How Can You Determine the Need for Muscle Repair During a TT Evaluation? (photo)

An evaluation for tummy tuck includes examining the abdomen while the patient is relaxed and leaning slightly forward on exhalation.  If the abdomen protrudes, then muscle repair wound be beneficial.

When a tummy tuck is indicated, it is rare not to perform muscle repair at the same time.

 I hope this helps.

The determination as to whether or not muscle tightening would be beneficial can only be made with a physical examination. With the patient laying flat they are asked to elevate their head as though they are performing a sit up. The surgeon will then feel the central line of the abdomen extending from the rib cage down to the pubic pubic bone. If a separation exists then repair is usually beneficial.
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is one of the most frequently performed and popular procedures and plastic surgery. Most women who undergo abdominoplasty do so after they are done childbearing. Unfortunately childbearing causes significant stress of the abdominal wall in all directions. Many women also experience separation of the rectus muscles of the abdominal wall. These are to parallel muscles running from the rib cage down to the pubic bone. Fortunately this separation can be repaired during the course of a full abdominoplasty. In general when stretch marks are present the best operation is usually a full abdominoplasty.
In a full abdominoplasty an incision is made from one hip to the other. I prefer patients to bring in the lower portion of the two-piece plating sutures they would most like to wear. This allows me to design the incision in the most favorable location. It is best to put the incision as low as possible. In general this usually means approximately 7 cm from the opening of the vagina.
After this incision is made the skin and fat layer is separated from, and elevated off, of the underlying muscle layer. This separation continues up to the belly button. An incision is then made around the belly button releasing it from the skin and fat layer being elevated. This allows for elevation of the skin and fat layer to continue up to the rib margin. At this point the entire central muscle layer is exposed and can be tightened from the rib cage all the way down to the pubic bone. The skin and fat layer is then pulled snugly down to the lower incision and the excess skin and fat is removed. The belly button, which is still attached to the muscle layer, is then brought out through a new incision at the same level it was at the beginning.
In the ideal situation the original incision which was made around the belly button is pulled down far enough to be discarded with the extra skin. Occasionally this skin cannot be tightened enough to allow for the removal of the opening created by the original incision around the belly button. In this situation the opening has to be closed leaving a vertical incision somewhere between the belly button and the pubic bone. Most often, with careful attention to detail, the closure of this vertical incision can result in a very acceptable scar.
In a mini abdominoplasty the incision is designed along the same lines as the full abdominoplasty. Very often the length of the incision for the mini abdominoplasty is similar to the full abdominoplasty incision. Even if it is shorter healing time for the incision will be essentially the same because incisions healed from side to side not end to end. After the incision is made skin and fat layer is elevated up to the belly button but not past it. Because the skin and fat layer is not elevated off of the upper abdomen complete tightening of the muscle layer is not possible.
After the skin and fat layer is elevated it is pulled down tightly and the excess is removed. No tightening of the skin above the belly button is performed. Very often during the course of the mini abdominoplasty the rest of the abdominal wall is liposuctioned to remove excess fat.
Although the recovery time for a full abdominoplasty is somewhat longer than a mini abdominoplasty the results are worth it.
If you are considering a tummy tuck be sure to consult a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who performs these procedures on a regular basis.

Muscle repair during a Tummy Tuck is done to repair a split between the two Rectus Abdominus Muscles of the abdomen. This split is usually occurs after pregnancy.

Diagnosis is made during Physical Exam. With you lying on the exam table the Physician will ask you to do a partial sit up while the doctor is examining your abdomen. As your abdominal muscles tighten, the doctor can feel the split between the two large Rectus Abdominus muscles.

If muscle repair is required during your Tummy Tuck then a full abdominoplasty will usually be necessary.

A Mini Abdominoplasty or mini Tummy Tuck typically does not allow enough exposure or visibility to complete a full repair of a Diastasis Recti.