Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

Muscles are not cut during a TT. They are “plicated” – the linings of the muscles are sutured together in the midline in approximately the position in which they are supposed to be located .

This can be a key part of the improvement some patients experience after the surgery since removal of skin alone does not typically improve the bulge many have. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

No muscles are cut in tummy tucks

No, you do not have to get any muscles cut with a tummy tuck. In fact, that is not a part of the procedure at all. The muscles are left intact. When people refer to “fixing the muscle” as part of a tummy tuck, they are referring to bringing the ab muscles back together in the center if they were widened by pregnancy or weight changes.

A tummy tuck and muscle repair

This is called repair of rectus diastasis, and does not involve cutting the muscle, but rather suturing the fascia (lining over the muscle) together in the center. In other words, the space between the ab muscles, if widened, is simply reduced. One thing to note though is your tattoo will be partially removed (based on appearance in the photo), because typically the skin between the belly button and lower abdominal incision is removed as part of the tummy tuck. (Anita Patel, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

The muscles are not “cut” during a tummy tuck. They are sutured together to flatten the abdomen and to improve the bulging that occurs in some patients from weakening or separation of the abdominal muscles.I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with.

Tummy tuck and muscle repair before

You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. (Robert Singer, MD, La Jolla Plastic Surgeon)

I do not want my abdominal muscles cut! Do I have to get my muscles cut if I get a full tummy tuck?

The abdominal muscle is never cut in a routine tummy tuck. The tissue around the muscle (called fascia) is tightened but the muscle is not touch.  (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

Muscles during a tummy tuck

Tummy tuck and muscle repair reason

There are no muscles cut during a tummy tuck. Actually if the muscles have split apart the are repaired back to their original position in order to give your abdomen a better contour. (Julio Garcia, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)

The rectus muscles are not cut during an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). The muscles are usually tightened by stitching together the loose fascia (strength layer) over the muscles. Some women need this tightening, others don’t. It does create more pain in the postop period and prolong the lifting restrictions. Your surgeon should discuss all of these issues with you during your consultation. (Nicholas Tarola, MD, Nashville Plastic Surgeon)

The abdominal muscles are not cut and re-sutured like they are in an intra-abdominal surgery.

Tummy tuck surgery and muscle repair

Basically, the outer covering of the loose muscles, a layer called the fascia, is pleated on top of itself with sutures to tighten the fascia and flatten the loose muscle bulge that occurs after multiple pregnancies. (Donald Griffin, MD, Nashville Plastic Surgeon)

Muscles are not cut during tummy tuck. They are reasonably tightened to restore their tone. Based on your photos you are a good candidate for the procedure (Vasdev Rai, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

The rectus, or six-pack muscles of the abdomen are stretched and spread apart during pregnancy. After the pregnancy, these muscles tighten somewhat, but they often do not return fully to the midline position. If you have had 4 children, there is a good chance that these muscles remain splayed apart from one another. An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck would remove the excess or loose skin of your abdomen (along with much of your tattoo) and tightening of these muscles with sutures could be performed.

The muscles are tightened in the midline with suturing, and do not need to be cut in order to accomplish this. This tends to flatten and tone the abdomen and really enhances the tummy tuck result. This isn’t mandatory, though, and should be discussed with your plastic surgeon in your consultation along with the risks and benefits of the surgery. (Erik Hoy, MD)

There is no reason to cut your any muscle in a Tummy Tuck, the normal procedure that involves muscle is, muscle tightening, and this procedure only involves sutures. (Luis Redondo, MD, Dominican Republic Plastic Surgeon)

Muscle work with a tummy tuck

The full abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure should and will be discussed in detail at the time of your consultation. All your options and all the details of the procedure including muscle tightening will be outlined in detail. When I describe the procedure to my patients I let them know the muscle is not cut just stitched together to add to the strength and make the muscles tighter. (Frank J. Ferraro, MD, Paramus Plastic Surgeon)