Will Muscle Tightening Give Better Results, Even if I Don't Need it?

With 2 full term pregnancies and have lost near 100 lbs through exercise and diet control. Scheduled for tummy tuck in 2 weeks. My PS tells me after carefully examining my muscles, that I don't require muscle tightening that I have good muscle tone. But, he will determine that during TT.

I want things to be done the right way and if it means to give better result, I rather to have the muscle tightening. Can I request my PS to tightening the muscle even he says I don't need it?

Tags:

Comment on this

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by CallMeSue in washington, dc

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (0)

Muscle Tightening and Tummy Tuck

It is rare that patients do not see some benefit from a muscle tightening procedure with a tummy tuck. Occasionally patients do not need it, but your history suggests that you might. If you don't need it intra-operatively, then over tightening just adds to post-op pain. That is a decision you need to discuss with your surgeon directly. Best of luck, Vincent Marin, MD San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Muscle tightening during tummy tuck

The standard abdominoplasty or tummy tuck involves removal of the pannus, or overhanging abdominal tissue, tightening of the muscles in the midline and recreation of the belly button. In virtually all of the tummy tucks I've performed I could tell preoperatively if the muscles needed tightening. This is determined by the overall abdominal wall laxity at rest and with muscle contraction and the diastasis or distance between the muscles in the midline. However, I have had... more

Need for a muscle repair during a tummy tuck is a given for 100 pound weight loss

In concert with most of the other plastic surgeon respondents (but more forceful verbally), it would be essentially a zero percent possibility that with a nearly 100 pound weight loss and 2 pregnancies that you would not have laxity of your abdominal wall which would require a repair. I have never seen this and I would guess that none of these other plastic surgeons could recall such a case of their own. It may be wise that before you proceed with surgery obtain one or more additional... more

Tightening of abdominal muscles with a TT

IIt is rare that I don't tighten the muscle during a TT. With your history I would anticipate a much better result if it were done. In fact, I have never seen a scenario like yours that didn't need it. At the very least ask your scheduled surgeon to do it for you. If he/she refuses I would seek the opinion of another board certified plastic surgeon. Unless you have another TT someday you won't get this chance again. Don't let it pass you by. more

Muscle tightening during tummy tuck

After 2 pregnancies and an almost 100 pound weight loss, it is highly likely that you are going to require fascial plication ("muscle tightening"). Although relatively rare, the extent of your laxity may not become fully apparent until after your muscles are fully relaxed under general anesthesia. You may wish to emphasize to your surgeon that you expect the muscles to be tightened unless there is no laxity even after full muscle relaxation., Good... more

When muscle tightening is needed

It is correct in that not all will need muscle tightening during a tummy tuck. It is hard to imagine though that after two pregnancies and a near 100 pound weight loss that a firm muscle plication and repair would not improve your tummy tuck result. Perhaps a second opinion would help set things straight. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Should tightening muscles always be part of an abdominoplasty

There is not 100% agreement among board certified plastic surgeons on this. I feel that it there is good muscle tone and shape--which is possible even after pregnancies and weight loss--then suturing the muscles is not indicated and can cause problems particularly with bleeding into the muscles and longer recuperation. More is not necessarily better. But then I am an "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" person. Your surgeon is in the best position during surgery to judge the... more

Tightening Probably Necessary

Congratulations on the weight loss! In my experience, patients with weight loss of 100 pounds with a history of full term pregnancies will have some stretch of the muscles. I would agree that examination is very important and you may not need it, but I would plan to tighten as a rule. You can request that he /she plan on tightening and not perform only if you are in good position on the table. Good Luck!

Muscle repair is almost always used in tummy tucks following pregnancy

With your history of 2 full term pregnancies and a 100 pound weight loss it would be highly unusual for you not to need a muscle repair concurrent with your tummy-tuck. I cannot remember ever not performing a muscle repair with your kind of scenario. I would suggets that you get a second opinion by another Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.