Dr. Saber’s Blog
A well-sculpted midsection has always been one of the most vital indicators of health, strength, and ruggedness. But for many men, despite months of strict dieting and rigorous exercise, that last layer of loose skin may continue covering the abdominal area, preventing a six-pack from emerging.
When this happens, plastic surgery offers a simple solution: a “tummy tuck” to pull the extra skin and tighten the muscles. Now, more men than ever are discovering the esthetic benefits of plastic surgery.
Also known as an abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery removes excess fat and abdominal skin, contouring the skin around the abdominal muscles and creating a firmer appearance.
Approximately 140,000 tummy tucks are performed annually in the U.S. – and approximately 97% are done on women.
Abdominoplasties are particularly popular after massive weight loss, leaving a lot of saggy skin behind. However, genetics, age, or frequent weight fluctuations can also create “skin laxity” around the belt line.
Tummy tuck procedures help reveal the lean abdominal contour that may already be present. They remove excess skin and may even help diminish a few stubborn fat pockets, but they are not weight loss surgery.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 140,000 tummy tucks are performed annually in the U.S. – and approximately 97% are done on women. As a result, those who would be interested in a tummy tuck for men often have a hard time visualizing the possible benefits of this surgical procedure.
At a glance, a tummy tuck follows the same steps for patients of both genders: a plastic surgeon will make an incision close to the belly button and, from there, remove excess skin, pull down the remaining skin to make it firmer, and then reposition the belly button before closing the incision site.
But the art of cosmetic surgery—and especially the final results—depends a lot on the details. When performing a male tummy tuck, a surgeon will generally pay more attention to following the shape of the muscles below. This will make the midsection look more defined without tightening the upper abdomen or creating a narrower waist.
Not all male bodies are created equal – and neither are everyone’s dream results. Depending on each male patient’s needs, plastic surgeons will usually opt between four different types of tummy tucks:
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Abdominoplasties are usually very personalized, with each surgeon altering the exact locations and extent of each “tug” to meet a specific goal. As a result, the profile for men seeking tummy tucks tends to vary greatly—but not everyone is equally suited for this plastic surgery procedure.
Male tummy tucks are best for:
For patients who are not quite at their ideal weight yet, the tummy tuck can be combined with localized liposuction or with a breast reduction for those experiencing gynecomastia (a non-cancerous condition that causes abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in men).
Not all types of tummy tucks are equally suited for all patients. Generally speaking, the “mini tuck” is best suited for men who need a final push of body contouring. At the same time, the complete or extended versions will better address love handles on men with naturally bulkier frames.
Finally, the fleur de lys procedure is usually the best option for anyone who has lost a significant amount of weight (100 pounds or more).
Men now opt for more cosmetic procedures, from botox, face lifts, or liposuction, at unprecedented rates. And yet, there are still few places where men can discuss plastic surgery freely and without fear of judgment. This leaves them little room to ask questions without any “strings attached.”
Let’s look at some of the most common questions I hear during the initial consultation for a male tummy tuck.
A liposuction is a procedure meant to “suction” or remove fat cells underneath the skin. In that way, it is often considered a “weight loss” surgery, as it directly lowers the number of fat cells in a specific area – although these can grow back without a proper fitness plan!
Meanwhile, an abdominoplasty pulls the skin after weight loss. It doesn’t reduce fat or help with weight loss beyond the weight of the skin itself.
Tummy tucks are major surgery and require general anesthesia, so there are some inherent risks.
The most common complications are infections near the incision sites, bleeding, and generalized bruising – which are treatable once you have competent physicians at hand who are ready to act promptly.
Occasionally, patients may develop “hypertrophic scarring,” which will make the scars harder to hide, which can be detrimental to self-confidence.
On rare occasions, more severe complications, such as pulmonary embolisms or deep vein thrombosis, can prove fatal. However, this affects less than 0.05% of abdominoplasty patients. When done correctly and by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, tummy tucks are considered safe.
The recovery process after an abdominoplasty surgery can last up to three months, but most patients can expect to return to their regular activities after six weeks. The journey can be roughly divided into the following stages:
You will likely need help moving or getting up from bed for the first few days. You may also feel tired or constipated, as your bowels may take a few days to “wake up” fully. You will likely need some form of pain medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil). You may also have small drainage tubes near the incision sites, which the doctor will remove during your first check-up.
Between 5 and 15 days after the procedures, the doctor will remove the bandages and drainage tubes. Over the next month, you will progressively regain movement and see your skin heal. During this period, you will need to use a compression garment. Depending on your occupation, you will likely return to work during this time – but it will be best to steer clear of any heavy lifting.
Over the final month, the sutures will continue to heal, and the swelling will subside. The total time needed before you see the final results will depend on your overall health condition, constitution, and the type of abdominoplasty you had.
Male tummy tuck scars will depend a lot on the type of abdominoplasty you had and the exact location of the sutures.
For a mini tuck, most patients often end up with a single incision across the lower abdomen. Experienced surgeons will usually try to hide the scar beneath the underwear line.
For a full or extended tuck, you will also likely see another scar close to the belly button.
After a fleur-de-lys tuck, you may also need an extra line in the upper abdomen, usually around the end of the rib cage.
Dr. Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering care for patients of all genders throughout the Los Angeles area.
Dr. Saber graduated from Stanford University’s world-renowned medical school. Then, she specialized in reconstructive and plastic surgery at the University of Southern California (USC). She rounded off her experience with a New York University (NYU) fellowship in hand surgery and microsurgery.
Call (877) 205-4100 to request a consultation or schedule a consultation online.
Dr. Saber’s practice is located in Encino, CA, and serves patients throughout the Los Angeles area. We are also convenient to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, and Echo Park.