Does a TT help with urinary incontinence?

Question

Will a TT help with incontinence?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In 2018 a study in Australia followed 214 women who underwent TT with abdominal muscle repair. Prior to surgery, a little less than 50% of the women reported issues with urinary incontinence. Six weeks and six months after the TT was performed, less than 2% of the patients in the study noted issues with urinary incontinence. Abdominoplasty to improve body contour also may alleviate symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, especially among patients who have not undergone previous cesarean section.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. A tummy tuck removes extra abdominal skin and fat and tightens the abdominal wall. This procedure does not affect the bladder or the urethra. So no, this procedure will not help with urinary incontinence.

Chad K. Wheeler, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck is not aimed at correcting urinary incontinence.  The goal is to remove the excess skin and fat of the lower abdomen and repair the abdominal wall muscles.  Having said that many of my patient report improvements in their urinary incontinence but that is not the goal or guarantee of the surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ladybug1077,
tummy tuck will not affect your urinary incontinece. It will tighten your abdominal muscles and remove extra skin from your abdomen. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

You  must treat urinary incontinence before because after a TT but mainly after a muscle repair your condition may become worse, Because of the increased  intraabdominal pressure. 
After several months the muscle relaxes and gets better. 
Dr. Cárdenas

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  A tummy tuck will not impact your urinary incontinence.  Hope this helps.

Christian Arroyo, MD · Answer

There are definitely benefits to having an abdominoplasty other than a smaller waist and tighter abdomen!! This is a great question!! Having an abdominoplasty will definitely help with stress incontinence because it will assist in strengthening your core muscles which in turn help to strengthen your entire abdominal area along with pelvic floor. It is unlikely that insurance will cover this procedure because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. You can however submit this for preauthorization to see if they will cover it. This procedure should be performed by a plastic surgery as it is a specialized procedure. Best of luck!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The tummy tuck is not designed to address urinary incontinence.  However there are many great non surgical treatments such as ThermiVa that can help with urinary issues.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

A tummy tuck will not help with urinary incontinence.

I suggest having a consultation with a local urologist.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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

A tummy tuck does not improve urinaly incontinence, in fact, it could make it worse by increasing the intraabdominal pressure.

Does a TT help with urinary incontinence?

Answers (10)

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