Typically, is the abdominal fascia cut during a c-section? If so, can it be repaired during a tummy tuck?

Question

I have a "shelf" of skin directly above my c-section & from what I understand it is a result of muscles being cut from surgery, and internal adhesions from scar tissue. Can this be repaired w/a full tummy tuck? Im 5' & 110 lbs.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry,  and you are correct the muscle and fascia can be repaired at the time of a tummy tuck, hope that helps,  best of luck.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  A tummy tuck can be designed to repair the fascia.  Scar tissue can also be removed during a tummy tuck.  If you are an appropriate candidate for a tummy tuck, this can be done through a low and short
incision, all completely below the bikini line. 
The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on
the exterior.   Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Emile Brown, MD · Answer

It is difficult to say for sure without seeing a picture, but it sounds like the deformity you are describing is because of scarring underneath the skin. This results in tethering of the skin to the underlying fascia and a depressed (or indented) looking scar. This is very common after a c section.
During a full tummy tuck, the previous c-section scar can usually be removed as part of the skin excision, which generally corrects this deformity.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Your understanding of the fascia being cut horizontally and the abdominal rectus muscles being separated from one another and moved to the side when a C-section is performed is correct.  Muscle tightening and diastasis repair would be part of your TT.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Ali Mosharrafa, MD · Answer

Yes this should be repairable during a tummy tuck procedure.
Adhesions can be part of any surgical procedure and can be addressed.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Ali Mosharrafa

Typically, is the abdominal fascia cut during a c-section? If so, can it be repaired during a tummy tuck?

Answers (5)