Your Guide to Liposuction for Men

In 2024, in terms of plastic surgery, liposuction was the most popular procedure for women. But don’t let this statistic fool you; liposuction isn’t just something for ‘the girls’. Plenty of men have this surgery, and in fact, it was also one of the top procedures done for men in 2024.

The fact is that both sexes want to shed excess weight and sculpt their bodies to perfection. And liposuction is one of the many effective ways to do so.

So what should you know about liposuction for men? What are the key differences when you compare the procedure for men and women? Keep reading to learn more about male liposuction.

Can Met Get Liposuction?

Men can clearly get liposuction, as it’s not a gender-specific procedure. As you can see in the introduction, it’s one of the top plastic surgeries that men get, so it’s not uncommon to see men undergoing liposuction.

This surgery removes excess fat deposits through small incisions by using a thin tube (a cannula). The targeted fat is resistant to diet and exercise, so it’s the stubborn bit of fat left even after following rigorous health routines.

For men, the focus is typically on enhancing muscle definition and a more chiseled look, resulting in a leaner appearance and proportionate body lines, rather than soft curves (like with women). Men tend to have denser and more fibrous fat than women, particularly in the abdomen, flanks, and chest. In addition, male skin is generally thicker and has more collagen, so it’s a bit easier to achieve defined and sharp contours once the excess fat is removed.

Popular liposuction techniques for men include:

• Traditional tumescent liposuction: Uses fluid injection for fat loosening before suction
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL): Uses sound waves to break down fibrous fat
• Laser-assisted liposuction (SmartLipo): Helps with skin tightening
• Power-assisted liposuction (PAL): Uses a vibrating cannula for more efficient fat removal in dense areas

Common Areas for Male Liposuction

Technically speaking, liposuction can be used to remove fat from any part of the body that has excess fat. However, there are some areas that are more commonly addressed, especially in male patients.

Chest

Some men have gynecomastia, which is enlarged breast tissue in males. Liposuction can be part of gynecomastia surgery if fat is the main issue. Otherwise, it’s often combined with gland removal if the condition is glandular rather than fatty.

If it’s a fat issue, then liposuction can remove the excess fat, resulting in a flatter and squarer chest.

Flanks

The flanks (or love handles) are one of the most requested areas in men’s liposuction. This is because hormonal fat storage patterns make it incredibly difficult to lose fat in this area; in fact, even athletic men struggle with this area.

By removing the fat here, it creates a tapered waistline and enhances the V-shape of the torso. It achieves an amazing sculpted look.

Abdomen/Stomach

The goal of male stomach liposuction is to remove belly fat that hides the abs. The focus is often on the lower abdominal fat, which can be stubborn for many men.

This liposuction procedure is sometimes paired with abdominal etching so that the six-pack lines are even more noticeable.

Neck and Chin

Liposuction in this area can eliminate the double chin and restore a strong jawline. Because there are smaller incisions here, there’s quicker recovery, making it one of the least invasive liposuction areas.

Back

Often, men lose weight but still have pockets of fat in the back that just won’t go away. Back liposuction focuses on the upper and mid-back fat bulges to give them a leaner appearance.

Upper Arms

Liposuction in the upper arms can help reduce bulkiness. In addition, it can better define the tricep and bicep contours.

This is commonly chosen by men who have strong muscles but a layer of fat that covers definition.

Thigh

Thigh liposuction is more commonly seen in women, but men get it too. Inner or outer thigh liposuction can improve proportions for men who have thicker legs.

Risks and Side Effects

Liposuction may be considered a minimally invasive procedure, but it’s still a surgery. You’ll have minimalized risks if you choose a reputable board-certified surgeon. Despite this, there are still risks and side effects you should be aware of.

For example, there are common temporary effects of:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Firmness
• Fluid retention

Possible complications include:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Uneven contour or asymmetry
• Seroma (fluid accumulation)
• Changes in skin sensation

The Recovery Process

The liposuction recovery process for men is similar to the recovery process for women. However, since male fat is denser, the swelling can take slightly longer to resolve in areas such as the abdomen and chest.

Special Considerations for Men

As we’ve mentioned before, male fat is often more fibrous, especially in the chest and flanks. This may make fat removal more difficult, but the payoff is crisper definition when the procedure’s done well.

You should also note that because men have thicker skin, it tends to retract better. As a result, this reduces the risk of loose skin post-op, unless you go through massive weight loss.

In many cases, men opt for high-definition liposuction, or “etching.” This can bring out the muscle lines in your abs, chest, and arms. And if you have significant loose skin, you can combine the liposuction surgery with a tummy tuck or skin tightening for optimal results.

Liposuction for Men Is Possible

If you need a solution for stubborn excess fat, then have peace of mind knowing that liposuction for men is possible. The best thing is that the surgery permanently removes fat cells from the treated areas, so if you work hard at maintaining the results, they can be permanent.

So stop dreaming about the perfect sculpted body. It’s time for you to consider liposuction so you can look like the Greek statues you’ve always admired.

To schedule your liposuction consultation, contact us now. Dr. Valdez is a board-certified surgeon who has an expert bilingual staff on hand, as well as a board-certified anesthesiologist.