Ab-etching surgery gives Bandman Kevo six pack without working out, and rappers are lining up for it

Time of India

a day ago

In the world of hip-hop, a six-pack is no longer earned solely through hours at the gym. A growing number of rappers and male celebrities are turning to a cosmetic procedure called
abdominal etching
, a high-definition liposuction technique that sculpts fat around the abs to create the illusion of a chiseled core.
The trend reached viral status after rapper Bandman Kevo posted a shirtless photo on X, showing off his surgically defined torso.
'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,' Kevo wrote.
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Often referred to as the "
male BBL
," ab etching has become especially popular among men in urban centers like Miami, Los Angeles, London, and Toronto. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2023, with ab-etching among the fastest-growing segments.
While some online reports suggest the procedure can cost up to $16,000, most experts say prices range between $3,000 and $10,000 in the US, depending on the city and surgeon. High-end clinics in cities like New York or LA may charge up to $13,000, while international packages in Thailand or Turkey cost as little as $3,300.
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Originally developed in the 1990s by Dr. Henry Mentz and refined with ultrasonic technology by Dr. Alfredo Hoyos, the procedure uses small cannulas and incisions to remove fat and accentuate the natural lines of the abdominal muscles. The surgery takes 1–3 hours, followed by 4–6 weeks of recovery with compression garments.
'This is enhancement, not creation,' said Dr. Morales, a Los Angeles-based plastic surgeon. 'You can't come in 40 pounds overweight and expect a six-pack.'
Critics argue that glorifying surgical abs may send the wrong message, especially to younger audiences.
'It's like digital filters, but for your body,' said Mel Ruiz, a health writer and body image advocate. 'If you can buy your abs, what does that say about the rest of us grinding in the gym?'
On platforms like
TikTok
and
Instagram
, hashtags like #AbEtching and #MaleBBL regularly trend, fueled by speculation over celebrity physiques, including rumors that rapper
Drake
may have undergone the procedure, though he has not confirmed it.
The six-pack, once a symbol of discipline, may now be seen as just another aesthetic investment.