When Stomach Muscles Are Stitched Together, What is Used, is It Strong and Holds Up Long?

asked 1 year ago by creative1 in Louisville, KY
Latest answer by Ronald H. Stefani Jr, MD
Question viewed 643 times
Tags: muscle repair, technique

Full tt recently and I began wondering... when the stomach muscles are sewn together, are they cut then sewn so that they grow together, or is the muscle dependent on the material used to stitch it together? How durable is the "product" that is used? Thank you. sincerely

10 answers to When Stomach Muscles Are Stitched Together, What is Used, is It Strong and Holds Up Long?

Tummy tuck

Suture is used to stitch the muscles and it is usually permanent suture. It will not dissolve and usually is strong and will allow a scar to form to hold the muscles tight. It is important, however, to modify your activity for 6-8 weeks to allow adequate healing for strength. I hope this info helps.

Ronald H. Stefani Jr, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Stitches

Yes it does last. But, everyone does this part a little different . I will place two rows of sutures for extra support. But one row is just fine for most. The trick to longevity with this is giving it time to heal and strengthen. Crunches within a month of the procedure would be a bad idea. Start slow and get guidance from your BC plastic surgeon. Good Luck.

Paul Albear, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.albearplasticsurgery.com

When Stomach Muscles Are Stitched Together, What is Used, is It Strong and Holds Up Long?

Re: "wondering... when the stomach muscles are sewn together, are they cut then sewn so that they grow together, or is the muscle dependent on the material used to stitch it together? How durable is the "product" that is used?" Great question. Extreme weight gain and pregnancy are associated with separation of the Six Pack muscles and out stretching of the OTHER abdominal wall muscles. As a result, the most important factor in a Tummy Tuck is the decreasing of... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Lasting results after muscle repair in tummy tuck not suture-related

The rectus muscles, that you see as a "six-pack" in body builders, typically get pushed apart during pregnancy (called a diastasis.) Because the direction of contraction of the muscles is up and down, not sideways, they cannot be pulled together with exercise which is why they are repaired with a tummy tuck. This repair does not involve cutting the muscles, or even putting the stiches into the muscle. They are encased in a tough lining called fascia, which holds the sutures. After... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Plication In Tummy Tuck

The muscle plication which is a part of most full tummy tucks does not involve cutting the muscle. The muscle is imbricated or sutured in such a way that it is brught together and the soft tissue between the muscle edges is directly towaard the abdomen. The type of suture material is the surgeon's choice. I use a permanent nylon suture which does not dissolve.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Stomach Muscles Are Stitched Together with Strong Sutures

In a tummy tuck, the tummy muscles are stitched together with strong, permanent suture. The muscles themselves are left alone, and the fasica, or outer covering of the tummy muscles, are where the sutures are placed to tighten the stomach muscles. Typically the suture is permanent, meaning that the suture material won't dissolve. Also, 2 or even 3 sutures are used, so that even if 1 suture fails, the other ones will hold the stomach muscles together. The... more

Roy Kim, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Technique for Tummy Tuck Muscle Tightening

A tummy tuck helps 3 problem areas of the abdomen. First is removal and tightening of the excess skin. Usually all the skin from just above the belly button down to the pubic bone is cut away. Second is the removal and/or thinning of the fatty layer. All the fatty tissue beneath the removed skin mentioned above is also cut away; then the remaining tissue, including fat in the upper abdomen is stretched downward, ultimately making the fatty layer thinner.... more

Jana K. Rasmussen, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Tightening during Tummy Tuck

Many people use the term "muscle tightening" when referring to a full tummy tuck / abdominoplasty. What is actually happening is a rectus diastasis repair. This means that the fascia between the muscles is sewn together. Usually a permanent sutures such as Nylon is used. In my patients I do two to three layers of sutures to create a very strong plication (attachment). I hope this answer is helpful. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Muslce repair and tummy tuck

Preference for suture material varies depending on the surgeon- some using absorbable sutures and others permanent sutures. Various suturing techniques are also employed, some using continuous sutures while others using separate or interrupted suture. As long as the grade of suture material is thick enough the technique may not matter, although my personal preference is interrupted permanent suture for the most secure closure. Whatever technique is utilized it is most important that during... more

David A. Bottger, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

Muscles are "realigned," suture holds them together so they can bond

It is more of a "realignment" of the muscles. They are not cut. They are not even exposed. The sheath around the rectus muscles is sewn together in the midline, correcting the bowing of these muscles that occurs after pregnancy or weight gain. The sutures need to hold the tissues together long enough for them to scar together. Then the sutures are not really necessary. Many surgeons (myself included) use permanent sutures out of an abundance of... more