Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Plication with Full Tummy Tuck

I am scheduled for a a TT with flank lipo in April. I am 32 years old. I have lost a total of 60 lbs, and have kept it off since June of 2007. I am 5ft 7" and weigh 165. I see where others have posted that they know how many inches, etc. their abdominal muscles have seperated. I have never been pregnant. Is there a chance that my muscles will not need tightened (stitched) or can being overweight seperate them just as much? Thank you in advance for your professional opinion.

15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Niffie in Central Minnesota
+3

Full plication not always needed in abdominoplasty

During the preoperative visit your surgeon should do a full evaluation of your abdominal wall in the standing position, with your normal muscle tone and then with the muscles relaxed in order to determine if you will need a rectus muscle plication or not, how extensive in length or the degree of plication. Besides pregnancy or significant weight gain there are genetic and morphological factors that will determine if the abdominal wall will need reshaping or not. In summary, most patients... more
+3

Full Tummy Tuck Should Include Plication

The terms tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, and plication can be misleading. In general the changes to the female abdominal wall from significant weight loss (obtained by diet and exercise) can be similar to those changes subsequent to child bearing +/- significant weight loss. A rectus diastasis ( separation of  the rectus abdominis muscles, usually because of thinned or stretched fascia) is not the only indication for a plication. At times it is helpful to contour and strengthen... more
+2

Abdominal Muscle Plication During Abdominoplasty

Excellent question! In my experience, most patients who have had major weight loss, with or without pregnancy, will require abdominal plication due to stretching of the fascia from weight gain.

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+2

Abdominal Muscle Tightening in Tummy Tucks: Creating a waistline

Abdominal muscle tightening or midline plication can be used to repair a diastasis recti which is spreading of the central abdominal muscles, and/or to shape the abdomen and help create a waistline. I do not use it on everyone, but in general someone who has had children and/or has lost weight will have some element of abdominal spreading which would benefit from correction. I use 2 layer of internal sutures to hold this in place and have found that in combination with liposuction, it can... more
+2

The need for plication in a tummy tuck.

You certainly can have a separation (diastasis) of the muscles from increased abdominal weight if that excess weight was underneath the muscle (known as "visceral fat"). However, it is much more common following pregnancy. During your tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your muscle separation and repair it if necessary. This repair is straightforward with the goal of improving the underlying abdominal wall so that the contour effects of the tummy tuck result in a flat,... more
+2

Separation of tummy muscles,diastasis recti, tummy tuck surgery, repair of muscles with tummy tuck,abdominolasty

The tummy muscles usually separate not only during pregancy but also with weight gain for fat is accumulated around the intestines within the belly. After pregancy or weight loss, the separation becomes apparent. Sometimes, the Tuppler method can help to correct this. This diastasis though is usually surgically corrected with bringing the muscles together during a tummy tuck procedure. This also narrows the waist.
+2

Muscle plication vs no plication

I usually check to see how the tummy looks ahead of time. If it looks flat to begin with, you might not need muscle plication. If it looks like it's bulging, obviously plication is needed. If it is flat because you hold your stomach in and bulges when you are relaxed, then muscle plication will make it tight so you don't have to suck it in. I think this is something that needs to be agreed upon before the procedure. But your Plastic Surgeon might have a different way of going about... more
+2

Plication with Abdominoplasty

Every patient is different, so there is no way to give you specific advice.  However, while pregnancy can cause diastasis, obesity can too.  I suspect that you will require plication during your abdominoplasty to achieve the best result.  However, you should discuss your concerns with your surgeon.   Good Luck.
+2

Tummy tuck and liposuction, weight loss

A good preoperative examination can usually demonstrate muscle widening of the abdomen.  There are patients who have never been pregnant who have muscle widening.  This can be due to weight issues, trauma, other previous surgery, inherent muscle weakness, some connective tissue disorders etc. A surgeon can determine intraoperatively if the muscles have to be tightened.  Your recovery will be a lot easier if the muscles don't have to be tightened.  Tightening... more
+2

Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Plication

Some patients who have never been pregnant do not need to have their muscles plicated in order to obtain a good result from abdominoplasty.  This is something that your surgeon should have discussed with you at the time of your initial consultation.  This is a question which he or she should answer before your surgery is performed.
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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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