Robert C. Bledsoe, Jr., MD

During a tummy tuck, the central muscles in the abdomen (rectus muscles) are repositioned back to the midline. Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies, tend to push these muscles out to the side where they can lose efficiency in the sitting up movement. We usually ask our patients to refrain from stomach specific exercises for two months after a tummy tuck. After then, it is very important to "rehab" the stomach muscles to restore abdominal wall tone and contour. In conclusion, a tummy tuck does not alter in any way the need to maintain good abdominal wall tone/strength after surgery.