At the 121212 concert for Hurricane Sandy Relief, Roger Daltry's chest was the breakout star. The 68-year-old rocker of The Who's Tommy fame was the talk of the Twitterverse the next day.
Midlife women were abuzz about it on Facebook (yes, I had missed it), and so I Googled along with the rest of them – his scar especially was a point of interest. Apparently, Daltry has had the scar since his early chest-baring days. But this round resulted in an exploration of a number of midlife men's chests by the Daily Beast! The real point of interest was his age in regard to the youthful look of said bared chest.
While we're sure Roger Daltry comes by his good-looking physique the old-fashioned way – hard work and a healthy diet (well, were not sure of anything, we don't know), I asked Dr. David Teplica, a renowned Chicago plastic surgeon who specializes in male cosmetic work, if Daltry's chest was achievable, even if you've let yourself go for a few years. Here is his response:
Roger Daltry may indeed be genetically privileged! But many guys struggle for years or decades before realizing that the shape of the chest is controlled mostly by genetics and by exposure to hormonal influence in the uterus or during puberty or later during middle age.
Weight issues
For example, if a guy is heavier than average during puberty, then exposure to estrogen stored in the excess fat can cause over-development of male breast tissue that permanently camouflages the underlying pectoralis muscles — making it nearly impossible to see masculine definition on the chest (even if the pecs are huge).
Steroids
Exposure to non-prescription (and therefore illegal) anabolic steroids not only causes growth of muscle mass, but also often stimulates overgrowth of male breast tissue that hides and softens the appearance of the enlarged muscles. Later in middle age, it is very common for men to experience breast growth. Whether this is due to a shift in the testosterone/estrogen balance or due to inherited genetic factors is not yet understood, but the resulting feminization of the chest can now be safely addressed.
No implants - sculpting & shaping
Placement of pectoral implants can certainly enlarge the appearance of muscle mass, but if a man has significant breast tissue (either under the nipple or in the accessory mounds which can occur in the armpit, along the sides of the chest, or on the front of the chest wall below the pectoral mound) then implants can actually create a more feminine shape unless the extra breast tissue is addressed as well. A few plastic surgeons who strive for more natural and anatomically based results are now carving away the accessory breast tissues in men without adding implants to allow the natural underlying pectoral muscles to be fully seen.
Specialists with male issues
One should choose the board certified plastic surgeon carefully, and be sure that that individual has a broad and safe experience with male issues. Since most plastic surgical procedures were specifically designed to feminize women (including liposuction used to treat male breast tissue), concerted steps must be taken to ensure that men will be appropriately masculinized."
On the right is one example of how the male chest can be subtly shaped to look, as Dr. Teplica says, "masculized." So you too, at 68 or whatever age, can finally be a rock star — or at least have a chest like one.
More info on male cosmetic work:
