Can a tummy tuck with muscle tightening help with spondiolisthesis?

Question

I have spondiolisthesis L3 to L4. Have pain in lower back that goes down hamstring to each knee. I am in physical therapy & have learned to work the muscles that support my back. I will need a L3-L4 fusion. My neck has been fused twice. I can't exercise my abdominal muscles due to the stress on my back and see no other way to tighten them. I am disabled, will my Blue Cross insurance cover this expense? I am of normal weight and in good shape. I've had 3 c-sections, the last in 2006.

Joseph Mele, MD · Answer

The tummy tuck is a great operation. It tightens the abdominal wall muscles and removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdominal wall. It repairs the damage done to the abdominal wall after pregnancy and weight loss. The tummy tuck is not used to treat spondylolisthesis.Spondylolisthesis is a mechanical problem with the spine. While theoretically, moving the abdominal weight back toward the spine can reduce the torque on the back, it is not a recognized or recommended treatment, and would not be expected to help the underlying back problem.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mtrivas21,a tummy tuck probably won't affect your symptoms caused by spondilolysthesis. Regarding your health insurance, I would recommend you to check with them if they will cover your surgery. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Can a tummy tuck with muscle tightening help with spondiolisthesis?

Answers (2)