Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Is It Common NOT to Do Muscle Tightening with a Tummy Tuck? (Photos)

I'm 38 yrs old. 5'3 and 140 lbs and a parent of 2. I'm scheduled for a tummy tuck at the end of this week to correct my pooch left over from my c-section. My doctor told me that my core is strong and won't require muscle tightening. Is that common? Why would he not tighten my muscles if it's a part of the procedure. I figured if i am paying for it, why skip the most important step? Am i wrong?

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by Meech in Corpus Christi, TX

Doctor Answers (19)
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Tummy tuck without muscle tightening

There are three things that can detract from a perfectly flat tummy. abdominal wall laxity or " looseness" caused by stretching due usually to pregnancy or less often massive weight gain and loss. skin laxity and looseness due to similar causes as mentioned above excess fat A patient needs muscle tightening only if the abdominal wall muscles are loose. If the muscles and abdominal wall are adequate then "skin only abdominoplasty"... more

Tighten or not to tighten the muscles in a TT, that is the question

Thank you for the photos. First of all I hope you consulted with a board certified plastic surgeon. Looking at you photos, I would definitely do a muscle plication and liposuction of you flanks and hips. The fee quoted to you might not have the muscle tightening in it. You should clear this up prior to your scheduled surgery or seek another opinion. You do not want to have two surgeries instead of one performed appropriately. Good luck.

Must have muscle repair

Thanks for the picture. A muscle repair is essential for you because ofthe diastasis of your muscles that I can see on your pictures. I feel you will be dissapointed without it.

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Muscle Tightening with a Tummy Tuck

In patients that have had only one or two children and that are young and athletic, sometimes they don’t have a diastasis rectus and don’t need tightening of the muscles. Most of the time, more than 90%, patients will need diastasis rectus muscle tightening because there is a widening or laxity of this area from pregnancy.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Muscle tightening during tummy tuck

Muscle tightening is routinely part of every abdominoplasty. It would be very rare not to need tightening of the muscles, especially after child bearing.

Muscle Tightening and The Tummy Tuck Procedure

Great question! Every surgeon operates differently so if you are concerned I advise you to get a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon. Although examining a patient in person is much more efficient, from the looks of your photos and given the fact that you are a mother of two, I believe that a combo of muscle tightening and liposuction of your hips, flanks and abdomen would be suitable for you. Post pregnancy a woman’s body goes through many changes, and one... more

Muscle Tightening During Tummy Tuck

Given that you have had two children, it is likely that you would benefit from muscle tightening. It appears on the side view, that you have some convexity of your abdomen. Muscle plication would probably help this. You should make sure that you and your surgeon are on the same page about this. Also make sure that he is a Board Certified plastic surgeon.

Muscle tightening during an abdominoplasty

It is rare that I do not tighten the abdominal muscles during an abdominoplasty. You have had two children and your photos show that you have some abdominal protuberance that could be improved with muscle plication. Women's habits change over a lifetime and although you are exercising now chances are that you will not always be doing so ( I speak from personal experience). This is your opportunity to have those muscles brought together forever. Why skip over... more

Is It Common NOT to Do Muscle Tightening with a Tummy Tuck? (Photos)

The majority of the expert posters feel some form of muscle tightening is the better option. Maybe you and your chosen doctor need further discussions to clear the air.

Tummy tuck without muscle tightening

Thanks for including photos - they're quite revealing. The generalized convexity of your abdominal wall is likely the result of separation of your rectus abdominus muscle (i.e. the muscles tightened during a tummy tuck). Performing a tummy tuck without tightening these muscles likely means that this shape of your abdominal wall will persist. It's important that you and your plastic surgeon are on the same page prior to surgery. If you have questions, ask him - he may have a very... more

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