Is muscle repair standard with a Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for your question. I include repair of the abdominal muscles as part of a standard tummy tuck procedure. Women who have been pregnant or anyone who has fluctuated in weight can develop what’s known as diastasis recti, or abdominal muscle separation. Therefore, restoring the midsection requires resolving this muscle separation. However, it’s important to keep an open dialogue with your plastic surgeon and communicate any of your needs or concerns. I suggest clarifying with your surgeon that you’re interested in muscle repair. Good luck!

This is such a great question! Not all people have what is called a diastasis. In pregnant or postpartum women, this condition is caused by the stretching of the rectus abdominis by the growing uterus. Women are more susceptible to develop diastasis recti when over the age of 35, high birth weight of child, multiple birth pregnancy, and multiple pregnancies. Plication of the diastasis is part of the Tummy Tuck. I personnally have had patients in the past ask for the plication to be skipped because they wanted a faster recovery. Although in my OR this is a standard practice of the Tummy Tuck!To get the best results sewing the abdominal wall will give you the best results! A smaller and flatter stomach!

You will need to have an examination to determine, but both can be
addressed at the same time as a tummy tuck procedure.  I hope this helps.

Most, but not all patients will achieve a superior result from a tummy tuck if the muscle repair is performed. The benefit of a muscle repair and whether this will be performed should be clarified with your surgeon when scheduling the operation. 

Most patients seeking a Tummy Tuck have either had pregnancies or significant weight-loss. Pregnancies can definitely cause separation of the abdominal muscles.  Often, weight-loss does as well.  Therefore, most of the time, muscle repair is performed at the time of a Tummy Tuck. Dr. B.

Yes, muscle repair (plication) is fairly standard when it comes to a tummy tuck. Some patients benefit more from the muscle plication depending on the number of pregnancies they may have had. Discuss this in detail with you plastic surgeon prior to surgery.
Best wishes,
Dr.Bruno

Thank you for your question. With most patients who are pursuing a tummy tuck for abdominal contouring, there is significant diastasis of the rectus muscles which requires a suture repair. I consider this a standard part of an abdominoplasty as there are very few patients who would not benefit from this at the time of surgery. I would also assume that most other surgeons are including this in the procedure. However, just to be safe, once you have chosen your ABPS-certified surgeon to perform your procedure, you can always ask him or her specifically about this to remove any confusion.Best of luck!

If you have a muscle separation, then the repair should be a routine part of your tummy tuck. There are some patients who don't need it, but this is a detail that you should clarify with the surgeon you choose.

While it is impossible to say that absolutely every tummy tuck requires or includes a repair of the separated rectus muscles, in general, the pregnancy that stretches out skin, also stretches the muscle layer causing rectus diastasis. When diastasis is present, it should be repaired.
You should absolutely ask this question of anyone you are considering having operate on you. In our office, the entire procedure is explained during the consultation and repair of the muscle as well as belly button location, location of the scar,, need for liposuction, etc are all discussed. Please make sure your surgeon is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and that you are comfortable asking whatever questions you may have about your procedure. The process of aesthetic surgery is a team project and you are part of the team. If you have doubts or do not know what to expect, your recovery willl be less smooth.

In general, the muscle is tightened whenever a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is performed.  It provides a benefit for almost every patients, and this is something I review with each patient on an individual basis. There are exceptions to every good rule; however, so be certain to discuss this with your chosen board certified plastic surgeon.