Will Muscle Repair Be Necessary? Doctor Answers, Tips
Male Tummy Tuck: Q&A
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Will Muscle Repair Be Necessary?

In the past 5 years I've lost about 75lbs, and I'm finally ready to get a TT. A buddy of mine had one done some years ago and cautioned against getting the muscle repair. I already don't want it b/c of the recovery time and I hate not being able to go to the gym. Are you able to tell from photos if I'll need a muscle repair? When I touch my stomach it feels like my abs are flat underneath. I realize they may not be able to tell until they get in there, but I figured I'd ask.

19 Doctor Answers | Asked by Westbury7294 in Brooklyn, NY
+2

Will I need a muscle repair during abdominoplasty?

You can tell if your rectus abdominis muscles (the six pack) have splayed by tensing them and feeling the gap between them. You can tense them by lying on the floor and lift your head and neck off the floor and feel your abdomen above your belly button. Alternatively, you can keep both legs straight and lift them both in the air - this will have the same effect. Sometimes you can see a bulge in the upper abdomen when you do this, but for more subtle changes, you need to... more
+1

Unlikely that you need muscle repair with your tummy tuck

Only an in-person exam can tell you if you really need a muscle repair, but from your photos it appears that you may only need skin excision. This is good for you, in that the recovery will be significantly faster.
+1

Male tummy tuck and muscle repair

Thank you for the question and the photos. The decision whether you need muscle tightening or not is based on two criteria. The first is your examination finding of separation of the muscles. The second is based on what you want. Muscle tightening does give you a much narrower waist and sometimes a bit more feminine. My advice for you is to see a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss all these options with him/her. I would like to congratulate you on your weight loss and on your effort... more

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+1

Male abdominoplasties seldom need muscle repair.

Seldom is repair of the fascia that supports the muscle needed in males undergoing abdominoplasty. Women who have had children almost always have some laxity that benefits from repair.
+1

Muscle repair and male tummy tucks

The main cause of rectus diastasis in tummy tuck patients is pregnancy. The dramatic amount of tension placed on the abdominal can cause small tears and stretches out the fascia. Thus, men rarely require plication of the rectus fascia (aka muscle repair) during a tummy tuck. It is true that plicating the fascia can narrow the waist dramatically causing a more feminine appearance. From your statement and your photos, it appears that a plication will most... more
+1

Male abdominoplasty diastasis

Congratulations on your weight loss! That's outstanding. Generally, men are less likely to require the diastasis repair than women but the only way to know for certain is to be examined by aplastic surgeon. The operation is easier to undergo without the muscle repair but the goal is always to achieve the best possible result.
+1

Skin Tightening without Tummy Tuck

Based on your photographs, and in patient's who maintain good skin elasticity (as your photos support) after significant weight loss, an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is rarely indicated. In patients such as this, I generally recommend a non-invasive/minimally invasive approach such as externally delivered laser such as Skin Tyte or internally delivered laser such as Pro Lipo Plus. Of course the most accurate advice is given only after a comprehensive in-office examination and personal... more
+1

Male Tummy Tuck.

Westbury, It's a really good question you ask about tightening the muscle in male patients. I have a specific view on this issue. In my opinion tightening the recutus abdominus muscles has a very feminizing effect on the waist by narrowiing it. It my male patients we prefer to avoid this. In rare cases it may be necesary. Based on your photos, it does not look like you require it and I would suggest you avoid that maneuver. Best of luck, Bernard Shuster
+1

Muscle Repair after Tummy Tuck

Great question. It is obvious that your primary problem is skin laxity, not muscle laxity. However, you are considering an elective cosmetic surgery. I would not shortcut your result so you can get back to the gym a few weeks earlier. Based on your exam, if the plastic surgeon feels he or she can tighten your muscle to provide a narrower waistline and improved contour and result, it may be worth the extra recovery in the longterm. Bottomline, it is... more
+1

Abdominoplasty

If you had a large weight loss the intraperitoneal component may have stretched your muscles and caused a diastasis. If you do not have one, then you do not need the muscles tightened.
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