What is the internal corset?

Abdominoplasty with Mesh Reinforcement is a
technique I use to create a more hourglass figure. The mesh increases mechanical strength of the
abdominal wall, results in early satiety, weight loss and maintains the reduced
weight. There are recent articles published
in Plastic Reconstructive Journal describing this technique.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

The corset can be performed with suture as it is done in almost every tummy tuck.Find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy
tucks and body contouring procedures each year. Then look at the
plastic surgeon's
website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can
deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

The internal corset is just a tightening of the abdominal wall muscles which is typically done with a full tummy tuck surgery. The rectus abdominus muscles which run from the ribs to the pelvis are often spread apart after pregnancy or significant weight gain. The internal corset or rectus plication is when the edges of the two abdominal muscles are brought back into the midline and sutured into place. There is no need to use any type of additional reinforcing material to make the plication effective. (No pig skin needed).

This is a normal part of any tummy tuck where we tighten the abdominal muscles to give a better configuration to the abdomen. It flattens the stomach. No pigskin is used.

The ‘Internal Corset’ – a procedure to narrow the waistThe permanent sutures that are used to flatten and tighten the abdominal wall are typically placed in the midline.  The rectus abdominis muscles, prior to pregnancy, are lined up immediately side-by-side. Expansion of the abdominal wall during pregnancy allows the muscles to stretch apart, leaving a weak layer of fascia (connective tissue) spanning the gap between the two muscles – the medical term for which is diastasis.  The midline tightening sutures correct the diastasis and bring the rectus muscles back into a 'side-by-side' configuration, flattening the abdominal wall in the process.Although this midline tightening dramatically enhances the abdominal profile, it often does adequately address the fact that pregnancy can also wreak havoc on the waist, turning what was formerly an 'hourglass' figure into something that is more cylindrical in shape. For several years now I have been using permanent 'internal corset' sutures, placed laterally in the abdominal wall, that draw the waist inward and restore some of the hourglass effect of abdominal concavity at the waistline in frontal view. The addition of these sutures to midline tightening, and in some cases in place of midline tightening, has allowed me to achieve even more impressive postoperative results.Look at many, may before and after photos of tummy tucks, if the waist looks more narrow, the plastic surgeon has mastered making the waist smaller. Always avoid a plastic surgeon who leaves patients with scars around the belly button.

During pregnancy of major weight gain, the abdomen is stretched out.  Not only is the skin stretched, but the muscles underneath are stretched as well.The two rectus muscles, which are paired and run vertically from the ribs to the pelvic area, are not attached in the middle.  (BTW, these are the muscles that make up the famous "6 pack.")  When these muscles are stretched by pregnancy, for example, they separate in the midline.  And after childbirth, they never move together again.  The result is an abdomen that can never regain the flatness and tightness of youth -- unless the muscles are again brought together in the midline.The corset does just that.  It is virtually always performed during a tummy tuck and consists of stitches that pull the muscles together in the midline.  By doing so, it often narrows the waist.This maneuver is an essential part of most tummy tucks and if you do proceed with a tummy tuck, you should absolutely discuss this with your surgeon.Good luck!Elliot Jacobs, MD, FACSNew York City