Does a tummy tuck without muscle repair look the same as one with muscle repair?

It depends on the individual patient. If they have abdominal muscle separation, then a tummy tuck without muscle repair would not achieve a satisfying result as their stomach would still bulge out. 

Tummy tucks do not repair the muscle but they repair the lining outside the muscle called fascia.  If you have had 50 lbs of weight loss it is most likely that your fascia has stretched and you would benefit from fascia repair.  The technique I recommend is abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement.  The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.  The mesh increases the mechanical strength both passively by its own intrinsic strength and actively by increasing the strength of the rectus abdominal muscle.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello and thank you for your question. The short answer is 'no'.  Muscle repair makes the abdomen flat and takes care of the abdominal wall bulge. I would seek consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon
for a full evaluation and advice. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.                                            
Johns
Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon