Are the Ab Muscles Cut and Removed During a Tummy Tuck - or Simply Stitched Together?

Question

I was curious during the process of a tummy tuck, do you actually cut and remove part of the abdominal muscles or just the skin on top?

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Typically, the separated muscles, diastasis recti, are sutured together during tummy tuck. They are not cut or removed. The medical term for this is abdominal plication. I hope this helps.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Rest assured no muscles are cut or removed during a TT.. From either weight gain or pregnancies, the abdominal wall muscles get spread apart, so the abdomen bulges forward in spite of lots of toning excercises for the tummy. During a TT, the edges of the muscles are sutured together, to where they should be normally, so the foundation of the abdominal wall is tight, flat and smooth. The excess skin of the abdomen can now be pulled over this flat foundation and results in an improved abdominal contour.

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

We do not cut and sew the muscles but rather tighten the covering on top of them with stitches. It is that covering or fascia that gets stretched out with pregnancy or weight gain and is why all the sit-ups in the world don't help. The muscles can get stronger with exercise but the fascia can't be tightened!

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

The muscles are not cut, but are essentially pleated back together to pull the separated muscles closer together.  This is commonly done both above and below the belly button.

Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS · Answer

After pregnancy or even major changes in weight, the muscles of the abdomen can loosen, stretch, or move apart, During a tummy tuck we tighten the rectus muscles (the muscles that form the "6 pack") by stitching them together-- we don't cut them. This is a key step in a tummy tuck to give patients the flattest contour and a narrow waistline.

M. Mark Mofid, MD, FACS · Answer

During an abdomnioplasty, muscles which have separated from pregnancy or weight gain are sutures together. The suturing brings the muscles together, creating an internal corset, which narrows the waist and flattens the appearance of the abdominal bulge.

Shain A. Cuber, MD · Answer

When a patient undergoes Abdominoplasty the surgeon will lift the skin to expose the abdominal muscles. At that time your surgeon will examine the muscles to see the degree of tightening needed. The muscles are not cut. Instead, using special suturing techniques the muscles are tightened by plicating them together. Excess skin will then be excised and resutured to leave you with a flatter abdomen. I would make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you are a candidate for abdominoplasty.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

As part of the tummy tuck, the paired rectus abdominis muscles which have separated apart are sutured together, thereby flattening the abdominal and tightening the muscle layer in general. The muscles are not cut. Skin and the associated fat is cut and removed as part of the tummy tuck.

Donald M. Brown, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. No abdominal muscles are cut nor removed during a tummy tuck procedure. Excessive weight gain or pregnancy causes the abdominal muscles to spread apart. This spreading apart of the muscles causes the abdomen to sag or protrude outward. During a tummy tuck surgery these muscles or rather the covering over the muscles are sutured together in multiple layers. You can think of this as an internal corset. The excessive fat and skin between the pubis and belly button is then removed and the skin is pulled down and sutured to the lower abdomen so as to create a very nice tight tummy.

Larry Fan, MD · Answer

Dear LGMtnMom,

	A tummy tuck is an excellent way to remove extra skin from your belly and to tighten your abdomen.

	During the procedure, an opening is made along the bikini line, the extra skin is lifted and removed, and the abdominal wall muscles (which are often stretched and separated from having kids) are tightened using sutures. The abdominal muscles are left intact and are not cut.

	I hope this helps.

	Warmest wishes,

	Larry Fan, MD

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