Male Tummy Tuck

The basic tummy tuck procedure is the same for both men and women. There are a few subtle differences, however. Our experienced surgeons understand these differences and work with them to give you the best possible result for your male tummy tuck.

The Surgical Focus

In women, it is often necessary to repair the muscles of the abdominal wall during a tummy tuck. These muscles are often torn and damaged during pregnancy. Clearly, this is not the case for men. Because surgical repair is unnecessary, your surgeon can focus all of his efforts on removing the fat buildup and sculpting and shaping your body the way you want it. The lack of muscle repair can also make for a shorter surgery.

Your Belly Button

Sometimes during an extensive tummy tuck the belly button gets repositioned. Male and female belly buttons, although basically the same, do have small differences in placement. In females, the vertical placement is more important to an aesthetically appealing result. In men, the horizontal placement is more crucial. Scientific studies have actually been conducted on this subject. It’s important to choose an experienced plastic surgeon who understands the cosmetic appeal of the belly button when properly positioned.

Fat Removal

Men and women both frequently combine their tummy tuck procedures with liposuction. When they do, women prefer an overall toned appearance. Men, however, usually want the fat removed in such a way as to reveal the desired six-pack effect. Your surgeon will, of course, discuss your desires with you and let you know if your expectations align with the reality of the procedure.

The Incision

One goal during any cosmetic procedure is to minimize and hide scarring. This is one reason why the tummy tuck incision is made as low as possible on the abdomen. But women’s garments aren’t shaped the same way as men’s. Women’s underwear and bikini bottoms often have a curved waistline for a softer more feminine look. This makes it necessary for the surgeon to curve their incision to make it easier to hide any scarring under certain clothing. An incision simply made straight across from hip to hip may show when a woman is sporting a bikini at the beach. Men’s fashions tend to lack this curvy design and focus more on straight lines. Chances are the waistband on a man’s swim trunks or briefs is straight rather than curved. As such the surgeon can focus on making a low incision but may be able to cut in a straight line rather than making a curve.

Meet the daddy do-over. Just as women can combine multiple procedures into a mommy makeover, men can do the same in a procedure often referred to as a daddy do-over. This practice allows you to combine multiple cosmetic procedures into one surgery, meaning you need only go under (and pay for) anesthesia once and you have only one recovery period. Fortunately, you need not actually be a daddy to customize a daddy do-over for yourself. You can generally combine any procedures you wish so long as your surgeon deems them safe to do together. Male tummy tucks can usually be combined with liposuction, lipo 360, facelifts, gynecomastia repair, arm lifts, thigh lifts, and more. Most surgeons don’t like to combine BBLs with other procedures, however, as this is already a combination procedure and one that can have some tricky requirements during recovery, such as not sitting too long.

You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you are a generally healthy non-smoker who is fairly close to their ideal body weight. You may still be a candidate even if you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, so long as your illness is well controlled. If you smoke, your surgeon will likely require you to quit before your surgery and abstain during the healing process. Cigarette smoke kills red blood cells and slows the healing process, considerably increasing the risk of complications.

It can take up to 6 months to fully recover from a tummy tuck, but most people are able to resume their normal lives and feel great in about 2 to 3 weeks. You should be able to return to work about 2 weeks after your procedure unless you have a physically demanding job. In that case, your doctor may have you wait a little longer. You can return to more vigorous activity and exercise at the 4 or 5 week mark.

Unfortunately, a tummy tuck won’t give you a six-pack. As mentioned above, a six-pack may be possible if you combine liposuction with your tummy tuck. Even this is no guarantee, however. Your desire for a six-pack is something you should absolutely discuss with your surgeon, and they may be able to help. The only guaranteed way to get a six-pack, however, is a lot of time and effort spent at the gym. If your plastic surgeon can’t help, a personal trainer is your next stop.