Breast implants: they aren't only for women any more. A physically fit man doesn't have breasts, of course, but he does have a breast ? singular! More often referred to as the chest, the area of the male body at the upper front of the thorax is the home of the the pectoralis major muscles, better known as pecs -- two powerful muscles that make up the main part of the chest muscles in the male. The size and appearance of the pecs are arguably the most noticeable and well-known sign of male beauty, strength and virility.

And given this fact, it is no surprise that the number of men seeking to enhance the look of their pecs through plastic surgery is growing in such a spectacular manner. One of the most widespread methods of accomplishing this goal is through the use of male pectoral implants. For men who are unable to build up their pecs through exercise due to constraints of time, or for those whose appearance has been compromised due to birth defects or injuries, male pectoral implants may be the best treatment option.

Unlike the soft, liquid- or gel-filled breast implants typically used for female enhancement, male pectoral implants are made of firm, yielding silicone, solid through and through, to match the substantial look and feel of the male chest. The surgical procedure is straightforward and generally performed on an outpatient basis. Although the recovery and post-operative healing processes are neither brief nor without discomfort, most patients will full recover fully within six weeks or less.

Complications associated with male pectoral implant are a real possibility. While most male pectoral implant operations are without problem, the most common possible post-operative complications include opportunistic infections, hematoma (blood buildup outside the blood vessels, seroma (body fluid buildup), numbness of the upper arm and other effects. Shifting of the implants may also occur.

Should any of these complications pose a serious threat to the patient's health, the implants can be removed.

The recovery process can be relatively lengthy and unpleasant, requiring a great deal of patience and willpower on the part of the patient. Patients who smoke will be required to quit, since smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and increases the risk of poor healing, permanent scarring, loss of skin or discoloration.

The decision to have male pectoral implant surgery is not one to be made lightly. The solid nature of the implants means that the surgeon must carefully shape them to produce the desired aesthetic effect prior to implanting them. Not all surgeons possess the technique and artistic ability to realistically model the male pectoral muscles in silicone, and not every surgeon will have the ability to precisely place the implants in such a way as to make shifting impossible. A patient considering the procedure should first investigate if male pectoral implants are appropriate in his case, then discuss the prospect with a board-certified plastic surgeon.