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Male Tummy Tuck Surgery in New York City

At our New York City practice, Dr. Matthew Schulman performs many cosmetic procedures designed specifically for men, such as the male tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty.

You likely are experiencing sagging of your abdominal skin if you had weight loss, or maybe just because of the normal aging process. Improving the skin is almost impossible through diet and exercise, so it is easy to get frustrated.  The good news is that there are cosmetic procedures, such as tummy tucks, that can remove any excess skin and tighten your abdominal muscles.

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Table of Contents

What Is Male Tummy Tuck Surgery?

The clinical name for a tummy tuck surgery is abdominoplasty. The goal of an abdominoplasty, whether in a man or a woman, is two-fold:

  • tighten the underlying abdominal muscles
  • remove excess skin and fat.

There are several variations of a tummy tuck, and each is designed for every individual man. Every man has a different amount of excess skin, excess fat, and loose abdominal muscles. The specific tummy tuck will address your specific issues. This means that some tummy tucks may include skin removal, muscle tightening, fat removal, or a combination of all.

Before and After Images

Male Tummy Tuck: Patient 1

This man successfully lost about 80 pounds through diet and exercise. He wanted the excess skin removed and underwent a tummy tuck. Notice the improved contour, tight abdomen, and hidden scar.

Male Tummy Tuck: Patient 2

This young man had excess skin on his abdomen after a 100 pound weight loss. This skin was removed with a tummy tuck, while maintaining a masculine shape. See the scar? Nope, didn’t think so!

Male Tummy Tuck: Patient 3

This angled view of our young patient who lost 100 pounds shows the great shape and contour of his abdomen. The skin was removed while keeping a masculine shape to his torso.

Male Tummy Tuck: Patient 1

This man successfully lost about 80 pounds through diet and exercise. He wanted the excess skin removed and underwent a tummy tuck. Notice the improved contour, tight abdomen, and hidden scar.

Male Tummy Tuck: Patient 2

This young man had excess skin on his abdomen after a 100 pound weight loss. This skin was removed with a tummy tuck, while maintaining a masculine shape. See the scar? Nope, didn’t think so!

Male Tummy Tuck: Patient 3

This angled view of our young patient who lost 100 pounds shows the great shape and contour of his abdomen. The skin was removed while keeping a masculine shape to his torso.

View More Images

Types of Male Tummy Tuck New York City Procedures

There are several different types of male tummy tuck surgeries to be aware of. Below, we’ve outlined the three main types to give you a better idea of what to expect as you approach your consultation with Dr. Schulman. However, oftentimes your tummy tuck may be a special combination of several of these techniques. Every tummy tuck is customized to what you specifically need, so your tummy tuck may not fit neatly into one of these types.

The Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck specifically addresses the extra skin that is below the belly button.  This is a good option for men with a relatively flat abdomen, but who complain of a lower “pooch” or “hang” of skin. Because less skin is being removed, the scar is shorter than in a traditional tummy tuck.  There is also no muscle tightening performed, making the pain and recovery less.  Usually, a mini tummy tuck is combined with liposuction to help shape the male torso.

If you have a small amount of excess skin in this area but a contour and shape that you are happy with in the upper portion of the abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be right for you. Of all the tummy tuck techniques, a mini tummy tuck requires the least amount of recovery and time away from work and activities. It also has the shortest scar.

The Full Tummy Tuck

The full tummy tuck is designed to remove a larger amount of skin and tighten the laxity of the underlying abdominal muscles.  This tummy tuck may be best for men who have had fluctuations in weight and complain of skin hang of their lower abdomen as well as excess skin above their belly button.  Unlike a mini tummy tuck, this full tummy tuck will help tighten the skin of the entire abdomen, not just the lower part. Doing this requires a longer incision, often hip-to-hip. The skin is then lifted, and stitches are placed in the abdominal muscles to tighten the muscles and flatten the belly and narrow the waistline. The skin is re-draped, and the excess skin is removed. The belly button is then brought through a new opening. If necessary, liposuction will be performed on any area where excess fat remains.

Because this full tummy tuck involves a longer incision and muscle repair, the recovery is longer than with the mini tummy tuck described above.

The Extended Tummy Tuck

Lastly, the extended tummy tuck is a technique in which the skin removal extends to the sides and even the lower back. This is best for men who have lost a large amount of weight because the excess loose skin is found all around the torso. The extended tummy tuck can help you get rid of large amounts of excess skin. The procedure involves larger incisions than the other types of tummy tucks because the length of the incision is directly related to the amount of skin removed. In some cases, the skin removal can even extend all the way around the lower back. If tightening of the abdominal muscles is needed, it will be performed, as well as liposuction to remove extra fat.

Even though the incision is longer, the recovery for this extended tummy tuck will be about the same as the recovery for a full tummy tuck. The extended tummy tuck is a great option for people who have successfully lost weight either through diet and exercise, or bariatric surgery.

Matthew Schulman, M.D.

Meet Dr. Schulman – Male Tummy Tuck New York City

“You have excess skin on your abdomen and I understand that it is frustrating. No matter how much you diet or exercise, the skin doesn’t go away. In fact, it probably has gotten worse. I can help remove the excess skin and excess fat with a tummy tuck.  My experience allows me to perform this procedure without feminizing your shape and will get you back to normal life as soon as possible.”

 
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The Male Tummy Tuck Process

The male tummy tuck is performed in our accredited and certified ambulatory surgery facility. It is done under general anesthesia, under the careful monitoring of our board certified anesthesiologist. The procedure can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the extent of your procedure. During your procedure, Dr. Schulman will remove the excess skin of your abdomen through a low incision.  If you have laxity of your underlying abdominal muscles, this will be tightened with carefully placed sutures.  Many men also have some excess fat as well as the excess skin, making liposuction an important part of your tummy tuck.  Dr. Schulman will place you in an elastic binder to help support your abdomen and control the swelling after your tummy tuck.

After your tummy tuck procedure, you will spend a few hours in our patient recovery room until you feel well enough to go home. You will need to have someone reliable to take you home after surgery and care for you during recovery.

Recovery after your Tummy Tuck

Your recovery will depend specifically on how much skin you needed to be removed and whether or not muscle repair and liposuction were part of your procedure. Because every procedure is different, you will need to follow the post-operative directions given to you by Dr. Schulman. This includes limiting exercise, lifting, and other physically exerting activities for a few weeks. You may need to take 2-3 weeks off of work but the specifics will depend on exactly what was done during your operation. Because the skin will be pulled tight, you will find yourself walking and standing “hunched over”. This is normal for the first week. 

While you will start to feel much better after a few weeks, most patients find that they are swollen and tired for several months. As with any plastic surgery procedure, it may take several months before you feel 100% back to normal.

Real Patient Testimonial

Real Patient Testimonial

I had no idea how to even start looking for a plastic surgeon so I asked my regular doctor for a referral. He recommended Dr. Schulman and said he had operated on his wife. If he was good enough for my doctor’s wife, that is a big endorsement. My surgery was 3 years ago and I thank my regular doctor for the referral every year when I see him.

Your Scar after your Tummy Tuck

The scar is carefully placed low on the abdomen so that it can be hidden beneath underwear and bathing suits. The length of the scar will depend on your body and how much excess skin you have removed. In most cases, the scar can be hip-to-hip, but in some men with massive weight loss, the scar can go past the hip and even all the way around. Dr. Schulman will be able to discuss this with you before your procedure and show you exactly where the scar will be and how long it will be. Dr. Schulman uses special techniques and special stitches to help you make a scar that is thin and well hidden. But everyone makes different scars and the quality of the scar is mostly dependent on your body and its healing ability. There are scar creams and lasers that can help your scar during the healing process.

Male Tummy Tuck versus Female Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck on a man and on a woman is intended to remove excess fat and skin, and tighten the underlying abdominal muscles. However, there are several differences that are related to the underlying reason for the tummy tuck, and physical differences between men and women.

  • Muscle repair: the vast majority of women who get a tummy tuck do require tightening of the abdominal muscles. This is because the abdominal muscles are commonly separated during pregnancy. Because men do not get pregnant, they do not have pregnancy-induced muscle separation. This means that a male tummy tuck often does not require muscle repair, and this leads to less pain and a faster recovery.
  • Scar placement: The tummy tuck scar is basically low, and extends from hip-to-hip. Modifications can be made in order to change the scar location. In women, it is common to create a scar that is low in the middle and curves upward as you approach the hips. This is to make it hide beneath women’s underwear or bikini bottoms. In men though, the scar is typically designed to be lower and straighter, to hide it better beneath classic male clothing.
  • Torso shape: Most women want their tummy tuck to give them a snatched waist that is as small as possible. This gives curves. Men want to maintain a masculine shape, which means that they should not have an overly narrow waist. A masculine shape is a straight line from the chest to the hips. This means that when performing a male tummy tuck, care should be taken to avoid narrowing the waist too much.

Why choose Dr. Schulman?

Dr. Schulman is a body contouring expert, having performed thousands of procedures. Yes, males represent a small percentage of all cosmetic surgery procedures, but that still means he has performed many male tummy tucks. Dr. Schulman understands how to modify what some may think of as traditionally female procedures to the male body.

Your male tummy tuck consultation

At your consultation appointment, you will meet one-on-one with Dr. Schulman who will give you a physical evaluation and talk with you about what you are looking for in the results of your procedure. Dr. Schulman will be able to assess your physique, overall health, and ultimate goals and recommend either one of the tummy tuck types listed above, or a combination of several. Dr. Schulman will also be able to show you the exact length and location of the scar. Because every tummy tuck is different, he will give you specific information about your recovery, restrictions and anticipated results.

Questions and answers about Male Tummy Tuck

If you have loose muscles in your abdomen, excess skin, and excess fat that is difficult to reduce with diet and exercise, you are likely an excellent candidate for male tummy tuck surgery in New York City. If your issue is less about skin, and more about stubborn excess fat, male liposuction may be a better procedure for you.  As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important to be in good physical and mental health and to have realistic expectations for the outcome of your surgery.

As with any cosmetic procedure focused on contours of the body, it is important that you understand tummy tucks are not the answer to losing weight. As such, you should do your best to lose excess weight and achieve an ideal weight before approaching surgery. A tummy tuck is really a skin and muscle operation. It is not appropriate for removing fat. This means that the best candidates are men who are not overweight and have excess skin from aging or weight loss.

Yes, you can combine procedures. In fact, this is a common practice, especially when you’re looking to improve several areas of your body. Many men find that if they want a tummy tuck, they might as well combine that with procedures such as liposuction or male breast reduction. If this is something you feel you may be interested in, be sure to discuss it with Dr. Schulman at your consultation appointment.

Most likely yes. It is common to place a tube in the abdomen during a tummy tuck. This tube drains excess fluid that normally builds up after surgery. It usually stays for 7 days and is removed easily and painless in the office at your post-operative visit. Our nurses will provide you and your escort instruction about how to care for this drain, but it is very easy and should not be a problem for you.

Yes. Dr. Schulman performs all his cosmetic procedures in his fully certified and accredited office surgery center. This means that you get the highest safety standards in the comfort of a private office. After a 1-2 hour stay in the recovery room, you will be discharged home with your escort. 

Your tummy tuck will be performed under general anesthesia. You will be monitored by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist throughout your procedure.

Generally, your tummy tuck will take 2-3 hours. Of course, the exact length of the procedure will depend on what type of tummy tuck you are having. A mini tummy tuck will take less time than an extended tummy tuck.

Smokers should quit smoking before getting a tummy tuck as smoking may lead to complications, including the death of tissue, possible infections, the formation of severe scars, and delayed healing.

Scars never disappear completely, but they do fade over time. Since everyone heals differently, it is impossible to promise a nearly invisible scar. However, the scar from a male tummy tuck is kept very low so it is 100% hidden beneath underwear or bathing suit. During your consultation, Dr. Schulman is able to draw a line on your body to show you exactly where the scar will be after surgery.

You will notice the reduced skin right away. However, bruising and swelling is common, and this can last several weeks. It takes time for your body to look as good as it is going to look after your tummy tuck. Most men are very happy within a few months, but will look even better a year later.

Insurance is designed to pay for procedures that are “medically necessary”.  This means that you would have to prove that your excess abdominal skin is causing you real medical problems.  Unfortunately, this is very difficult to show, since even though you may not like the excess skin, it is not a medical problem.  It is generally considered “cosmetic” in nature and not eligible for insurance coverage. However, there may be some situations where the excess skin is so severe that is really DOES cause medical problems for you. This may be the case if you lost a massive amount of weight. You should check with your insurance company for a list of eligibility requirements.

You definitely will need to rest during recovery and limit your physical activity. Most men will be cleared to begin light exercise 3-4 weeks after the tummy tuck. But they will need to ease into things and take their time.

Yes. You should be cleared for full activity, including sit-ups, around 8 weeks after your tummy tuck.

Yes. You will wear a compression garment after your surgery for about 8 weeks. This will help support your abdomen while you heal and will help to control the swelling. Most people actually feel better when they are wearing the garment, similar to how you feel better when you ace-wrap an injury.

Schedule a Consultation

If you choose to invest in your self-confidence and physique by getting a male tummy tuck procedure in New York City, know that Dr. Schulman is one of the top abdominoplasty surgeons on the East Coast. Give our NYC practice a call at 212-289-1851 or click here to schedule your initial consultation.

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