Can You Get Back Pain Relief with a Tummy Tuck?

Question

Can a tummy tuck decrease the pain and frequency of back aches?

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

After a tummy tuck with tightening of the fascia, patients literally have an "internal corset", almost like having a back brace, permanently.
We know that having strong tight abdominal muscles improves low back pain and the tendency toward lordosis (concave back and protrusion of the belly).  Interestingly, after tummy tuck procedures, patients note they get full more quickly after eating, also probably a result of having a tighter abdominal fascia.
Many of our patients note much improvement in their posture and their back pain after surgery.  Before surgery, they were literally fightening to tighten a ripped fascia, an impossibility.
That being said, this evidence is just anecdotal, or "in my experience", not scientific.
And of course after any plastic surgery, even if the results are impressive, it is incumbent on the patient to continue to strengthen their core, be active and physically fit.  Patients should never rely on plastic surgery to substitute for good exercise and eating habits.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear glory_lopez,

While a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is primarily performed to improve the appearance of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscles, some patients may experience secondary benefits such as improved posture and decreased back pain.

Here's how a tummy tuck may potentially provide relief from back pain:

Muscle Tightening: During a tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are often tightened and repositioned to create a firmer and more toned abdomen. This can help improve core strength and stability, leading to better posture and reduced strain on the back muscles.

Improved Posture: Excess abdominal skin and fat can contribute to poor posture, which may exacerbate back pain over time. By removing this excess tissue and tightening the abdominal muscles, a tummy tuck can help restore a more upright posture, reducing the likelihood of back strain and discomfort.

Alleviation of Weight Distribution: A protruding abdomen can alter the body's center of gravity, causing increased stress on the lower back muscles as they work to support the weight. By flattening and tightening the abdomen, a tummy tuck can help distribute weight more evenly, potentially relieving strain on the back.

Enhanced Mobility: For some patients, the elimination of excess abdominal tissue can lead to increased flexibility and range of motion, making it easier to engage in physical activities without experiencing discomfort or restriction.

While many patients experience improvements in back pain following a tummy tuck, it's important to note that individual results may vary. Factors such as the underlying cause of back pain, overall health, and lifestyle habits can influence the extent of relief experienced.

If you're considering a tummy tuck primarily for back pain relief, it's essential to discuss your concerns and expectations with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can evaluate your specific situation, provide personalized recommendations, and help you determine whether a tummy tuck is the right option for addressing your back pain.

Ultimately, while a tummy tuck can provide aesthetic and functional benefits, it's essential to have realistic expectations and prioritize your overall health and well-being.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen
Plastic Surgeon

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

We
frequently see patients with redundant abdominal tissue who also suffer from
back pain.  Under these circumstances,
it’s not unusual to see improvement in back pain when patients undergo
abdominoplasty surgery.

The reasons for this resolution in
pain aren’t totally clear.  In some cases
it may be related to tissue removal.  In
this situation, an abdominal panniculus can create downward pull which can
result in back pain.

In other cases tightening the
abdominal muscles might add support to the lower back.  This might effectively create a corset
effect.

Although this procedure may
occasionally help back pain, its primary purpose is to provide improved abdominal
aesthetics.  For this reason, resolution
of back pain should be viewed as a bonus. 
Abdominoplasty isn’t indicated to treat back pain.  Under these circumstances, an orthopedic
surgery consultation is more appropriate.

If you’re considering abdominoplasty
and have back pain, it’s important to consult a board certified plastic
surgeon.  This surgeon should be able to
address your concerns.

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

The purpose of the abdominoplasty is to remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. I don’t think this will impact the back pain directly. Relief of back pain is usually accomplished in the form of walking and strengthening core muscles.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

An preliminary report published in 1990 suggested that Wide Abdominal Rectus Plication (aka the WARP abdominoplasty technique) produced some back pain relief in 24/25 patients treated.
However, this has not been substantiated and should not be the primary reason you seek abdominoplasty .
If i can explain. Your spine depends on a delicate balance between your stomach muscles and back muscles. When your stomach muscles are weak you may have an abnormal posture which creates excessive back discomfort.
Think about how it feels on your back when you have been sitting "Indian-style" for a while.
This is the reason orthopedic surgeons and spine surgeons will often prescribe a course of physical therapy to strengthen your abodminal muscles. It is also why Pilates and Yoga core strengthening exercises can improve minor back pain. I perform Pilates after a long week of surgery and I find dramatic relief from back strain.
The muscle rearrangement that occurs with abdominoplasty  can enable you to use these stomach muscles in a more normal fashion and improve back pain but it should not be the sole reason you seek surgery.
In fact, in the early postoperative period, you may experience a greater degree of back pain you feel due to excessive bending forward from your tendency ot releive the pull felt by tightening the skin. 
I hope this helps!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

An abdominoplasty procedure is performed to address the abdominal muscle wall and the lower abdominal pannus.  It does not specifically change the abdominal muscles, rather, the procedure tightens the laxity of the rectus fascia.
Since the procedure does not address the back, per se, it is difficult to predict the response of the back to the abdominoplasty.  If you have back pain, you should discuss the postoperative recovery so as not to worsen the back pain during this critical period of rest and recovery.

Sean Younai, MD, FACS · Answer

I have had several patients with chronic back pain, who had reasonable improvement with their back pain after a tummy tuck. These were patietns that had a very large and hanging abdominal pannus.
I suspect that besides removing the heavy abdominal pannus, the tightening of the abdominal muscles helps to strengthen the core, and thus also help with the back pain.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Glory,
It is definitely possible that your back aches will improve after abdominoplasty.  In addition to tightening your core muscles, you will likely have better posture and balance following surgery which all would help reduce back aches.
David Shafer, MD

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Back pain can come from many causes and while there are clear clinical studies regarding back pain from large breasts, I am unaware of clinical studies demonstrating back pain improvement from correction of diastasis during abominoplasty.
That being said, it does tend to make some sense providing that pulling those muscles into a more anatomic position likely improves their mechanical advantage.  This concept must be balanced with the fact that "plicating" the rectus muscles (placing stitches in them to pull them together) likely decreases the function somewhat (at least in the short term).  Even if this theory is true, this, of course, would not correct other contributing causes of back pain.  I hope this helps.
Steven Williams, MD

Heather Vande Ven, DO · Answer

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is primarily a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tighten the underlying muscles. While it can improve the appearance of the abdomen and potentially provide some relief from excess weight and skin pulling on the back, it is not specifically intended for back pain relief. Back pain can have various causes, including posture, muscle imbalances, herniated discs, and more. If your back pain is related to excess abdominal weight or muscle weakness, a tummy tuck might indirectly help by addressing these factors. However, it’s essential to consult with a medical professional to determine the root cause of your back pain and explore appropriate treatment options. A tummy tuck should noy be considered a primary solution for back pain relief.