When Stomach Muscles Are Stitched Together, What is Used, is It Strong and Holds Up Long?

The rectus muscles, that you see as a "six-pack" in body builders, typically get pushed apart during pregnancy (called a diastasis.) Because the direction of contraction of the muscles is up and down, not sideways, they cannot be pulled together with exercise which is why they are repaired with a tummy tuck. This repair does not involve cutting the muscles, or even putting the stiches into the muscle. They are encased in a tough lining called fascia, which holds the sutures. After the repair is done the body has to heal it just like with a hernia repair. So in the long-term, it is your own tissue that supports the repair regardless of the sutures. However, we use permanent suture material just to make sure that it holds up long enough for strong healing.

Many people use the term "muscle tightening" when referring to a full tummy tuck / abdominoplasty.  What is actually happening is a rectus diastasis repair.  This means that the fascia between the muscles is sewn together.  Usually a permanent sutures such as Nylon is used.  In my patients I do two to three layers of sutures to create a very strong plication (attachment).  I hope this answer is helpful.

 

Good Luck.

Preference for suture material varies depending on the surgeon- some using absorbable sutures and others permanent sutures. Various suturing techniques are also employed, some using continuous sutures while others using separate or interrupted suture. As long as the grade of suture material is thick enough the technique may not matter, although my personal preference is interrupted permanent suture for the most secure closure. Whatever technique is utilized it is most important that during the post operative period heavy lifting or significant exercise that could potentially disrupt the repair be avoided for 6 to 8 weeks.

It is more of a "realignment" of the muscles.  They are not cut.  They are not even exposed.  The sheath around the rectus muscles is sewn together in the midline, correcting the bowing of these muscles that occurs after pregnancy or weight gain.  The sutures need to hold the tissues together long enough for them to scar together.  Then the sutures are not really necessary.  Many surgeons (myself included) use permanent sutures out of an abundance of caution, to make sure that the muscles are held together long enough for this bond to take place (two months should be adequate).  However, absorbable sutures probably stay around long enough too.  The muscle repair is one of the gratifying benefits of a tummy tuck.

In a tummy tuck, the tummy muscles are stitched together with strong, permanent suture.  The muscles themselves are left alone, and the fasica, or outer covering of the tummy muscles, are where the sutures are placed to tighten the stomach muscles.

 

Typically the suture is permanent, meaning that the suture material won't dissolve.  Also, 2 or even 3 sutures are used, so that even if 1 suture fails, the other ones will hold the stomach muscles together.  The material and the number of sutures should give you a lifetime ot tightness and support.