Can you tighten your abs naturally to avoid Tummy Tuck? (photo)

If exercise could accomplish what a tummy tuck does, plastic surgeons would recommend a gym membership instead of taking patients to the operating room! There are 3 things that a tummy tuck does that exercise and diet alone cannot: 1. Exercise cannot "spot reduce" fat. If your body has decided to place extra around the middle, there are no exercises that specifically target that fat. 2. Exercise cannot tighten skin, especially after it has been stretched from pregnancy. 3. If there is a separation of the abdominal muscles (called a diastasis) then exercise does not change that because the muscles are not oriented in a direction that pulls the separation together. What the tummy tuck does not do is overall weight loss, especially for internal fat, so do what you can with exercise and then do the tummy tuck.

During pregnancy your abdominal muscles are stretched quite a bit.  We call this myosfascial laxity. Additionally, it is very common to develop diastasis as well.  This refers to a gap between the two vertically oriented rectus abdominis muscles of your abdomen.  No matter how many situps you do, you will not be able to correct the diastasis (gap between the muscles) that you may have. Additionally, although exercise may help you lose some weight and strengthen your abdominal muscles, the laxity will also remain. Definitely meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to find out more!Thanks for sharing!

After pregnancy there is nothing wrong with the abdominal musculature. The connective tissue housing the muscles can become stretched. Exercise will not remedy this.

You can certainly accomplish a lot with diet and exercise. You can tighten your abdominal muscles and develop your gluteal muscles among other to give you a better shape. The part that is difficult to improve with exercise is the skin. If you have significant stretch marks and excess skin, it is very difficult to improve this with exercise. This is where surgery is beneficial. 

A commitment to exercise and subsequent weight loss can sometimes reshape a woman's body following childbirth.  Exercise, however, cannot reverse stretch marks, excessive loose skin, or diastasis of the rectus muscle.  Most women who schedule consultations for tummy tuck are bothered by a combination of loose skin, stretch marks and muscle separation that require surgical correction.I would advise you to begin by exercising and lose as much weight as possible. If you desire further changes to your shape then schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the Aesthetic Society.Best of luck,

Hi Bibianna92,Thank you for your pictures and questions. Based on the pictures you have submitted it looks as if you would be a good candidate for a full tummy tuck. I suggest you visit with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss your options and goals. Best of luck!

If the appearance of your abdomen concerns you enough, it can be cosmetically improved with a tummy tuck.There are a variety of surgical procedures or combinations that can produce good results in patients with abdominal laxity, depending on multiple factors including their anatomy and degree of desired improvement: A mini tummy tuck, an umbilical float modified tummy tuck, a full abdominoplasty. Each of these can be performed with or without liposuction and with or without abdominal muscle repair. They produce different degrees of improvement. While diet, exercise and a healthy life style are important overall they will not achieve want you desire. There is no reliable replacement for the surgical procedures.Following the advice of anyone who would presume to tell you what to do based on two dimensional photos without taking a full medical history, examining you, feeling and assessing your tissue tone, discussing your desired outcome and fully informing you about the pros and cons of each option would not be in your best interest. Find a plastic surgeon that you are comfortable with and one that you trust and listen to his or her advice. The surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California

Exercise will only help you. You will still likely need a full tummy tuck to get your ideal figure back. Good luck. 

NO! You need a full Tummy Tuck with MR repair + liposuction. Best to seek IN PERSON opinions...Good Luck.  

Thank you for the question and picture. With a strict diet and exercise program, it is likely that you will be able to improve your situation significantly. However, do not be surprised (despite best efforts) if some amount of “excess” skin and/or abdominal wall laxity remains. The excess/redundant skin and abdominal wall muscle laxity (diastasis recti) are best addressed the tummy tuck surgery, if they remain a concern long-term. You may find the attached link helpful to you as you learn more about options. Best wishes.