I Had a Tummy Tuck and my Doctor Did Not Stitch my Muscles, Is That Normal?

Question

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

If your doctor was a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon then he/she would have stitched or tightened the abdominal muscles if indicated.  Ask your surgeon why they were not stitched.  Not all abdomens need to have the muscle stitched.  Pregnancy will have a higher risk of muscle separation, and need of muscle tightening.

Edward J. Bednar, MD · Answer

This hould have been addressed prior to surgery in your consuktation and as part of informed consent.  I would follow-up with your PS and find out why this was not done.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Rectus diastasis reapir (stitching of the muscles) is common during abdominoplasty.  Hopefully you had a discussion with your surgeon prior to surgery and the plan that you had agreed upon was followed.  Based on my practice, there have only been a few patients out of hundreds that did not require muscle tightening during the abdominoplasty and I had discussed that with the patient before the surgery.  I would suggest discussing your concerns with your surgeon.

	 

	Good Luck.

Jonathan J. Staiano, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

It is often necessary to bring the rectus muscles together if they are splayed apart following pregnancy or weight loss, however it is not always needed.  If you have a bulge between your six pack muscles when you do a straight leg raise while lying on your back, then your rectus muscles are diverged and need repair.  Not everyone has this divergence of the muscle and so not every needs them to be stitched back.  Stitching the muscles is painful and can bring with it potential complications and so should not be done unless it is required.

	Are you happy with your result?  If so - don't worry about whether the muscles were sutured or not.

Chen Lee, MD · Answer

Separation of the muscle (diastasis) is treated by suturing the muscles during abdominoplasty.  However not all patients have this problem.  If you are dissatisfied with your results you might consider rediscussing this with your treating surgeon or seeking the opinion of another a board certified plastic surgeon.

I Had a Tummy Tuck and my Doctor Did Not Stitch my Muscles, Is That Normal?

Answers (9)

Answer: Stitching muscles with tummy tuck

Answer: Stitching muscles with tummy tuck

Answer: Separation of the muscle (diastasis) is treated by suturing the muscles

Answer: Separation of the muscle (diastasis) is treated by suturing the muscles

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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I Had a Tummy Tuck and my Doctor Did Not Stitch my Muscles, Is That Normal?

Answers (9)

Answer: Stitching muscles with tummy tuck

Answer: Stitching muscles with tummy tuck

Answer: Separation of the muscle (diastasis) is treated by suturing the muscles

Answer: Separation of the muscle (diastasis) is treated by suturing the muscles

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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.