Male tummy tuck surgery is unique as it involves modifications of the traditional tummy tucks performed on females. Whereas females often seek tummy tucks following childbirth, they trend towards requiring a tightening of their stretched out muscles. In contrast, men typically do not experience muscle diastasis since they do not experience a major increase in intra-abdominal volume such as observed during pregnancy. A minority who have had extreme weight gain may need muscle tightening. The muscle tightening though is also performed quite differently than in females. For example, in females the muscle tightening is differentially accomplished with the muscles above the belly button tightened more aggressively than below the belly button. This is done to create a more feminine curved contour line with the upper belly concave and the lower belly slightly convex. In contrast, in men, a more straight-line appearance is desired such that the upper belly is tightened the same amount as the lower abdomen. As such the tightening of the upper abdomen is performed at the same gauge as the lower abdomen to avoid convexity of the lower abdomen. In summary, we must remember that most men do not require muscle plication at all!

Incision line placement is critical in men as they typically do not want to have others know that they have had cosmetic work done. As such the incision lines must be limited in length and low on the abdomen. This is so that the incisions can be hidden in their underwear, swimming trunks, and shorts as men often like to go shirtless. In addition, the incision lines should be made as straight lines instead of smiley lines seen females. The low incision line also helps with pubic fullness that is often a concern of men. Finally, a limited incision prohibits wrapping incision lines around the flanks thus requiring a minimally invasive technique for skin tightening such as Renuvion.

Finally, men desire a quick recovery and muscle highlights. Since most men do not require muscle repair or plication, they avoid major pain related to tummy tuck surgery. Furthermore, avoidance of muscle plication limits undermining and allows for abdominal etching to provide them muscle highlights. Using our modified high definition tummy tuck protocol, male patients can now undergo a male tummy tuck that achieves their goals of a quick recovery and muscle highlights. Other modifications to the traditional tummy tuck involve being less aggressive with skin resection thus minimizing tension on the incision line that will ensure a well-healed surgical incision line and make recovery less painful.

In summary, male tummy tuck surgery is unique to the traditional tummy tuck surgery designed for females. It has alternative goals and modified procedures to achieve these milestones.

Male tummy tuck surgery requires the creation of a masculinized male abdomen that is depicted by the elimination of both excess fat and skin redundancy and the creation of a square contour with abdominal highlights.