Six-pack surgery gains traction among US men despite ‘dad bod’ acceptance

American men are reportedly turning to ab-etching surgery, moving away from ‘dad bods’, to achieve toned six-pack abs.

Despite "dad bods" getting their moment of glory in recent years, more US men are ditching the beer bellies and opting for a plastic surgery procedure called "ab-etching" to score six-pack abs without lifting a single dumbbell. 

The procedure, known as high-definition liposuction, sculpts abdominal muscles to create a toned, athletic look that traditional liposuction can’t deliver, according to Dr. Josef Hadeed, a board-certified plastic surgeon who spoke to Fox News. It involves removing fat from specific areas of the stomach to give the illusion of defined abs and "V lines."

Unlike traditional liposuction, high-definition lipo offers greater muscle definition by sculpting both fat and muscle contours. This procedure, already popular in Brazil, is now gaining traction in the US.

Junior Carvalho, 52, underwent the surgery in 2022 after failing to achieve his desired look through exercise. He shared his excitement with the New York Post, saying, "The sensation is incredible." Following the operation, Carvalho felt a boost in confidence and enjoyed walking shirtless on the beach.

Dr. Joubin Gabbay, medical director at Gabbay Plastic Surgery, and Dr. Finny George of New York Plastic Surgical Group both noted an increase in requests for this cosmetic enhancement. According to the New York Post, this trend reflects the growing acceptance of men undergoing plastic surgery. A 2022 report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed a 207% rise in male cosmetic operations since 2019.