Because tummy tuck surgery is often discussed in the context of women trying to 
improve their figure after pregnancy, many potential patients remain unaware of the surgery and how it may benefit them. Men are often part of that group and therefore, often hesitate to speak with doctors about this procedure.
One patient who documented his tummy tuck experience online said he perceived a “stigma or shame associated with male tummy tucks,” saying he was “initially embarrassed” when he first made inquiries about the operation.
A good plastic surgeon will be able to give you specific advice about abdominoplasty on a male patient. One man on RealSelf asks about skin laxity on his abdomen due to weight loss:
I’m dealing with loose skin after a 50 lbs weight loss in my teens. I’ve totally transformed and I’m very athletic with well-defined abs, but have laxity mostly below the navel and around the lower back. The problem areas are very localized and I hide it under the belt line with no one suspecting I was obese. But I feel “unfinished.” The front skin is very thin and hangs, the back is mostly smooth. Is there a tummy tuck technique that would excise the abdominal skin and provide modest tightening in the lower back?
Dr. Chris Hess, a Fairfax plastic surgeon, answers: “Even though we tend to have better skin tone than women, we can still end up with excess skin due to skin memory. It sounds like you could undergo a mild excision of the excess tissue — less than a mini tummy tuck.”
Some cases are more severe. When a man has experienced a greater weight reduction, the full tummy tuck may be recommended. Dr. Cuzalina of Tulsa Surgical Arts writes “Do not hesitate to use a full abdominoplasty for a male patient with extreme skin laxity. Men tend to heal better than women after abdominoplasty.”
A comprehensive approach such as this may be necessary to provide satisfactory results. Dr. Alan Matarasso, scientific editor of Aesthetic Surgery Journal tells Modernmedicine.com “you really need to treat [men] circumferentially, all the way around, because if you ask most men what bothers them, it’s the ‘love handles,’ and that goes all the way around to the back.”
Clearly, many plastic and cosmetic surgeons can offer specific advice for men considering abdominoplasty. So if you think you might benefit from the procedure, ignore any perceived “stigma” and ask a qualified surgeon for more details.
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