Tummy tucks for men – the FAQ

So why would men need abdominoplasty – otherwise known as a tummy tuck? It’s down to simple human biology. While female weight gain is distributed chiefly through the thighs, hips and buttocks, male weight gain is chiefly concentrated in the stomach area – in other words, the ‘beer gut’.

There are a lot of disadvantages to this – the increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, strokes and all the other obesity-related illnesses, for starters. So a lot of men do the sensible thing, step up on the exercise, cut down on fatty food and alcohol, and get down to a healthy weight.

The problem is that over time, the skin loses its elasticity – and rather like a balloon that’s been left to naturally deflate, it loses its ability to snap back into shape. What’s left is a band of sagging skin that not only looks as unsightly as the original beer gut, it can also create discomfort when wearing tight clothes.

An abdominoplasty procedure is the solution to your new and unwanted look. It was originally developed for women who have undergone childbirth, but it works even better for men who have carried a ‘beer baby’ for too long.

What does abdominoplasty involve?

The procedure is relatively simple, although intensive, taking two to three hours to perform under general anaesthesia. The procedure begins with the injection of fluid under the abdominal skin in order to reduce bleeding, followed by – if necessary – a treatment of liposuction to reduce the layer of remaining fat.

After making an incision from hip to hip, the skin is pulled down, and the excess is removed. In certain cases, the surgeon will work under the skin to tighten and reposition the stomach muscles. Finally, temporary drains are fitted to remove excess blood and fluid, and the skin is sutured.

What happens after the surgery?

You will be expected to undergo a two-day period of bed rest, during which time the drains will be removed. By the seven-day period, you should have had your sutures removed. You will be able to return to full activity after four to six weeks.

You will be required to leave the surgery with dressings and a pressure garment around the treated area, and have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the following 24 hours. Common side effects include a feeling of tightness around the waist area, pain and bruises (which can be fended off with painkillers), a temporary fluid-filled swelling about the scar, and the possibility of a feeling of numbness around the treated area.

As you can see, abdominoplasty is not a ‘quick fix’ for someone who wants to lose weight fast: it’s performed under the assumption that the client has done their level best to lose weight, and they require a finishing touch to restore the original look and shape. Recent figures demonstrate that more and more men are turning to abdominoplasty than ever before, so if you need a little help after you’ve done the hard work of losing your beer gut, maybe you should talk to us.