Does every tummy tuck come with muscle repair?

Rectus diastasis can only be repaired with tummy tuck surgery. A full tummy tuck most often includes muscle repair, and it is performed at the time of surgery. A mini tummy tuck does not include muscle repair. Whether a full or mini tummy tuck would be best for you can be determined after an examination. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon regarding his or her recommended plan for you. Good luck!

Most traditional tummy tuck surgeries include plication of the rectus abdominus muscles. The "muscle repair" tends to significantly improve the contouring results for most patients. There are a few exceptions in my practice. There are some men who do not seem to require the muscle plication and some women who have not have children that may not absolutely need to tighten the rectus muscles. But most patients will benefit from it and is typically assumed to be part of the procedure. Most mini-tummy tuck procedures do not have a complete muscle repair. 

Thank you for your question. 

The short answer is "no".  There are different variations of the traditional Tummy Tuck.  In some cases no muscle will need repair, just redundant skin will be removed. When you have a physical examination with your plastic surgeon, he or she will suggest what will be the best option to give you the optimal result.

All the best to you

The simple answer is that most patients needing a tummy tuck have a degree of muscle separation (diastasis) that should be repaired, but there are some that do not. It is usually related to pregnancy, so weight loss patients without prior pregnancy are less likely to need it. Sometimes it is only the lower muscles that separate, and if there is a C-section then they might repaired as part of the routine closure. Overall I do a muscle repair in about 90% of patients but if it is not needed then the recovery is quicker.

Patients that have had children and wish to have a Tummy tuck will have the muscles tightened and the excess skin removed.  If a patient is only wanting to have the skin excised and not the muscles repaired this would be referred to as a Mini Tummy Tuck.  Visiting with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that can examine and advise you on the procedure and what would give you the result and outcome you are looking for. Good luck.