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What's the Best Procedure for my Huge Stomach?

I have had only one child via c-section and she is now 2. I cannot get rid of my huge stomach. People think I am about 7 months pregnant. Someone told my i could have a split muscle problem. I am not overweight but my stomach is disproportionate against the rest of my body. Any advice would be appreciated.

Asked 36 months ago by Lara-Michelle in South Africa

Abdominoplasty helps improve abdominal bulge after pregnancy

Abdominoplasty procedures are perfect for enhancing abdominal contour and bulging after pregnancy or with normal aging. The procedure is more commonly performed in women as opposed to men because of the effects of pregnancy on the abdomen. Abdominoplasty procedures are recommended for women who complain of abdominal bulging in the infra or supraumbilical abdominal wall. The two goals of abdominoplasty are to remove excessive fat and skin from the lower abdomen and to tighten the abdominal... more

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty after pregnancy

Thanks for the question. The situation you're describing is extremely common after pregnancy. Your rectus muscles can be stretched laterally and there may be excess skin and soft tissue over your abdomen which can be very difficult to remove. Your guidelines to having a good result (in addition to being in general good health) include being close to your ideal bodyweight. This means that your body mass index should be in the mid-20 range. This will insure maximum benefit from the surgery... more

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Pregnant appearing belly and NOT pregnant: what to do?

There may be several reasons for your "full" appearing belly. After pregnancy, it could be due to lax or separated muscles. I would highly recommend undertaking a core strengthening regimen as practiced in Pilates or Yoga. Intra-abdominal fat may be one of the most difficult to control and will respond best to weight loss, Excess skin and subcutaneous fat as well as separated muscles are managed with a tummy tuck see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Correcting a "Huge Stomach" after Pregnancy

Your situation is extremely common. For a pregnancy to continue to full term, your uterus needs to grow from the size of a lime to that of a large watermelon in less than 7 months. The only way an abdomen can allow this rapid expansion to happen is by the creation / evolution of a built in crumple zone / pressure release zone of the 6 pack muscles which always separate in the midline allowing this growth. Once these Rectus Abdominus muscles are split, they WILL NOT come back... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Benefits of a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. They can address the loose muscle in the abdominal wall that is common after woman has given birth. Tummy tucks can also remove excess fat and stretch marks below the belly button. In our practice, we always perform liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck to help contour the abdomen and create a toned appearance. In your case, you already have a scar in your lower abdomen from your C-section. This scar may... more

Doctor's Website

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Abdomen question

It sounds like you have a large diastasis and weakness of the muscles. You may be an excellent candidate for a full tummy tuck. Find a good plastic surgeon in your community.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

A tummy tuck would probably work great.

Lara-Michelle, The most important thing is to find a qualified plastic surgeon to examine you and give the ideal treatment. However, a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty would tighten muscle that has weakened over the years and remove excess skin to produce a dramatic improvement you should be happy with. Good luck. Dr. Cuber

Shain A. Cuber, MD

Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Diet, exercise and tummy tuck

A combination of weight loss and exercise will get you ready for the tummy tuck procedure. The tummy tuck will get rid of the excess skin and fat from the belly button downward to the c-section scar. It will also tighten your muscles and make the abdomen nice and tight.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck

Lara-Michelle I would recommend a standard abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). This operation, removes the excess skin and fat and tightens the muscle layer. You should make an appointment with a Plastic Surgeon to go over the surgical options, risks and benefits.

Daniel Reichner, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Have consultations to help decide if Tummy Tuck is for you

Lara-Michelle: Your story is a really common one among our patients. Pregnancy changes muscles, fibrous support, body fat and skin. It is true that dieting and exercise can restore some of these, but that doesn't happen for many women. If not then you can consider surgery. Liposuction alone would be best if the other layers I mentioned are satisfactory. If deeper layers are weak or loose, or if skin is lax, then abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is likely the answer. If internal organ... more

Sutton Graham II, MD

Greenville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Problem can be corrected with an Abdominoplasty.

Lara-Michelle an Abominoplasty would remove the excess skin, and tighten your weakened muscles. At the same time liposuction can be perfromed to help improve the overall contour of your hips, flanks and abdomen. Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do with diet and exercise.

Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

See a doctor

There are several reasons for the problem: 1. excess fat; 2. weakened and separated abdominal muscles; 3. too much fat inside the abdomen; 4. an enlarged or swollen uterus; Go to your docotor to determine which is your reason and the treatment will follow.

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Abdominoplasty with rectus muscle plication after weight loss can help

Dear Lara-Michelle, What a nice picture, your daughter is a blessing. If you have split abdominal muscles and excess skin and fat above your C-section scar, an abdominoplasty can help reduce the size of your tummy. During the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, the surgeon will plicate or suture the muscles together to help hold your intestines in and reduce the fullness of your abdomen. It is extremely important, if you are going to get the best abdominoplasty or tummy tuck result, that you be at... more

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Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

You probably have a wide separation of the rectus muscles (diastasis)

To Lara-Michelle, Hi! If you are sure you are not having any more children, then you should have an abdominoplasty. I see this "pregnant" look commonly, and it can be reliably corrected. It is not quite a "split muscle"; just a separation of the muscles. The abdominoplasty can also take care of any excess skin and fat. Some women can fit their whole hand into this separation of the muscles when they are lying down.