Could a Weak Abdomen Be Related to my Past? (photo)

Question

About 10 years ago (late teens/early 20's) I was bulimic. During my binges I would often eat the equivalent of 2 gallons or more of foodstuffs. However I have recovered and have been binge/purge-free since 2004. My weight is stable and I lead a healthy active lifestile. Could this be why my abdomen is so protrusive? Has my past stretched out the abdominal wall to the point of no return? Will a tummy tuck repaid the damage?

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You don't say whether you have had children, which could cause the bulging abdomen.  Weight fluctuation could certainly have caused muscle weakness in your case, but no way to be absolutely certain.  In any event, a tummy tuck with muscle repair can fix the situation.  However, you should wait if you are planning to have children in the future.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture;  congratulations on successfully defeating the eating disorder.  Given your description and  picture, it is possible that abdominal wall muscle diastasis  is responsible for the appearance of your abdomen.  This spreading of the muscle is usually related to significant weight gain/loss or is seen after pregnancy.

	 If diastasis  of the abdominal wall muscles is found ( on physical examination) to be the cause of the prominent abdomen,  then tummy tuck surgery may be indicated.

	 Generally speaking,  the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable,  has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her,  is capable of arranging enough recovery time and who has reached a long-term stable weight.

	Best wishes.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

This is a possibility. Usually this type of appearance is related to massive weight change or pregnancy, but it is easily imaginable that binging can contribute to your appearance. 

	Although a TT may well be a good treatment, your tissues appear so stretched out that I would consider using a kind of mesh, such as is used in complicated hernia repairs to supplement the tightening. That will decrease the chance of recurrence since your tissues might fail otherwise to maintain the repair that would be done.

	All the best.

Thomas A. Narsete, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for the question. Great job on beating a food disorder! Only the fat outside the abdominal muscles can be removed. Contact a plastic surgeon in your area for more specifics. A tummy tuck may give you the result you want. Dr Thomas Narsete Austin, Tx

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

It is possible that your abdominal wall stretched out from the distension of the eating disorder just as it could from pregnancy.  You should see some excellent plastic surgeons for an exam and thoughts on a tummy tuck repair of the muscles.

Could a Weak Abdomen Be Related to my Past? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Cosmetic Surgery is an Art and a Science

Answer: Cosmetic Surgery is an Art and a Science

Answer: Buldging abdomen

Answer: Buldging abdomen

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Could a Weak Abdomen Be Related to my Past? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Cosmetic Surgery is an Art and a Science

Answer: Cosmetic Surgery is an Art and a Science

Answer: Buldging abdomen

Answer: Buldging abdomen

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.