Will I permanently lose flexibility after tummy tuck? (photos)

Question

I'm and aerialist and will be getting a tummy tuck next week. I know I won't be able to stretch/workout for quite some time and will certainly take some steps back as far as my flexibility goes. But I was curious if it's possible for me to get back to my current level or if there will be permanent limitations due to the tightening of my skin and abdominal muscles?

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

OMG, I didn't realize the human body was that flexible!  What a great question.  
I personally have never run into this situation with such flexibility along with a surgery that, if done correctly, gives a great deal of tightness both of muscle and skin.  It would seem to me that your flexibility comes from both your vertebrae, your ribs, and probably other bony and muscle interactions such as hips.  I don't understand your area but I certainly do mine.
In a well done abdominoplasty, the correction of the rectus diastasis is done with suture that is replaced by scar tissue within 3 months.  Once this scar tissue has matured, it may not be quite as pliable and distendable as the muscle itself.  Also, the skin of the abdomen is normally connected to the skin of the anterior thigh and the remnant of the mons pubis by scar which acts as an anchor to hold the anterior thigh skin up and the abdominal skin pulled in a downward direction.  
Certainly, you understand that skin stretches since you had one or more pregnancies, and your abdominal skin adapted to the forces placed on it by the uterus by stretching out.  Muscles also adapt to forces placed on them.  Therefore, I believe your abdominoplasty, if given sufficient time to heal and mature, should allow you to regain most if not all of your flexibility since the flexibility actually came from the skeletal connections and not soft tissue.  
Obviously, I am way out on a limb here but I believe the same determination that allowed you to be such an incredibly flexible person, along with the skill and experience of your Board Certified plastic surgeon working together after surgery and during your recovery and post recovery periods should allow you to regain almost all, if not all, of your flexibility and having a great looking abdomen to boot.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear cflask,
you shouldn't be worried about skin flexibility. Even after tummy tuck your skin will adapt and it will regain its flexibility. However, you should go slow and avoid overstretching in early stages of recovery.  
I hope this was helpful,
Dr. Barrett,Beverly Hills, CA

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

That would probably be impossible to answer as scar is generally restrictive but becomes more mobile with time and activity.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello CFlask.I believe you will lose some flexibility and this may return some as you fully heal. However, your situation is pretty unique and not common. Use your plastic surgeon as a resource on what you can expect.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO :)

Milind K. Ambe, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  Well this is an unusual question for sure ;-).  In general after one year you should have no restrictions for any type of exercise or stretch so theoretically you should be back to doing whatever you want.  That being said it could take you a while before you are able to do above.  Best of luck to you

Daniel B. Kim, MD · Answer

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your super impressive photos! Most patients are able to return to normal activities and exercise, although your exercise is not quite normal. I dont think you will loose your flexibility, but it will definitely take some time before you are able to feel comfortable with specific movements. Congrats on your upcoming surgery and best of luck! Dr. Kim

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Understanding that your plastic surgeon (or online consultants) cannot make any promises, most patients are able to return to full activity (with full flexibility)  in the long-term, after tummy tuck surgery (I would not expect any permanent limitations).  Obviously (as you mentioned), it may be many months and even up to one year before you are able to achieve the flexibility you demonstrate in the photographs. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

It's very difficult to find surgeons with experience operating on aerialists so our answers are pure conjecture.   Most if not nearly all patients benefit from tightening of the muscle fascia and this of course results in greater flattening of the stomach.  I would expect you to be able to return eventually to your level of flexibility but without practical case experience it's difficult to be certain.  Good luck and enjoy your results.
Jon A Perlman MD FACS 
  
Certified, Am Board of Plastic Surgery 
  
Member, Am. Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)     
  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
  
Beverly Hills, Ca

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Wow, that's very impressive. I don't think you would lose that flexibility with skin tightening, although it may take several months to get it back. I would worry that a well done tightening of the muscles may cause permanent loss of that degree of backbend. I could be wrong, but if I am not you may permanently lose an activity you enjoy. Tightening the muscles isn't always necessary and we skip that step on several patients a year based on multiple individual reasons.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

He certainly will lose the extreme flexibility that you have now for most likely several months after your tummy tuck.  However the skin tends to stretch and my suspicion, if no muscle work is done that she may be able to regain flexibility.

Will I permanently lose flexibility after tummy tuck? (photos)

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