Although tummy tuck procedures were once thought of as only for women, a growing number of men are receiving them as well, causing their popularity to grow. Anyone can feel self-conscious about excess abdominal skin and fat that is resistant to diet and regular exercise, regardless of their gender.
Wonder why you have such stubborn abdomen fat? It likely has to do with weight or genetics. All these factors can affect laxity in the skin or changes in the muscle of the abdominal wall. When diet and exercise alone are not working, call our office and schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Matthew H. Steele, MD, to discuss a male tummy tuck in Parker County.
A tummy tuck procedure, also called an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and may help tighten muscles. Men in Parker County often seek tummy tuck procedures to have a firmer and flatter stomach.
It is important to note that this surgery is not a weight loss surgery. You should have achieved your desired weight before considering a tummy tuck since weight loss or weight gain after the surgery can change the results.
A tummy tuck is generally considered when exercise and diet have not eliminated excess skin and fat or tightened muscle. The procedure is done under general anesthesia.
The incision line is made horizontally above the pubic hairline. The length and shape of the incision depend on the extent of excess skin. Dr. Steele will often combine liposuction of the waist/love handles to optimize contour. In addition to skin and fat removal, some patients will require repair of widened abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) to achieve a flat abdomen.
The male anatomy is different from the female anatomy, and there are physiological differences in skin due to hormonal influences. Therefore, men and women require different procedures to accommodate these differences. The technique chosen will be based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more toned look.
Often, men will choose to remove abdominal fat in a pattern that enhances a six-pack, which is different from women who prefer a flat stomach. Dr. Steele makes a straight incision for a male tummy tuck rather than the curved cut along the bikini line for a woman.
Men with loose skin but good muscle tone may choose a skin-only abdominoplasty, which only removes excess skin. Meanwhile, other men may choose to have liposuction that removes fat around their waist and love handles, just above the hip. This offers a more dramatic enhancement. Dr. Steele, who sees patients from Parker County, can do both types of tummy tucks.
Men who are good candidates for a tummy tuck procedure in Parker County are in good health with excess fat or skin in the abdominal area. Underlying medical conditions such as diabetes should be well controlled, as these can increase the risk of infection or healing issues.
You should be close to your goal weight prior to surgery and maintain this weight after surgery as recurrent weight gain will negatively affect your results. You will talk with Dr. Steele about what can reasonably be expected from the surgery.
Finally, the ideal candidate does not smoke. Or you are willing to quit smoking and using all nicotine for six weeks before and after surgery. This includes all nicotine delivery devices, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, vaping, nicotine patches, and nicotine gum. Nicotine increases the risk of complications during the procedure, reduces blood supply to the area after surgery, and increases the risk of infection and tissue death.
Your tummy tuck will require general anesthesia and is performed on an outpatient basis. You will need someone to drive you home, and you will need a trusted friend or family member to stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours.
After surgery, you will receive detailed instructions on how to care for yourself and your incision. During surgery, Dr. Steele will insert small drains to remove excess fluid that builds up underneath the incision line. This helps reduce the risk of infection and fluid collection (seroma). Dr. Steele will review how to take care of those drains before you are discharged and then take the drains out during your follow-up appointments.
When you go home, you are encouraged to rest and avoid strenuous activity for the first several weeks. Dr. Steele will let you know how much you should be walking to keep the blood flowing and improve healing.
If you diet and exercise but still struggle with excess skin and fat in your abdominal area, we encourage you to call us today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Steele. You will learn more about getting a male tummy tuck in Parker County and whether this procedure can help address your needs.
