Move over, 8-Minute Abs. A surgeon in Denver is touting his “abdominal etching” surgery that promises 6-pack abs, without the crunches.

Patient John O’Brien claims he “hit the gym four days a week and ran regularly but couldn’t get rid of his stubborn belly fat.”

The Denver Post story continues to say that O’Brien “chose surgery to boost his self-esteem and maintain a competitive edge he felt he was losing with age.”

Excuse me?!

1) Nowhere in the article did it state anything about O’Brien’s meal plan. If he eats like crap, no amount of running or hitting the gym is going to give him the six-pack he desires.

2) Do you think he could boost his self esteem and maintain his competitive edge — sans surgery — by doing what you are doing . . . setting goals and taking action every day to achieve them?

Put it all together and you can have YOUR six-pack: Train with weights 3 days per week, do your cardio 3 days per week, and fuel your body with the right portions of protein and carbs every 3 hours that you are awake.

It might even boost your self esteem and your competitive edge.

Here is the crucial element that O’Brien is missing: Meal Plan

Give it a shot. Or just go have an $8,000 date with a surgeon specializing in abdominal etching.

Which do you choose?