Mid-knife crisis: men turn to cosmetic ops

It has typically been heralded by a shiny new sports car, a sudden taste for expensive casualwear, or the concealment of a thinning pate with a comb-over.

Now the man in a midlife crisis has a new way of challenging the tyranny of time: cosmetic surgery.

Growing numbers are following stars such as Mickey Rourke, Roberto Cavalli and Gordon Ramsay by opting for the knife or needle. The Harley Medical Group has reported a 54 per cent year-on-year rise in men over 50 having cosmetic surgery in London.

The facelift was the most popular procedure, with a 45 per cent rise. Gynecomastia treatment - male breast reduction - was up 36 per cent. Abdominoplasty - the tummy tuck - saw a 22 per cent increase.

Lisa Littlehales, nurse counsellor at The Harley Medical Group, said: "Many older men feel surgery is more acceptable than when they were young. They have saved money they thought would go on an expensive car, but find they'd rather put this toward surgery."

A total of 38,274 procedures were carried out in Britain on men and women last year, up five per cent on 2009, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons says.

Actor Rourke, 58, had facial work to correct boxing injuries. Fashion designer Cavalli, 70, had a nose job. Ramsay, 44, underwent treatment to eradicate lines in his chin area.