In a culture where the six-pack has become as symbolic as the microphone, a new cosmetic craze is tightening its grip on hip-hop and celebrity circles abdominal etching. The buzz hit a high when rapper Bandman Kevo posted on X, flaunting a sharply defined midsection with a caption that read,
“Not everyone is gonna admit it, but I got lipo for my abs and waist. Now I’m 220 from 284. No shame in my game.”
From Miami to London, male celebrities and an increasing number of non-celebrities are embracing this body-sculpting shortcut. The trend, sometimes dubbed the “male BBL” following Drake’s rumored six-pack transformation, has exploded online, where before-and-after photos flood timelines and stoke conversation.
Abdominal etching involves a high-definition liposuction surgical procedure developed in the 1990s by Dr. Henry Mentz and subsequently refined with VASER technology (ultrasonic liposuction) by Dr. Alfredo Hoyos. It differs from conventional lipo in that it sculpts out abdominal fat around abdominal muscles to produce illusory natural grooves that create an impression of a protruding six-pack.
The procedure takes 1–3 hours, involves small incisions and thin cannulas, and is typically performed under local or general anesthesia. Recovery requires 4–6 weeks of compression garments, with most patients returning to light activity within 5–14 days.
“You can’t come in 40 pounds overweight and expect a six-pack,”
says Dr. Morales, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles.
“We work with what’s already there it’s enhancement, not creation.”
Though viral reports place the cost at $16,000, all experts concur that this is an exaggeration. Typical U.S. prices are between $3,000 and $10,000, with high-end urban centers (such as NYC or LA) pricing out at $13,000. International travel to Thailand or Turkey can get packages for as little as $3,300 to $5,200.
Post-pandemic, male cosmetic surgery particularly among men aged 30–50 years in urban cities like Miami, London, Toronto, and Sydney has gained momentum. Over 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2023, with ab etching being among the fastest-growing segments, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
A post from X.
On social media, #AbEtching and #MaleBBL regularly trend, with users both praising and criticizing the phenomenon. One viral X post from @FitTruthUK said,
“When abs come with a payment plan, can we still call it fitness?”
Ab etching has stirred debate about body image and authenticity, especially when public figures remain silent about undergoing the procedure. Critics argue it sets unrealistic standards, particularly for younger audiences.
“It’s like digital filters, but for your body,”
says Healthline contributor and body image advocate Mel Ruiz.
“If you can buy your abs, what does that say about the rest of us grinding in the gym?”
From a medical angle, risks include infection, nerve damage, asymmetry, or unnatural results especially in patients who neglect post-op lifestyle maintenance. A 10-year study across 345 patients found a 95% satisfaction rate, but 0.6% needed revision surgeries.
As the cultural needle shifts and the stigma around male cosmetic surgery fades, the rise of ab etching isn’t just about looks it’s about how modern masculinity is being reshaped, one sculpted ab at a time.
So the question remains: In a world of filters and facelifts, is the six-pack still a badge of fitness or just another aesthetic illusion?
