Is a Tummy Tuck Medically Beneficial for Men?

A tummy tuck - also known by the medical term abdominoplasty—is a procedure which tightens the stomach muscles, removing any loose skin or fat from the abdomen, making it appear flat and toned. Historically, tummy tucks are often undergone by women who want to restore their body to pre-pregnancy shape.

Patients who have lost extreme amounts of weight in a relatively short period of time may also be good candidates for a tummy tuck. Recently, however, more and more men are undergoing abdominoplasty. In fact, in 2013, about 4 percent of the total number of tummy tucks were performed on men.

This figure is up 97 percent from 2003 to 2013. When taking all cosmetic procedures into account, men account for about 9 percent of the total.

Medically Necessary Abdominoplasty Surgeries

The total number of abdominoplasty surgeries rose 87 percent between 2000 and 2014, and while the majority of these procedures are for cosmetic reasons, there are certain medical benefits which can be gained from the procedure.

These include:

• In some cases, a panniculectomy can be considered medically necessary in order to address an overhang of skin and fat, hanging over the pubic area. This type of surgical procedure does not tighten the abdominal muscles nor does it remove excess fat or loose skin from the upper abdominal area. While a tummy tuck is rarely covered by insurance, a panniculectomy can be covered if the patient has a history of rashes under the skin overhang which have been unresponsive to prescription medications or a history of lower back pain resulting from the skin overhang.
• Weak abdominal muscles in a man can cause sway back, therefore serious back pain. An abdominoplasty can improve abdominal tone, leading to better posture, thus relieving the back pain.
• When the intestine or abdominal tissues break through the abdominal wall, forming a pocket, a ventral hernia has occurred. Ventral hernias can be caused by extreme weight loss, abdominal weakness or an appendectomy. Repairing a ventral hernia correction is very similar to the procedure for a tummy tuck. Both surgical procedures correct weak abdominal muscles, therefore pressure on the skin.
  
  

While anyone may choose to have a tummy tuck or similar surgical procedure performed because it is medically necessary, many men choose a tummy tuck for the same reasons women do—they want to feel younger and more vibrant. The procedure is often performed due to the aging process or because of weight fluctuations through the years.

Tummy Tucks Have the Same Risk as Any Surgical Procedure

Despite diet and exercise, these men may have been unable to lose their belly fat. It is important for those who choose to have a tummy tuck to realize the procedure is considered a major operation, requiring anywhere from one to five hours under general anesthesia on an operating table.

Any surgery which requires this amount of time on the operating table subjects the patient to potential infection, nerve damage and excessive blood loss. Most tummy tucks remove as much as ten pounds of stomach fat as the skin is disconnected from the underlying tissue, then sutured, and the extra skin is cut away. Full recovery can take weeks, and there is always a risk of complications.

When male patients make the decision to undergo abdominoplasty, they must consider the recovery process. This means putting physical activities and other plans on hold until full healing from the surgery has occurred.

Time away from work is necessary, and any necessary errands, chores or projects should be taken care of prior to the surgery. It is important that the patient be in good physical health, and those who are smokers should stop smoking at least two weeks prior to the surgery.

Contact Pasadena Plastic Surgery Specialists

If you are interested in learning more about a tummy tuck, give us a call immediately. There is a reason why so many Pasadena men and women continue to choose Dr. Kevin Ruhge to perform their tummy tuck procedures and plastic surgeries. His personalized approach to plastic surgery means that his clients can contact him 24/7 after a surgical procedure.

If you would like to learn more about tummy tucks , brow lifts, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, or any plastic surgery procedure, we invite you to meet with Dr. Ruhge for a private consultation at our office in Pasadena by calling 626.397.9095, or by scheduling an appointment online.