Could the muscles have separated after a tummy tuck a couple of years ago? (photo)

Would need to examine you to know for sure. It does happen that either the muscle stretch out or the repair separate

Dear NewYorkSamantha,
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

Recurrent muscle separation is possible because of several reasons after tummy tuck surgery. but its not possible to be sure on photos or video. you need a full physical examination by a profession

During your tummy tuck, your muscles were tightened. Sometimes the repair becomes undone in a certain area and that area can bulge out, you would need another procedure to go back in and re-tighten or reinforce that area. Hope this helps!

Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

The muscles will separate slightly with increased intra-abdominal pressure after a tummy tuck but this is fairly slight in comparison to how tight most plastic surgeons do muscle tightening.

The biggest reason patients believe they have abdominal muscle laxity after having a tummy tuck is because of increased visceral fat. I’m not sure if that’s the case for you. It typically would not present with exercise the way you described.

In some patients the rectus muscles get buried or partially buried in an attempt to do extreme muscle tightening.

Regardless, there probably isn’t much to do about it at this point.

I’m not sure if anyone can give you a truly accurate answer to what your concern is.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD