Tummy Tuck: Q&A
Ask a QuestionWhen an Abdominoplasty is Performed. How Does the Rectus Abdominis Muscle Heal?
What holds it all together? Yes, I know stitches, but do the muscles actually heal together? Is there scar tissue that helps strengthen the rectus abdominis? I just want to know how it all stays together and strong.
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4 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Double55Nickel
in Saratoga Springs, NY
+2
Rectus repair
During an abdominoplasty, the diastasis recti is repaired usually with permanent sutures and then scar tissue develops which reinforces the repair.
+2
The muscle fascia heals together with time
Dear Double55Nickel,
When abdominal wall plication is done during abdominoplasty, it is actually the tough connective tissue covering (the muscle fascia) that is stitched together. The muscles themselves are not technically stitched together, but the maneuver has the effect of putting the muscles back, side to side again. When the muscles are brought back together like this, there are two main benefits:
The rectus diastasis and laxity of the abdominal...
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+2
Tummy tuck muscle repair explained and compared to tree grafting.
We often use permanent sutures to hold muscles together until they heal, A simple analogy is grafting two tree brancehes with duct tape. initially the tape is all that holds the branches together. With time the branches grow into each other and the tape plays a secondary role and is eventually unnecessary. In a similar fashion stiches hold muscles together unitl they heal. With the proper exercise and core strengthening the muscles remian in alignment and rely less on the sutures. I hope...
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Abdominal plication techniques for tummy tuck surgery
There is some scar formation between the approximated rectus muscles- but what is really holding the connective tissue together is permanent, non-absorbing suture. Placing absorbable suture in a rectus muscle plication can lead to recurrent abdominal wall laxity.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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