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MAJOR factors in the increase in aesthetic surgery procedures for men are greater acceptability and more liberal attitudes and, of course, the growing projection of 'picture perfect' males looking good in their reconstructed glory.
Also, pictures of male models flexing their muscles or looking as cool at James Bond are as prevalent today on advertising hoardings and in the pages of glossy magazines as pretty girls.
Dr Sherif Hendi, consultant plastic reconstructive and micro-surgeon at the International Hospital in Bahrain, explained: "Men have caught on the trend of going under the knife to correct imperfections or simply to look good. Vanity does have a part to play in the rising trend.
"When I came to Bahrain 10 years ago my male patients were five per cent or less of my total patients and most of those were expatriates. Since the last two to three years the male patient numbers have grown to 10 to 15 per cent of my total patient numbers and an increasing amount of Bahrainis are walking in my clinic seeking an aesthetic procedure."
Although hospitals offering such procedures were cagey about providing exact statistics, doctors across the board in Bahrain say they have seen a marked increase in male patient numbers.
Dr Dean Cunha-Gomes, plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon at Bahrain Specialist Hospital, noted a 10 per cent increase in male plastic surgery procedures in his almost six years of practice in Bahrain.
"The ratio of female to male patients that opt for aesthetic procedures are presently 85:15 out of which 50 per cent are of Middle Eastern descent," he said.
The boom in plastic surgery universally is due to the happiness and 'feel good' factor that some patients experience as their self-esteem increases after an operation.
But plastic surgeons in the kingdom agree that during consultation they need to define the right kind of patient and be wary of people with body dismorphia (people who are obsessive about a minor physical irregularity) or those with underlying psychological issues.
"I discourage people who want to look like certain celebrities or those who've had let's suppose a rhinoplasty (nose job) done countless times and are still not happy with the result.
"But performing an aesthetic procedure on a patient who has big ears and has been teased all his life will do wonders for his self-image," explained Dr Gomes.
Dr Hendi believes plastic surgery should only be done for the right reasons.
He performed breast reduction surgery on a young Bahraini male who had a condition called gynaecomastia or 'man boobs'.
"This patient was so self conscious that he refrained from taking off his shirt and consequently shied from sports like swimming all his life.
"The procedure - liposuction and removal of a big percentage of breast tissue - positively changed his attitude towards his body image," he said.
Liposuction and hair transplant procedure top the 'most wanted' list among men in Bahrain with rhinoplasty, face and neck lift, eyelift and breast reduction following close on their heels.
The demand for a specific procedure is dependant on the age factor. Whereas men in their late 20s to early 40s normally opt for a hair transplant, rhinoplasty, breast reduction, ear surgery and liposuction, more mature men in their 50s and 60s go for face and neck lifts, eyelid surgery and liposuction.
"Botox and fillers especially for anger lines and for folds around the mouth is increasing tremendously among men," said Dr Gomes.
The jump in demand for such procedures, experts believe, shows that men are more conscious of their looks nowadays, have more disposable income and opting for cosmetic surgery is no longer looked down upon, plus the fact that physical irregularities are treatable safely.
While some men might still consider cosmetic surgery superfluous and brush it aside as 'unmanly' for others it is an ideal opportunity for a fix.
A 24-year-old Bahraini banker, who prefers to remain anonymous, is currently undergoing a hair transplant procedure at the International Hospital and feels that such a procedure is the best option to improve his looks and boost his self-confidence.
"I look much older than my age. My hair loss is due to genetics which is why I became bald at such a young age.
"Getting a hair transplant is very important for me as it will boost my social and personal life and will add positively to my self-esteem," he said.
Although his family and friends supported his decision to opt for the procedure they had reservations about the cost.
"I'm paying for the hair transplant through my wages because I know that it will have far reaching benefits for me. When I look better I'll feel better so the cost is really relative," he added.
Cost of procedures in the kingdom vary according to hospital type and the technicalities of the surgery but a typical rhinoplasty costs around BD2,000, facelifts BD3,500, tummy tucks BD2,500, hair implant and liposuction varies considerably due to the areas under treatment, for example, the amount of hair for implant or fat to be removed in liposuction.
Medics predict the number of men in Bahrain seeking surgical and non-surgical improvements will increase considerably in the future. One thing is certain ... it is not solely a girlie matter any more.
