How to get a flat tummy after 2 kids via c-section? (Photo)

Question

I’m interested in getting Rid of my protruding tummy. I’ve had 2 kids via c section and the photo I’ve included is of my tummy at its best (lowest body fat and lots of exercise). I can’t figure out why it looks like I have a vertical line of fat covering my abdomen. It drives me nuts and makes clothes fit weirdly. I also have flared ribs (all my life) so maybe that’s contributing? Can someone tell me what’s going on here and what can be done?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @amparso thank you for your question. From your photo I see the you have some excess skin and muscle laxity. A tummy tuck with anatomical plication would give you the results you want, a flat abdomen. I link a video to shed more light. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Considering your history from your pictures, you have a weakening of the abdominal muscle. It does not appear that you have a significant amount of excess skin. Therefore, your muscles need to be repaired. The only way to repair the muscle is with surgery, specifically a tummy tuck, to include rectus abdominus plication. During rectus abdominus plication, permanent sutures are used to plicate or bring together the anterior abdominal wall. These include sutures from the bottom of the sternum to the top of the pubic region. The result is that the abdominal wall is pushing in onto itself. The result is a flatter abdomen. Liposuction will not fix your abdominal problem. It is a muscle problem, not a skin and fat problem. Please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in interior abdominal wall plication, specifically, muscle plication. Please be sure that your choice plastic surgeon uses permanent sutures or your results will return to normal once your suture has dissolved. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your abdomen after two kids via c-section.

I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 tummy tuck or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos you will achieve good results with a full tummy tuck combined with intense liposuction including abdomen, waist, and laterals to improve your body contour and get better curves, especially in your waist area.

Kind regards,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Kind regards,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear amparso, thanks for sharing your concern and picture. I rather suggest Vaser Liposuction it provides high skin retraction and high definition and tummy tuck. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks! Dr. Luis Mejia.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear amparso,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because 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

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You need to be examined to be sure, but I suspect your muscles are weak and are protruding. This can be fixed with a tummy tuck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Abdominal wall laxity is common after pregnancy.  The muscles stretch out to accommodate the growing baby, but do not completely return to their previous condition after pregnancy.  A tummy tuck can correct this and help you regain the flatter, tighter abdomen you had prior to pregnancy.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

You do present within an usual shaped abdomen. My first question would be if your abdomen looked this way or partially look this way before your first pregnancy.

If it’s pregnancy related changes then most likely it is all related to muscle separation and should be completely corrected with a properly done tummy tuck.

As you mentioned it may be related to the shape of your rib cage especially the relationship with your rib cage to your pelvic structure.

A tight muscle while creates a B-line between the lower rib cage and the pelvis and the relationship between these two structures has a lot to do with how the abdominal wall looks.

Most likely muscle tightening as part of a well done tummy tuck will at least give partial improvements. My best guess is your abdominal contour it’s related to strong tight lateral abdominal muscles (obliques ) with midline muscle separation of your rectus abdominis muscles.

I recommend having multiple in person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons at which point you can get a better assessment and better understanding of what can and cannot be achieved from the procedure. Discuss your specific concerns in detail at that time.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

How to get a flat tummy after 2 kids via c-section? (Photo)

Answers (8)

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