Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

Only Get 3 Weeks Off Work, Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair? (photo)

I'm a liric singer, and I cannot stay away from work more than three weeks! And I use my abdominal muscles to sing, so I NEED THEM totally healed when I go back to work. My doc says I don't have a huge separation between my belly muscles... But even so he suggested muscle repair. Well, that would elongate the healing time... and I really can't stay out of work for more than three weeks (at the most four weeks). Do you think I should do the tt even without mr? Thank you all in advance, rose

Tags:

female time off work without muscle repair

Comment on this

12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Rose93 in Brazil

Doctor Answers (12)
Community Comments (0)

Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair?

Dear Rose93, A tummy tuck is a wonderful way to flatten the tummy by removing extra skin and fat and tightening the stomach muscles. It is also often combined with liposuction for best results. For most patients, tightening the stomach muscles is an important part of the procedure in order to produce optimal results. After having the muscles tightened, most patients are required to refrain from any strenuous activities including lifting for about six weeks after surgery. As a... more

Tummy Tuck - Only Get 3 Weeks Off Work, Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair?

You may be a candidate, but I don't think you'll be happy. First of all, it is overwhelmingly likely that you would benefit from a muscle repair (MR). Then, you indicate that that's what your PS recommended. Put the two together, and I think you'll regret leaving that portion of the procedure out. And, even without that, there is no guarantee that you'll have perfect healing in three weeks. Three weeks should be enough time for most people to... more

Only Get 3 Wks Off Wrk, Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck W/out Muscle Repair?Answer:

I perform a muscle repair on almost every TT I do and I think it really completes the surgery and gives a much better result. Most patients are back to work at 3 weeks, albeit a little sore….And even if you use your abdominals at work, like it seems you do, you may be a bit uncomfortable but still be able to perform…

You might also like...

Real Stories

Tummy Tuck No Liposuction / Hoping for the Best! - Doylestown, PA

In March 2013 I started having pain in my left ovary. After much confusion and a no...

Before + After Photos

View 4315 Tummy Tuck photos

Tummy tuck without muscle.

As you can see, in this format, we can not really evaluate your specific situation. I suggest seeking a second opinion. Part of providing a reasonable result is meeting the patient expectations. If you have a limited time for healing, perhaps the improvement with out a muscle repair will be just fine for YOU. Perhaps, we doctors need to remember that what we do is not about our expectations only. We are here to advise and give alternatives.

Tummy tuck with or without muscle tightening

Thank you for your question. If you skip the muscle repair portion of the tummy tuck, you may get back to work on time, but you may end up not getting the best result you could have gotten. You may then be disappointed that you spent all that money, and the result is only partial improvement. I would follow your plastic surgeon's advice. However, if it doesn't bother you that it is only going to be partly better, then choose the limited operation knowing that it will be... more

Singers and tummy tuck

I have had one singer on whom I performed a tummy tuck with muscle plication. She did well and told me her singing was as good as or better after the procedure. Now, this might not be the case with your outcome. Generally if muscle tightening is done, the appearance is better for lax abdominal walls. It is unusual for full abdominoplasties to do without the muscle plication. No surgeon can guarantee that the procedure will not affect your singing. The down time is certainly something to... more

Tummy Tuck without Muscle Plication

Thank you for the question and pictures. I would agree with the plastic surgeon you have seen. Muscle plication will likely give you a superior result after your tummy tuck surgery. I would suggest that you postpone surgery until you have enough time for recovery and do an operation that will give you the best results possible. Keep in mind that muscle plication may temporarily change the dynamics of your singing (will change the abdominal wall muscle... more

Return to work after TT/MR

If your surgeon recommends a muscle repair along with the tummy tuck, you should do both to get the best possible result. You should be able to perform in 3-4 weeks. Suggest that he/she uses a pain pump because that can help break the pain cycle and get you back to your activities more quickly.

Only Get 3 Weeks Off Work, Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair? (photo)

Thanks for the photos posted! I recommend a full tummy tuck with muscle repair. 3 weeks should be enough healing time but there are always unforseen risks no matter what.

Only Get 3 Weeks Off Work, Am I a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair? (photo)

Your plastic surgeon has had a much better look at you than I or my RealSelf colleagues. If he has suggested a muscle repair, then you should have one if you want the best result. If you don't have the muscle repair you are sure to regret this if the result doesn't meet your expectations. You don't mention whether you sing professionally. If you do then you should consider postponing your surgery until you have at least 6 weeks to recover. Good luck! more

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

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.