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My Doctor Doesn't Do Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair - Is That Normal?

asked 1 year ago by WOW2 in Chicago
Latest answer by Laurence Weider, MD
Question viewed 479 times
Tags: muscle, normal, repair

i am considering a tt--my dr said she doesn't do muscle repair. is that nromal?

17 answers to My Doctor Doesn't Do Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair - Is That Normal?

Tummy tuck without muscle repair

While there are some instances when muscle tighening is not indicated, in most cases it is beneficial. This is especially true in women who have had children as well as men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight. If your surgeon never performs muscle repair, I would get a second opinion from a ABPS board certified plastic surgeon.

Laurence Weider, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Repair of muscle is a critical portion tummy tuck

In my experience, a muscle repair is absolutely required to achieve a better result IF a significant diastasis exists. So, to answer your question, I would recommend that you find a surgeon who does perform a muscle repair or at least explains why you do not need one.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It is okay in the right situation

In some circumstances it is very reasonable to perform a tummy tuck without muscle repair. This means that the abdominal muscles are tight and flat. In most patients this is not the case. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

MUSCLE REPAIR IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF TUMMY TUCK

Hmmmm.... Does your surgeon does not want to do muscle repair on you because you don't need it, or dose he/she not do repair on every body? If the latter is true, then I highly recommend seeing another surgoen, preferably a board certified plastic surgeon. Have you seen before and after photos of your doctor's work?

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

Repairing the muscle during abdominoplasty is almost always performed.

Repairing the muscle during abdominoplasty is almost always performed, and is one of the most helpful components of creating a flat abdomen. I would be very surprised if a board certified plastic surgeon doesn't offer that as part of the procedure.

Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

No Muscle Repair After Tummy Tuck

Muscle repair can make one of the biggest contributions to a quality tummy tuck, and produces much of the toned, youthful look most women desire. If you have not had children, and/or do not have much separation of your abdominal muscles (called diastsis recti) then muscle repair might not be needed. I would have a lot of questions for a surgeon who says they "never" do muscle repair.

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

My Doctor Doesn't Do Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair

Very unusual but it is a possibility. Seek other opinions from boarded plastic surgeons in your area, Chicago. I'm sure you can find other opinions than it is up to you to decide who or which doctor is speaking the truth.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair with tummy tuck is normal

Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is typically done with muscle repair. It is NOT normal to not do muscle repair with tummy tuck. Tummy tuck is usually done to repair the loose skin and bulge of the tummy that occurs with pregnancy. Muscle repair is an important part of this repair. Recheck with your doctor or get a second opinion.

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD
Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repairs are needed in almost all tummy tucks

Except in men who have lost excess weight, almost all patients who need a tummy tuck will benefit from muscle tightening. Some need more than others but virtually all will be better having some done. I'd be a bit skeptical of a doctor who actually says that they never repair the muscle. Almost sounds like a non-plastic surgeon pretending to be a real plastic surgeon.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair in Tummy Tuck

I have never done an abdominoplasty without also tightening the “muscle.” If your skin has stretched enough to need a tummy tuck, your muscle fascia has also stretched. You said your “doctor,” not your Plastic Surgeon. Some non Plastic Surgeons may not do all the steps required to obtain the optimal result because of lack of training. I would check credentials and discuss any concerns with your doctor.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Repair Just DEPENDS on Severity

With regards to needing your diastasis repaired, it all really depends. Some women definetely need it to get the best aesthetic result, while in others it adds almost nothing accept pain and discomfort after surgery. It is the role of your surgeon to really identify what will work best for you. In some women, they have a small diastasis, and repairing it really adds nothing to the aesthetic outcome. Every patient is different, so to say that someone always needs it... more

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD
Barrington Plastic Surgeon

Is it ACCEPTABLE for a Plastic surgeon to do Tummy Tucks without Muscle Repair

Regarding : "My Doctor Doesn't Do Tummy Tuck with Muscle Repair - Is That Normal? i am considering a tt--my dr said she doesn't do muscle repair. is that nromal?" When the only deficit is a small amount of skin looseness WITHOUT a history of pregnancy, large weight loss, damaged stretch marked skin of the lower tummy - then a Mini Tummy Tuck (= skin removal without transposition of the belly button or muscle repair) may be all you need. But, I would be very... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair is a common step in tummy tuck

Tummy tuck involves removal of skin excess from the abdomen, and tightening the abdominal muscle for most candidates. Pregnancy especially can cause the abdominal wall to become lax, and the sit-up muscles to spread referred to as a diastasis. Repair and tightening of the muscles is a frequent and important step in tummy tuck to restore the abdominal contour. Surgery without muscle repair is not the 'normal' practice today. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair with tummy tuck is very often necessary for a good result

There are 3 reasons to consider a tummy tuck: localized fat that is resistant to change with diet and exercise, skin laxity with stretch marks, and muscle separation usually from prior pregnancy. If localized fat is the only problem, then liposuction is the better choice. If the skin has been stretched from prior pregnancy, the muscles have almost certainly been pushed apart too. This cannot be corrected with exercise, and if they are not put back into position when the tummy tuck is done... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair

I almost always tighten the muscles, I think that a second opinion is in order - also check the credentials of the first doctor.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck without Muscle Repair

I have encountered a few patients who benefited from a tummy tuck without a muscle repair, but they were definately in the minority. Almost all tummy tucks include a muscle repair. You might want to consider obtaining a second opinion.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Muscle repair is an important part of a tummy tuck.

Certainly there are cases in which it is not necessary to tighten the muscles when performing a tummy tuck, however, on most occasions, the muscle should be tightened. The beauty of a tummy tuck procedure is not only the elimination of excess skin and fat, but also, a more firm muscle layer. To not perform muscle tightening on a patient with extremely lax muscles would create a very unhappy patient in my opinion.