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Think getting a flat stomach is only an issue for women today? Think again. Many men desire a sleek, toned torso just as much as women and the plastic surgery numbers prove it. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of male tummy tucks increased by a stunning 146 percent from the year 2000 to 2007.
Cosmetic surgeons have tailored the traditional abdominoplasty surgery to fit the growing needs of their male patients today. The male tummy tuck focuses specifically on reducing the common masculine complaints of love handles, pot bellies, and spare tires, creating a nicely contoured look that would have been very difficult or even impossible to achieve with diet and exercise alone.
Prime Male Abdominoplasty Candidates
A tummy tuck in general is meant for anyone who is in generally good physical condition and fairly close to his ideal weight. It is especially helpful in recreating a natural, fit looking stomach for those men who have undergone massive weight loss. This process shrinks the fat cells but the skin's elasticity is often greatly reduced after years of being stretched to its maximum.
The result is loose, sagging skin that hides the effects of the weight loss. A male abdominoplasty can get rid of this extra skin and tighten up the stomach muscles at the same time. This procedure is also well suited for those who have seen their bodies change shape simply due to age.
As the male body ages, fat gets redistributed in the abs region, creating or adding to the problem areas like love handles. And although a tummy tuck can be helpful to many people, one of the essential requirements for being a good candidate for the procedure is to have a realistic outlook about the results.
Patients will see a dramatic improvement in the contours of their stomachs, but a tummy tuck is not a magic miracle-worker and patients will be most satisfied if they clearly understand the benefits and limitations of the procedure.
How Does It Work?
There are several versions of the male abdominoplasty. The traditional method involves an incision from hip to hip along the pubic bone, as well as one around the navel. The stomach skin is lifted off the tissues and the plastic surgeon reshapes and tightens the muscles.
Liposuction can also be performed at this point if desired. The abdominal skin is then pulled down tight, the excess is removed, the navel is repositioned for a natural look and the skin is sewn back together at the original incision.
The same basic procedure is followed for a mini male tummy tuck but the navel does not need to be repositioned, the incision scars are smaller and less skin is removed. This is ideal for patients who are within 10 to 15 percent of their ideal weight. Another benefit is that it lasts only one or two hours compared with the two to five required for the full tummy tuck.
The extended male abdominoplasty brings the incisions up past the hips and around the stomach sides in order to deal with love handles. A male tummy tuck can be an effective way to get rid of unsightly patches of abdominal fat and sagging skin. The benefits are long lasting and very satisfying.