What is a Tummy Tuck with plication, and do I need one? (Photo)

Question

I am looking into getting a tummy tuck because of the fold of skin and fat at the bottom of my stomach after having 3 children via c-section, but am wondering why my stomach pokes out so much above my bellybutton? It is rather hard as compared to the 'flab' below and even though i have recently lost 30kgs, this protruding stomach has remained. I have done a small amount of research and found one other case like mine and she required a plication (?)....wondering if i would benefit from the same. Thank you.

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you need a tummy tuck with plication of the muscle.  There is no other surgery that will be appropriate in your situation.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Tummy tucks combine the removal of extra skin, fat and tighten the weakened abdominal muscles. The tightening of the muscles is called "plication". Nearly all women who have had children can benefit from the muscle plication. It will tighten and firm up the bulge. This can be better explained whenyou go for your consultations. Good luck.

Christopher J. Morea, MD · Answer

Plication is routinely done with a full tummy tuck.  This term refers to correcting the separation of the muscle layer which can occur following pregnancy or weight gain. You appear to be a good candidate for a full tummy tuck.  A tummy tuck removes excess fatty tissue, excess skin and can also improve the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen.Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon and explore your options.Best of luck,

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for the picture. Yes you would require a plication. Plication is simply a tightening of your abdominal muscles in an up-and-down manner from your breastbone to you pubic bone. This will improve the con our of your abdomen in addition to the removal of the excess skin and fat.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

A
tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is the operative procedure that reverses the
changes caused by childbearing, weight loss or aging by contouring excess fat,
removing the loose wrinkled skin, and usually tightening the stretched underlying
muscles of the abdomen by suturing (plicating) the layer of tissue over the muscle called
the fascia resulting in a flatter stomach and an improved waist. It can be
performed with or without liposuction of selected areas. Based on your photo but without examining you, a tummy tuck with muscle plication has the potential of producing a significant cosmetic improvement of your abdomen.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). If you live outside of the United States, the surgeon should
ideally be a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(ISAPS). You should discuss your concerns with that
surgeon in person.Robert
Singer, MD FACSLa
Jolla, California

Tim Papadopoulos, BSc, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Thanks for your question. A plication is simply the "lacing-up" of muscles (like you do with shoes or runners) in the midline of your tummy that have been separated due to pregnancies, weight gain etc. In your case, you would benefit from such a procedure along with removal of excess skin and fat ("abdominal apron"). This is what is termed a traditional abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). You may also need some contouring to the flanks and back with liposuction for the best results. This can be determined by a plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring. Good luck.

Johnny Chung, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Your photo shows you have excess skin and fat of the lower abd region. There also appears to be some laxity of your abdominal wall. I would recommend a full tummy tuck with plication of your muscle. Plication of the muscle entails suturing the muscle fascia together. The result of plication will give you a flatter smoother stomach.  I would also recommend limited Liposuction of the anterior Abdomen, lateral sides and flank region to give you an hourglass shape.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture. For the appropriately selected patient, the tummy tuck operation is a great operation that generally involves removal of "excess” skin and adipose tissue of the lower abdominal wall, re approximation of abdominal wall muscles that may have spread with pregnancy and/or weight gain/loss, and sometimes liposuction contouring of the abdominal wall/flank areas. Most patients who undergo tummy tuck surgery benefit from "plication";  this term simply refers to the re approximation of abdominal wall muscles mentioned above.Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight.   Select  your plastic surgeon carefully; ask to see lots of examples of his/her work.  Communicate your goals prior to surgery and make sure that you have a sense of realistic expectations as well. You may find the attached link, dedicated to tummy tuck surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Best wishes.

William C. Rigano, MD (retired) · Answer

if the upper abdomen is "hard" above your navel, you likely need muscle tightening/plication to flatten the muscle layer.There certainly is skin excess in the lower abdomen. A full tummy-tuck should give you a flatter contour.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Plication typically refers to suturing the split abdominal muscles back together during the course of a full abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.  In addition full tummy tuck will remove that extra flap of skin at the bottom of your abdomen.  Based on your history you may well need a plication but this will be determined during a consultation in person with a board certified plastic surgeon.

What is a Tummy Tuck with plication, and do I need one? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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