What is the different between Male Tummy tuck and female tummy tuck?

Question

I'm a 24 year old male (5 feet 10 inches tall and 165 lbs). I've recently lost roughly 90 lbs and I'm interested in tummy tuck surgery. I'd like to know what is the different between male tummy tuck and female tummy tuck? I looked at MANY before/after photos of people who had tummy tuck and saw that female had better results after tummy tuck. Why is that? I want a very tight/flat belly. I believe my abdomen muscle is VERY LOSE and it looks like I have a basketball inside. I want flat belly!

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss!  As you know most patients who have lost that amount of weight have significant skin laxity and may have muscle laxity, as men tend to loose "visceral fat."  Weight loss tummy tucks should be able to address muscle laxity, residual fat deposits, and loose skin.  The differences between male and female procedures are important.  I try to make the incision more flat as I find the curved suprapubic incision can look feminine.  In addition it is important to be conservative with waist / flank contouring to avoid too narrow of a waistline.  Finally, the shape of the umbilicus needs to be considered, as a small, vertical, hooded umbilical does not look masculine.  Best of luck as you consider your options.

Matthew D. Freeman, MD · Answer

There are some important characteristics that are different between men and women that can significantly impact the result. However, your specific characteristics may be even more important. If your abdomen looks like a "basketball," it could be due to a number of reasons that a plastic surgeon would better explain during a physical examination. The main limiting factor that it could result from is an excess of intra-abdominal (visceral) fat, which is fat that surrounds the internal structures of the abdomen, like the intestines, stomach, etc. If it is simply fascial laxity or looseness of the architecture of the abdomen, this is frequently corrected with rectus fascia plication, which will support the abdomen.
One of the major limitations that men have when compared to women's tummy tucks is that men have a much narrower pelvis. This frequently leads to difficulty in achieving a natural transition site from the abdomen to the pelvis. In women, wider hips and pelvic structures allow that transition to be hidden more appropriately. Sometimes, a long vertical incision from the breast bone to the pubic area (fleur-de-lis tummy tuck) can be helpful because it can narrow the abdomen to prevent significant step-off deformity between the abdomen and pelvis with the tradeoff of having a very large and difficult-to-hide-scar. In a traditional tummy tuck or even a lower body lift, there is no reduction in the side-to-side width of the abdominal skin-- only up-and-down, thus it can be difficult to achieve the tighter diameter that the pelvis has in men. I hope this helps.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about the differences between a male and female tummy tuck. While the core techniques are similar, there are key distinctions based on gender-specific anatomy and goals.

Men often have more visceral fat, which is the fat stored deeper inside the abdomen, behind the muscles. This type of fat cannot be removed through surgery. Therefore, if you have significant visceral fat, achieving the flat, tight belly you're aiming for may be more challenging. In such cases, it's essential to focus on weight loss to reduce visceral fat before surgery. On the other hand, women typically have more subcutaneous fat, which is located beneath the skin and can be addressed during a tummy tuck.

Additionally, male tummy tucks are designed to create a more squared, flat, and firm appearance, while female tummy tucks may focus more on creating a cinched, hourglass figure. If you're looking for a very tight and flat abdomen, repairing the abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) and removing loose skin through a tummy tuck will help achieve that goal.

If visceral fat is a concern, weight loss medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide have shown amazing results in helping patients shed excess weight, making the abdominal area more responsive to surgery. I encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about these options if needed.

I hope this clarifies your concerns and guides you toward achieving the results you want.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. While I understand the different "before and after" results you have seen, it is basically the same option of tummy tuck procedures available to both women and men. They exist as follows:Mini-abdominoplasty tightens the lower abdominal wall and skin below the umbilicus, belly button, only (shortest scar).

Modified abdominoplasty addresses conditions where just the muscle wall or just the abdominal skin requires repair.

Standard abdominoplasty tightens all of the abdominal wall skin and muscles above and below the belly button. The scar can be altered or lowered to be hidden by most panty lines and bathing suits. (Standard scar).

Extended abdominoplasty tightens the abdomen and the flanks or sides (longest scar extending around the flanks onto lower back.)Now, it relates more to the appropriate procedure in relation to your situation rather then whether you are male or female. There are always post-op healing complications and difficulties, while swelling can be an issue for several months after surgery including swelling in the pubic area above the penis. So, it will take some time to wait for the full results to appear. Good luck.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The difference is the anatomy that you start with not the technique or the skills that are used to to create the results.

Thomas A. Pane, MD · Answer

Great question.  The flatness you ultimately achieve will depend on how much fat is inside the abdomen, around the organs.  There is not a lot we can do for this except manage it with diet and exercise.  Surgery can flatten the abdominal wall but if there is too much visceral fat, it may not be completely flat.  However, the overall appearance will be better.  Men who have mainly loose skin and not much visceral fat will see very nice results when under the care of an experienced surgeon.  There are a few fine-point differences when doing the procedure on a man, but the overall operation is very similar.

What is the different between Male Tummy tuck and female tummy tuck?

Answers (12)

Answer: Different Tummy Tuck Procedures

Answer: Different Tummy Tuck Procedures

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Male vs. Female Tummy Tuck

Answer: Male vs. Female Tummy Tuck

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Male Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What is the different between Male Tummy tuck and female tummy tuck?

Answers (12)

Answer: Different Tummy Tuck Procedures

Answer: Different Tummy Tuck Procedures

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Male vs. Female Tummy Tuck

Answer: Male vs. Female Tummy Tuck

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Male Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.