Female, 27, 2 children. Would a tummy tuck be my best option? (Photos)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Some of your symptoms are unlikely to be related to the excess skin/fat but this operating may help support your core.

The combination of pregnancy changes, significant weight fluctuation, and ongoing symptoms like back pain, constipation, and continence issues suggests more than just a cosmetic concern. Even though your ultrasound shows a 1.8 cm gap while lying down, the measurement can increase when standing, and functional weakness can still be present even with a smaller separation.
A tummy tuck with muscle repair addresses both the loose skin and the weakened abdominal wall. This can provide not only an aesthetic improvement but also improved core stability, which may help with back support and daily comfort. For some women with very small gaps, physiotherapy and core strengthening can be effective, but given your combination of symptoms and the skin laxity shown in your photos, surgery often provides the most comprehensive solution.
I have also shared a detailed video where I explain how tummy tuck with muscle repair can improve both the look and the function of the abdomen, with examples from patients in situations similar to yours.
— Güray Yesiladali, MD

Yes, definitely you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. This will not only help remove skin, but do muscle repair which is affected when the abdomen is distended due to the pregnancy and additionally because you fluctuate with your only successful way to give you the best outcome is through removal!

If loose skin, excess fat and abdominal muscle separation are issues you’d like to address, a full tummy tuck may be suitable for you. Other options, such as liposuction or nonsurgical modalities, may not be effective or achieve as predictable results.

Based on everything you’ve shared two close pregnancies, weight gain and loss, back pain, and a small diastasis it really does sound like a tummy tuck would help you a lot. Even if the gap isn’t huge, the loose skin, weakened core, and other symptoms you mentioned are all signs your body could benefit from the repair a tummy tuck offers.
You’ve waited years and done so much already this might be the right next step to feel strong and confident again.

Thank you for your question and photos. Based on these photos, a full tummy tuck with muscle plication and liposuction of the abdomen, rib cage, lateral chest wall, waist and hips will give you a younger looking more athletic abdomen. Even though the muscles separation seems to be minimal by ultrasound, your muscle fascia (the tough tissue covering the muscles) is stretched too. I do these surgeries in our office accredited surgical suite under deep intravenous sedation and not general anesthesia. See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.

Thank you for your inquiry! You have excess abdominal skin and separation of your diastasis recti muscle making you a great candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure. We would love to see you in person and help you reach your goals. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon like myself and we can create a surgical plan for you!

If you are not planning on future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement. The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Based on your history and photographs, a tummy tuck should improve your appearance and likely your back pain by tightening your loose rectus abdominus muscles, also known as diastasis recti. See a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss. Regarding your incontinence, best to see a urogynecologist to discuss options to improve that. Best of luck!

Hello,After evaluating your photos, I noticed some excess skin and fat around your abdomen. Following two pregnancies, it’s completely normal to experience muscle diastasis. However, it appears that your overall body weight is within a normal range.In my professional opinion, a tummy tuck with muscle repair would provide excellent results in terms of contour and core support. However, it’s important to note that this surgery will not address issues related to urinary incontinence — and in some cases, it could potentially worsen that condition.I strongly recommend consulting a gynecologist as well, to assess and address the incontinence issue appropriately.