Is it Possible to Have Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair?

Sure you can!! I do see patients that already have a very tight, muscular abdomen, that just need the skin tightened up (just did one this week!). It is less common and you need to make sure that you really will be satisfied with the muscle wall tightness if nothing is done!! And the recovery is much faster...

Dear Kathy,

I feel I need to clarify a few things for you. Pregnancies and weight gain result in large increases in intra-abdominal volume. The abdominal wall will stretch and change accordingly. Muscles elongate without tearing. However, the fascia (which surrounds the muscle) may stretch and tear. When the fascia tears completely it is called a hernia. Partial tears result in diastasis (weakening). With your history of two pregnancies and a sixty pound weight change, it is most likely that your fascia has been damaged. Repairs done during TT are not to the muscle but to the fascia. In your case, I would recommend you undergo fascia repair. This adds very little time to the procedure and increases the mechanical strength of your abdominal wall. There are recent articles published on the use of mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall with TT. A strengthened abdominal wall is flatter, more attractive and maintains reduced weight. Best wishes,

Dr. Horndeski

you can absolutely have a tommy tuck without muscle reconstruction, but there is a trade off.  you will have a less painful quicker recovery, howeveryour abdomen will not be as firm or flat afterwards. if you truly have lost 60 lbs after having kept it on for 18 years i suggest the plication. it is like you had a 60 pound pregnancy for 18 years