Do I need a tummy tuck after having 4 kids? (Photo)

Thank you for your question regarding whether you need a tummy tuck after having four kids and whether you have rectus diastasis. By definition, rectus diastasis is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles by 2.7 centimeters or more. From your pictures, you do not have rectus diastasis. Instead, you have muscle laxity, which means the muscle stretches. This is due to your pregnancies. It is also from the increased size of your perennial cavity. You have some excess skin and fat, but your primary problem is muscle weakness; therefore, I highly suggest a tummy tuck. Liposuction will not fix this problem. During your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure, an incision is made low in the pubic region. Tissue is dissected to the umbilicus and the sternum. The rectus is then plicated, imbricated, strengthened, and flattened by suturing the muscle from the sternum to the pubic region. The second layer of sutures is placed on top of this. Then excess skin and fat are removed, and the belly button is reconstructed. Therefore, I would highly suggest you undergo a tummy tuck. I hope this helps answer your question regarding whether you need a tummy tuck after four pregnancies.
If you have any more questions regarding reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss, please contact my office. Reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss include an abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast lift, mastopexy, arm lift, brachioplasty, torsoplasty, back lift, buttock augmentation, and buttock lift. Since these reconstructive surgeries after massive weight loss, are big procedures, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 of each procedure you are considering for reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss. Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.

yes, you may need a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin in combination with muscle diastasis repair to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.

Hello and thank you for your question.
Based on your photos, you appear to be a good candidate for 360 liposuction which will help create a beautiful hourglass shape for you. It does't appear that you have enough excess skin for a full tummy tuck, however, it's difficult to tell based only on the photos.
During tummy tuck, the excess skin below the belly button is removed and the recuts (abs) muscle are tightened in order to achieve a flat abdominal contour.
I would recommend to obtain an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to further discuss your options and expectations.
I hope this helps.Best, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hello,Thank you for uploading your pictures. Do you need a tummy tuck? Only you can answer that question. Are you happy with your current stomach? Does it bother you? If it does, and if you want a flat stomach a tummy tuck might be recommended. It appears you have diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscle) due to your different pregnancies. A tummy tuck with muscle repair will help reduce tighten the muscle and flatten your stomach.

Easiest way to know is if you bear down and it bulges out. Most likely with 4 children the muscles have separated. To fix this a tummy tuck is the best option to repair the muscle and remove any excess skin.

Thank you for your question about having a tummy tuck after kids.

It is best to wait to have a tummy tuck after you are no longer wanting to have more kids.

By definition, women have diastssis recti after 2 or more pregnancies. An in person consultation and evaluation by two or more board certified experienced plastic surgeons would give realistic expectations if you were to undergo a tummy tuck.

Hope this helps!

If you are not planning 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.

Hi there! Thanks for your question! I think you would certainly benefit from an abdominoplasty with muscle repair. After childbirth your abdominal muscles split apart and no matter how much you workout your core they aren't able to get as tight as they once were before! Diastasis recti repair surgery is the best method to treat split tummy muscles. I recommended a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Thank you Kaybs for your question. Looking at the photos you have provided it does look like you would be a great candidate for a tummy tuck. After having children women tend to develop diastasis of the abdominal wall muscles. During a tummy tuck your Surgeon will tighten up the abdominal wall muscles and remove the extra skin. I typically recommend my patients to go on a low carb diet and increase exercise to help break down the intra abdominal fat. This particular fat is fat deep down under the muscle that we can't take care of. I would suggest making an in person consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your options and questions. Best of luck !

Dear kaybs,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery