Can You Fix Abdominal Separation Without Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had 2 children, I am only 110 pounds but I have a small bulge below my belly button, I do have abdominal separation but not much extra skin. I am wondering if there's a way to repair this without surgery or if you can get surgery to fix only abdominal separation and how this works and what the results would be, scar etc. I also have non coloured stretchmarks but hoping that with my separation fixed they would look tighter. For I cannot afford a tummy tuck and do not like the scar. Thank you!

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	This problem would always require surgery- but if you truly do not have enough skin excess to require an abdominoplasty (this could only be determined through a careful exam), modification of the technique IS possible, with repair of these muscles and either no, or minimal skin tightening.

	You need to find a surgeon experienced in these techniques- Here's some advice on how to do so:

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Muscle separation can be corrected without a tummy tuck. The procedure would follow similar steps as a tummy tuck, but it would be less invasive because there would be no skin/fat removal. The resulting scar would also be shorter, most likely.Your stretch marks may not be as positively affected by the surgery as you hope, however there are nonsurgical treatments that can minimize their appearance to a certain extent.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

A tummy tuck doesn't have to remove a lot of skin. It can just tighten muscles that have been pulled apart after pregnancy, and this way the scar is very minimal. Unfortunately, there really is no good way to fix muscle separation without surgery. However, a mini-tummy tuck might be perfect for you with its small scar and ability to fix abdominal bulges.

Richard Greco, MD · Answer

One must evaluate what the cause of the bulge is. If it is fat - liposuction can work. If it muscle seperation. One will require a tightening of the abdominal wall fascia. This can be performed through a small transverse 3 - 4 cm incision above the pubic bone area ( in the c - section scar region). Let your board certified plastic surgeon evaluate your abdomen, and he will help guide you as the best way to help you. www. plasticsurgery.org

Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD · Answer

Diastasis recti (separation of the rectus abdominis muscles) is very common after pregnancy.  This condition can only be fixed with surgery, and smaller incisions than the tummy tuck scar you are referring to can be used in appropriate situations.  Some patients also have excess skin after pregnancy, making a full tummy tuck the best operation to correct both problems simultaneously.  However, other patients have separation of the muscles but little to no excess skin.  In patients with minimal to no excess skin, tightening the muscles in the midline can be performed without a full tummy tuck.  I would recommend an in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon so that a thorough physical examination can be performed and more specific recommendations made.  Best of luck.
Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD

Can You Fix Abdominal Separation Without Tummy Tuck?

Answers (9)