How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck? my Muscles Feel Tight?

Question

I am older and in good phyiscal shape and weight. Loose skin mostly below the bb, but def need bb revision of some sort. My abs feel really right and I have a flat stomach. Haven't had a child in 27 years. Is it possible to get good results from skin only tt? Thanks

Erez Sternberg, MD · Answer

This is a great question and one that I am asked quite often during consultations. In general, most patients would do better with a muscle plication (stitching the muscles together in the middle) in order to achieve a "corset" like tightening of the abdomen and sides.  This is especially true in a female with multiple gestation. That said, I have seen many women who truly have tight abdominal muscles and require only skin excision and belly button repair. This is easily achieved with a "skin only" tummy tuck and usually costs less than the standard tummy tuck.  Ask your board certified surgeon during the consultation to assess your abdominal wall tightness to determine the best procedure for you.

	  An easy test for you to try is to lay flat on your back with no shirt on and perform a half sit up.  Notice if there is a long bulge down the midline of your tummy.  If so, then you need a muscle repair to improve the results. If the tummy stays tight and strong, you likely won't need a repair. Hope this helps, good luck.

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

A muscle repair is not an absolute must during tummy tuck.  The best way to determine if you need the repair is to have your surgeon examine your abdominal muscles and feel if there is a space in between the muscles.

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Without seeing your picture it is hard to know. Most TT surgery plicates the muscle in the center to restore it back to its natural position. Often with pregnancy and age the muscle will splay to the side. The diastasis repair reorients the muscle centrally and provides a stronger/flatter abdominal wall. Skin only TT can be done in the patient with exceptional tone and musculature. Every person is unique and it is important to disucss this with a Board Certified surgeon. Best of Luck!

Jeffrey Rockmore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is possible to get a nice result with a tummy tuck without tightening the rectus muscles in the right person. Patient selection is the key, as the muscles need to be tight and toned, and without the separation that is the result of pregnancies in many cases.

	The goal of tightening the rectus muscles is to provide a flat, tight foundation that the skin can then be tightened over. This can help restore the waist line and remove the lower belly laxity that some women have. If you have neither of these issues, and skin laxity alone is the problem, then you may be a candidate for a skin only tummy tuck. This will dramatically reduce the recovery time.

	The best way to determine the specific options for your belly is through a full consultation. At that time, your plastic surgeon can examine your belly and discuss the options with you.

	Best of luck with your belly.

	Jeff Rockmore

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

If a lax and  protruding abdominal wall is part of the problem, some muscle repair is needed for best outcome. 

	If the abdominal wall is solid, and there is no separation of the rectus muscles, you can expect a nice outcome with a skin only abdominoplasty. It is never too late. 

	When you are ready for an in person consultation, RealSelf has listings of surgeons in your area. You should consider cross referencing the listings from the The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery dot org). A listing in the ASPS website assures you that your surgeon is not only board certified,  but also is a member in good standing of the major plastic surgery organization in the U. S. Thank you for your question, best wishes.

How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck? my Muscles Feel Tight?

Answers (8)

Answer: Tummy Tuck without muscle tightening

Answer: Tummy Tuck without muscle tightening

Answer: How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck

Answer: How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck? my Muscles Feel Tight?

Answers (8)

Answer: Tummy Tuck without muscle tightening

Answer: Tummy Tuck without muscle tightening

Answer: How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck

Answer: How Do You Know if You Need Muscle Repair During a Tummy Tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.