LONDON: The number of middle-aged men undergoing cosmetic surgery in the United Kingdom has doubled in just five years as they struggle to come to terms with 'menopaunch', according to a report.

Men aged over 50 are spending thousands of pounds and taking weeks off work to have liposuction and other procedures such as eye bag removal (blepharoplasty) in attempts to remove stubborn fat, The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday, quoting a cosmetic surgery company as saying.Figures produced by The Harley Medical Group show that liposuction -- including work done on the abdomen, flanks, chest and chin areas -- accounts for 24 per cent of surgical procedures for 50-something men.

This was followed by blepharoplasty (21 per cent), face lifts (14 per cent), rhinoplasty or nose operations (11 per cent), tummy tucks (eight per cent), neck lifts (seven per cent) and ear surgery (two per cent)."We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of 50-something male patients coming into our clinics. Liposuction is the most popular procedure. The amount of fat removed can range from 50 ml to three litres," the newspaper quoted Harley's Director Liz Dale as saying.

However, she stressed that liposuction, which costs about 3,700 pounds, should be done only for "stubborn fat" and "was not a quick cure for weight gain".

Surgeons check that patients have taken steps to reduce their weight before agreeing to liposuction, she said.

"Males account for a quarter of blepharoplasty procedures at The Harvey Medical Group, with 60 per cent of those from the over-50s age group," said Patrick Whitfield, a surgeon.

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