I am 67 year old female with chronic back and hip pain. I have a big, flabby tummy from having 5 children and poor exercise habits. My back pain is getting so much worse and I don't sleep much because of pain (I refuse dependence on ibuprofen). I get backache relief when I use a corset or brace so I am thinking a Tummy Tuck would help. Although I have no major health concerns, is my age going to be a concern? I have tried cortisone/steroid shots to no avail.
August 19, 2017
Answer: Would Getting TT Help With Chronic Hip & Back Pain? Thank you for this excellent question. It needs to be answered carefully and thoughtfully.First and foremost, cosmetic plastic surgeons engage in surgery that improves one's appearance, thereby improving one's self esteem. Often there is a functional byproduct to these surgeries, but the functional improvement is an incidental byproduct but not what any surgeon would promise. For instance, many plastic surgeons will harvest cartilage from the septum of the nose to use in beautifying the nose. However, the removal of the septal cartilage often improves one's breathing. There was a study done several years ago in Texas which showed that 23 out of 24 women having tummy tucks had a decrease or elimination of low back pain. The repair of the rectus diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles) gives a balance to one's core leading to decreased strain on the lower back muscles. Therefore, abdominoplasties, in my experience, very often decrease low back pain in post pregnancy females, but this should never be the reason one has the surgery since there are no guarantees.Depending on your health, 67 years old is certainly not too old to have a tummy tuck for aesthetic reasons. If you were my patient, I would recommend a complete workup to eliminate other treatable causes of your hip and back pain. Once other treatable problems are eliminated, I would discuss with you the benefits of a tummy tuck but make no promises as to the ability of the TT to eliminate your musculoskeletal problems.The TT will correct your "flabby tummy", improve your appearance, and help strengthen your core leading to an increased ability to exercise which may have a salutary effect on your musculoskeletal pains.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 19, 2017
Answer: Would Getting TT Help With Chronic Hip & Back Pain? Thank you for this excellent question. It needs to be answered carefully and thoughtfully.First and foremost, cosmetic plastic surgeons engage in surgery that improves one's appearance, thereby improving one's self esteem. Often there is a functional byproduct to these surgeries, but the functional improvement is an incidental byproduct but not what any surgeon would promise. For instance, many plastic surgeons will harvest cartilage from the septum of the nose to use in beautifying the nose. However, the removal of the septal cartilage often improves one's breathing. There was a study done several years ago in Texas which showed that 23 out of 24 women having tummy tucks had a decrease or elimination of low back pain. The repair of the rectus diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles) gives a balance to one's core leading to decreased strain on the lower back muscles. Therefore, abdominoplasties, in my experience, very often decrease low back pain in post pregnancy females, but this should never be the reason one has the surgery since there are no guarantees.Depending on your health, 67 years old is certainly not too old to have a tummy tuck for aesthetic reasons. If you were my patient, I would recommend a complete workup to eliminate other treatable causes of your hip and back pain. Once other treatable problems are eliminated, I would discuss with you the benefits of a tummy tuck but make no promises as to the ability of the TT to eliminate your musculoskeletal problems.The TT will correct your "flabby tummy", improve your appearance, and help strengthen your core leading to an increased ability to exercise which may have a salutary effect on your musculoskeletal pains.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 19, 2017
Answer: Tummy tuck and back pain Dear ebebryan,your age should not be a problem unless you have some serious problems. Tummy tuck will remove the excess skin which might reduce the pressure on your lower back and hips and relieve the pain but it is hard to predict. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. You will get the best recommendations after a thorough examination.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 19, 2017
Answer: Tummy tuck and back pain Dear ebebryan,your age should not be a problem unless you have some serious problems. Tummy tuck will remove the excess skin which might reduce the pressure on your lower back and hips and relieve the pain but it is hard to predict. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. You will get the best recommendations after a thorough examination.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
