How Are the Muscles Tightened in a Tummy Tuck?

The muscles of the abdomen like all parts of the body are encased in a fibrous envelope (fascia), so the muscle repair actually involves stitches into the fascia. This is necessary because the muscles often get pushed apart with pregnancy, but the direction of muscle contraction doesn't pull them together with exercise. Muscle tone is always a matter of exercise so the results of working out after tummy tuck may look better than without but the surgery won't make the muscles stronger.

5.  the Rectus Abdomini (your six pack) that was stretched with pregnancy or weight gain if you haven't obviously been pregnant.  It needs to be tightened.

4. The muscles are not cut, but are "Imbricated" (folded centrally and sewed to tighten) in a "north-to-south" position.  

3.  If you are a  "massive weight loss" patient (classified as greater than 70 pounds) you may also have an imbrication in the "east-to-west" position as well.

2.  Be careful about procedures which are marketed as "less painful" or faster recovery without doing a muscle tightening as you may be dissatisfied with the bulge after surgery.

1. Make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon and that he or she has tons of great B&A's (before and after photos) to show you.