is Fascia tightening on the torso worth it?

Wingracie, it is difficult to determine how much you would benefit from muscle tightening without a proper exam. if you have significant diastasis with a bulging abdomen and are hoping to slim, tighten, and improve our waistline and you are ok with a longer recovery time then you would be a good candidate. I would recommend fascial tightening to a greater degree above your umbilicus than below if this is where it is loose. This is common after a DIEP flap if the fascia is simply closed and not plicated above and below. Hope this helps!

The most important part of a tummy tuck is the fascia tightening. The fascia tightening extends from xiphoid high all the way to the umbilicus and from the umbilicus down to the pubic bone. You may benefit from plication of the fascia from the top to bottom to increase the mechanical strength of the abdominal wall. Mesh can also be used to reinforce the fascia.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear Wingracie,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

You did not post photos, so I recommend meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon and being examined. Then, you can discuss your concerns and options.

The muscle tightening is what allows the patient to achieve that flat, tight tummy appearance. By tightening the whole abdomen, as long as it is indicated, it can provide a more uniform contour to the abdomen. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon. After an exam and discussion of your goals a personalized surgical plan can be developed for you.

The answer to your question depends on if your abdominal wall is bulging or not.
Without pictures we can’t even begin to make an assessment.
Do you have children?
Pregnancy history is paramount in assessing if someone has muscle separation requiring fascial tightening.
Different plastic surgeons approach closure after tram flap breast reconstruction differently based on skill, background, competence and style.
The best plastic surgeons view closing the abdomen as an aesthetic procedure making the most out of improving the torso as well as reconstructing the breast.
Try posting with before and after pictures. If you don’t have proper before and after pictures then ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
To find the right provider I suggest all patients consider having multiple in person consultations.
During each consultation ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show their entire collection of before and after pictures asking especially to see patients who have similar body characteristics to your own.
Seeing as many examples of results as possible will give you a general idea of what average results are most likely to look like especially with your individual candidacy for surgery.
In regards to specifically assessing the muscle wall it’s simply a matter of the abdominal wall contour.
A flat abdominal wall should create a B line between your sternum and your pubic bone.
In a natural upright relaxed standing position you can feel both your sternum and pubic bone then take your finger and gently pressed against your skin around your mid abdomen to feel where your muscle wallet is in reference to the other two landmarks.
This is muscle wild bulge out?
If so does it require a lot of pressure to push it flat? does it go flat when you lay on your back?
Bulging abdominal wall can be the indication of muscle separation or visceral fat and the two need to be differentiated.
Without seeing pictures it’s a bit pointless in continuing the discussion further.
Find the right plastic surgeon and everything falls into place.
When in doubt slow down and schedule more consultations.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD