the surgeon, the availability of certificates, the results of previous operations and the reputation of the clinic. This helps to minimize risks and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome," Benjanian said.
Why it's important not to rush into a decision
Artyom Tarayants believes that before surgery, men should evaluate their own motivation and, if necessary, consult with a psychologist.
— It is recommended to undergo a diagnosis, possibly a course of psychotherapy. If, after working out the psychological reasons, the desire to have surgery persists, then intervention can be considered. The main thing is that the psychological ecology of the process is respected," he stressed.
According to the specialist, in cases where the operation is performed to eliminate an objective physical defect, it is really capable of improving the quality of life and the emotional state of the patient. However, if you try to resolve exclusively internal conflicts surgically, the effect may be temporary.
Experts agree that the growing interest of men in plastic surgery reflects profound social changes. However, before going under the knife, it is important to understand your own motivation, assess the possible consequences and risks. According to experts, this approach makes it possible to turn medical intervention not into an attempt to escape from internal problems, but into a conscious and safe step.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
