FOR 20 years, Joseph, a 40-year-old property manager, has been unhappy with his unsightly paunch.
That was up till six months ago when he went for Vaser LipoSelection - a surgical procedure which superficially removes deep fat around the muscle groups, leaving some behind to enhance the body shape.
Now, the manager, who is married with a five-year-old daughter, has what Superman has: Defined, washboard abs.
Joseph said: 'No matter how much I exercised, the fat would still be there and my body shape remained ill-defined. However, after the surgery, my body looks so much more toned and welldefined. I am more confident now, especially when I take off my shirt.'
He is among an increasing number of men who are turning to aesthetic surgeons to help them look better.
Dr Wong Wen Hong, a managing director of Healthway Medical Corporation, said: 'More than ever, when faced with news of increased layoffs and financial crisis at home, bothmen and women look to cosmetic procedures to help them get ahead in the workplace.'
Dr Gerard Tan, the medical director of NeuGlow The Aesthetics Doctors, said that men who have man-boobs are extremely embarrassed about it.
He said: 'Even during consultation, some men who come to see me about the reduction of their man-boobs are shy to show them to me.'
He stressed that abdominal sculpting is not a method for losing weight. It is recommended only for patients who are at, or near, their ideal body weight.
Chances of success are greater with individuals whom he described as 'gym-fit', as they have only moderate amounts of fat under the skin.
'They would also be more likely to continue exercising and maintain the muscular definition after surgery,' he said. That is what Joseph, who paid $10,000 for the procedure, is doing.
He said: 'It is a small price to pay and a bearable post-surgery discomfort to look good.
'I am happy with the results and my wife thinks I look good, so I am very happy. I would still have to work out to maintain my six-pack but having a toned body helps to motivate you to lead a healthier lifestyle.'
