One of the most common cosmetic surgeries for men is a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is a procedure that removes excess fat, skin and tissue from the lower part of your abdomen to create a flatter, smoother appearance.
The scars left by this surgery are typically located on the pubic area (around your penis), above and below the belly button, and in the lower part of your belly. The scars may be quite visible during the first few months after surgery. But as they heal and fade with time, they become less noticeable.
Scars can be easily hidden under clothing or by wearing a belt. But if you’re concerned about them being visible when you wear swimsuits or other revealing outfits, consider having laser resurfacing done at the same time as your tummy tuck surgery. This will help reduce scarring on your torso after your operation.
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No matter who you are or what your body looks like, if you are dealing with excess skin on the body, you can greatly benefit from a tummy tuck. As one of the most popular and successful cosmetic surgery practices at the office of Dr. Cain Linville, we know how important tummy tucks are to patients of all genders. Let’s look at how a male tummy tuck is different.
How is a Male Tummy Tuck Different?
Each patient will visit with Dr. Linville for a one-on-one consultation to tailor a customized treatment plan especially for them. A lot of our patients who come to us for top-tier plastic surgery in Houston ask common questions such as, “How is a male tummy tuck different from a female tummy tuck?” and “What can I expect during the surgery and recovery process?”. If you are like many of our clients, you have these same questions as well. Keep reading below to find the answers!
Tummy Tucks, Explained
A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery that removes extra skin and fat around the abdominal area. This surgery is also known as an abdominoplasty, which works to strengthen your stomach muscles and create a better definition in the stomach. Anyone looking to improve the look of their body profile may be interested in this innovative procedure.
Who Qualifies for a Tummy Tuck?
People of all body types and genders can qualify for a tummy tuck as long as they are dealing with the following:
- Excess fat in the stomach
- Loose and droopy skin on the tummy
- A general unhappiness with the way their stomach looks
Tummy tucks are a viable solution regardless of the reason for excess skin or fat. Whether because of extreme weight gain, loss of skin elasticity after pregnancy, previous surgical problems, or sagging skin due to aging, your body may qualify for a tummy tuck today. Most of the time, this procedure just goes by the name “tummy tuck,” but some patients inquire about male and female tummy tucks.
What Makes a Male Tummy Tuck Different?
For the most part, there is almost no difference between male and female tummy tucks. All in all, it comes down to personal preference. Some people have different reasons for wanting a tummy tuck which can determine the end result of the surgery. In a majority of cases, tummy tucks are pursued because the patient is looking to remove excess skin and fat.
The differences between the types of tummy tucks occur in the finer details. For example, the incision shape used by the surgeon may be different depending on the shape of the patient’s body. Many men prefer a flat incision and scars that look like straight lines rather than curved ones. Another example includes the belly button. Some people want a relaxed and curvy belly button, while others want a smaller and more vertical shape.
Biggest Benefits of Tummy Tucks
Regardless of your background, your body shape, or your reasons for wanting to remove some excess skin from your abdomen, you will certainly enjoy the additional benefits that this effective surgery brings to the table. Our patients love that tummy tucks can help to:
- Reduce middle and lower back pain
- Correct some spinal hernias
- Encourage healthy weight loss
- Improve exercise routines
- Increase mobility and comfortability while moving
- Greatly boost self-confidence and self-image
You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure if you are interested in enjoying any of these benefits for yourself.
Male Tummy Tuck Cost
The SixSurgery team offers both the traditional tummy tuck and the extended tummy tuck, but what sets us apart from other clinics is our drain-free technique. This is a new and improved surgical technique that does not require a drain during the recovery period. We also take special care to position our incisions very low on the abdomen so that they are well hidden within the bikini line, and patients come to our clinic after appreciating this detail in our results. Contrary to popular belief, Tummy Tucks are not just for Mommy Makeovers but for anyone with loose abdominal skin.
How much does Male Tummy Tuck cost?
Tummy tuck (drain free or with drain)
$ 7300 (mini) or $ 10 300+
(additional liposuction: $ 1500 – $ 6000 per additional area to be liposuctioned)
Tummy tuck (extended or vertical)
$ 13 -00 +
Additional liposuction
$1500-$4500+ per additional area to be liposuctioned –
(please note liposuction fees differ greatly depending on the area and and expected volume of liposuction)
Common Additions
J-Plasma
$ 2500 + (when added to liposuction or BBL)
VASER
$ 2500 + (when added to liposuction or BBL)
Ab etching/VASER Hi Def
$ 4500 + (when added to liposuction or BBL) (already includes VASER fee) PLEASE NOTE BMI Requirement must be UNDER 25
Recovery Process
Following an abdominoplasty bruising and swelling is to be expected, which will diminish over a period of one to two weeks. Because patients retain some water following the procedure, there will be some temporary weight gain. This is normal, and will dissipate quickly.
Recovery from tummy tuck surgery requires rest and taking it easy. The first two days following the surgery are usually the most uncomfortable. After the first two days you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in how you feel. Because of the innovative surgical techniques by SixSurgery, your discomfort will be easily controlled with prescription medication only.
During your recovery you should avoid strenuous physical activity; this is especially important if your abdominal muscles have been repaired from diastasis recti. You may need to limit your physical activity from four to six weeks.
After your tummy tuck procedure, you will have a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is proportionate with your individual body type and weight. The actual results will be hidden due to swelling at first, but you will begin to see your new slimmer profile within one to two weeks after surgery. Depending on the surgery, it may take anywhere from several weeks or months to see the final results.
During recovery it is critical that you refrain from smoking. Smoking deprives your body of oxygen, which increases the risk of wound breakdown and infection following the surgery.
The goal of a tummy tuck is to provide you with a tighter, smoother and more toned abdomen.
Tummy Tuck Scarring
A full tummy tuck involves a scar that typically runs from hip to hip. We make every effort to keep the scar as low as possible so that when you wear your pants or a bikini, the scar is hidden. There is also a scar around the belly button. A mini tummy tuck does not have a belly button scar.
These scars take several months to fade, and a year to fully mature.
Can the scar be shorter? The tummy tuck scar length varies in length from patient to patient. The length is determined by your existing fold and how much loose skin you have. If you look in a mirror and see the fold where your skin folds over, this can help estimate the extent of your scar. Trying to cheat and make the incision shorter results in unnatural looking folds/lumps on at the sides of the incision and insufficient removal of loose skin. If you are unsure about how long your scar would be, you can always send us your picture for an assessment.
Related Procedure
A Panniculectomy
While the tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is designed to create an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer, an alternative procedure is a panniculectomy. This is NOT a tummy tuck, this is an ‘amputation’ of the loose skin in patients who have lost >100lb and have medical problems due to the excessive skin. This is NOT a cosmetic procedure and the goal of surgery is not to improve appearance. This procedure can be performed alone or in combination with a tummy tuck, and is done to remove the skin hanging on the abdomen, called the “pannus” or apron. It runs from below the belly button, and is usually a result of losing significant amounts of weight – approximately 100 pounds or more. It is often done at the same time as the tummy tuck.
While the tummy tuck tightens the underlying stomach muscles, the panniculectomy only removes the excess skin and fat required for medical reasons.
After losing a significant amount of weight, excessive loose skin may lead to a variety of medical concerns. These include:
- Difficulty performing daily hygiene
- Yeast infections or cysts in the folds of the skin
- Lower back pain
- Inability to comfortably wear clothing
- Rashes above the pubic area along the groin and hips
Patients requiring panniculectomy have overcome obesity and have recently lost a significant amount of weight. They also may have post-pregnancy problems with excessive fat that is situated below the belly button. Depending on the amount of excess skin you have and the condition of your abdomen, your surgeon will determine the best procedure or procedures to meet your specific needs.
Patients are considered candidates for panniculectomy if they have:
- Excessive fat that presents health problems like repetitive infections, skin rashes, ulcers or other skin disorders
- Weight that’s been stabilized for at least one year
- An ongoing diet and exercise plan
- An approval from OHIP is required prior to considering this surgery
Tummy Tuck Risks and Complications
Avoid any vigorous exercise, heavy lift, or gym for 6 weeks after the surgery. Failure to do so will lead to loss of muscle repair, and abdominal bulging (throughout the entire abdomen, around the belly button, or in the upper or lower abdominal area), Although complications following Abdominoplasty are infrequent; the following may occur:
- BleedingBleeding, which in rare instances could require hospitalization and blood transfusion. Blood clots may form under the skin and require drainage.
- Skin irregularitiesSkin irregularities, lumpiness, hardness and dimpling may result; some problems disappear with time and from massage, other problems may persist and additional treatments may be necessary
- InfectionInfection is rare but may occur and treatment with antibiotics and/or drainage may be required. In rare instances surgery may be required for severe infection (such as necrotizing fasciitis.)
- Wound dehiscenceWound dehiscence (wound opening) may occur and is generally allowed to heal on its own. This may be related to loss of blood supply to the skin (skin necrosis).
- Outpatient nursingOutpatient nursing may be required to assist with the wound care. You may be required to travel to a local clinic for daily wound care.
- HerniaHernia may be found during the surgery and may require surgical repair, which may be associated with potential injury to the bowel.
- NumbnessNumbness of the skin over treated areas is common and can persist for months. In rare cases it may be permanent.
- Abnormal scarringAbnormal scarring or scar position is rare but is possible.
- DizzinessDizziness may occur during the first week following Abdominoplasty surgery particularly upon rising from a lying or sitting position. If this occurs, extreme caution may be exercised while walking. Do not drive a car if dizziness is present.
- Deep Venous Thrombosis,Deep Venous Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism and Fat Embolism may occur.
- Abdominal perforationAbdominal perforation may also occur in rare instances.
The risk of these specific complications is increased in patients with increased BMI and previous abdominal surgeries. If left untreated these complications may be fatal.
Male Tummy Tuck FAQ
How should I prepare for my tummy tuck?
There isn’t much preparation for the procedure. Patients should, however, stop smoking 2 weeks before surgery in order to ensure a full and uncomplicated recovery. If you are planning on losing weight, you should do it prior to the surgery, not after. Patients should be at their goal weight in order to have the least amount of intra-abdominal fat possible.
What happens in the operating room?
You will be placed under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make an incision along your pubic hairline, and then will remove excess skin and fat. The remaining skin is pulled tight in order to create a firm abdomen, and then sutured together. Some liposuction may be performed initially to help sculpt the abdomen. Some patients choose to add additional liposuction (such as flanks) to their tummy tucks. The procedure will take about 1-3 hours to complete.
What is the recovery process for a tummy tuck?
Thanks in part to SixSurgery’s drain-free technique, the recovery for a tummy tuck is usually quick and uncomplicated. For a traditional tummy tuck that involves drains, you will be able to return to work in about 10 days (though this will depend on the amount of physical activity required). With a drain-free tummy tuck, you should return to work much sooner. You will be swollen and bruised, and should avoid any vigorous physical activity or lifting for about 6 weeks.
Am I a candidate for a mini tummy tuck?
The decision to have a mini tummy tuck depends on the amount of excess tissue and skin that has to be removed, and where it is located on the abdomen. If you only need to have excess tissue in the lower abdomen removed, then a mini tummy tuck may produce the results you are looking for, our consult team will determine the best procedure for your specific case.
Would liposuction or a tummy tuck be better me?
Liposuction is a good way to remove excess fat in the abdominal area, but it can’t create abdominal tightness, nor remove excess, sagging skin. Some patients hope to be a candidate for only liposuction, however, liposuction will not replace a tummy tuck and the results are never as good as a proper tummy tuck. You can discuss your specific case during your consultation with our team.
Will there be scarring?
Yes, there will be a scar, roughly from him to hip, on the pubic hairline, which is usually hidden by swimwear or underwear.
Are there complications associated with male tummy tucks?
As with all cosmetic surgery, there are some risks involved. Risks associated with tummy tucks include excessive bleeding, infection, swelling, scar irregularities and blood clots, but they are rare. Our operating suite is state-of-the-art, and we do everything we can to minimize the risks associated with surgery. Most importantly, our team has various protocols in place to prevent complications from occurring.