There are a variety of tummy tucks that can produce a good cosmetic result in the appropriate patient: a mini tummy tuck, a modified with an umbilical float, or a variety of a full abdominoplasty, all of which may, or may not, include tightening of the muscle and liposuction, depending on your individual anatomy and desired outcome. Generally if there is significant loose skin above the umbilicus (belly button), a full tummy tuck will result in a greater correction and better outcome. Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do without seeing photos and without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest.
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) through Smart Beauty Guide that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person. (Robert Singer, MD, La Jolla Plastic Surgeon)
Tightening the muscles is an option in TTs that most women need because of separation during pregnancy. No separation present, no tightening needed. (Ronald V. DeMars, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)
Need to tighten muscles with tummy tuck surgery?
The tightening of the muscles is not needed in every tummy tuck, but depends on whether you’re muscles are tight or loose. Some people have some “pouching” of their abdomen even if no kids.
Usually from weight gain and lose, but can just be from life! Your plastic surgeon should be able to tell from your exam. If the abdomen is loose, get it tightened and you will appreciate it from then on. (Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS, Savannah Plastic Surgeon)
Do I need my stomach muslces tightened with tummy tuck
Although loose muscles on the abdomen are more common after childbirth, they can happen in women that never had a child. When does it happen? Well, if someone loses a large amount of weight, the muscles can be loose if there was a large amount of intra-abdominal fat that was lost, leaving the muscles stretched out. That is the most common scenario. If you have not had a large amount of weight loss, then it is likely that the muscles are fine. You can test it on your own by lying flat on the ground and then starting to do a situp but only going half way and looking at your stomach area.
If there is a bulge in the center of your abdomen when you do the half situp, then the muscle can be pulled back together. (Julio Garcia, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck tighten muscleswithout kids?
The muscles need to be tightened only if they are lax. This can happen without childern, and conversly, they can be tight despite childern. Weight gain and loss can affect these muscles, as well as genetics. A phyiscal exam is best in distinguishing the difference. (Pablo Prichard, MD, Phoenix Plastic Surgeon)
I always recommend (and perform) muscle reinforcement on every complete Tummy Tucks…
Photos would make this answer much easier (not to mention a personal evaluation), but let me try.Abdominal muscle diastase (separation) is more frequently seen in women that have had children.
However, any type of intra-abdominal growth might put pressure to the abdominal wall and cause a diastase as well. After pregnancy, the most common cause of this is Intra-abdominal (visceral) fat (commonly seen in ex-obese or ex-alcoholic patients). Also, some tumors may cause it as well (I once performed a TT on a patient that had previously undergone a giant uterus tumor). This said, muscle reinforcement is never an “extra”.
Meaning, I always perform it (with complete Tummy Tucks, not mini TTs) as it also mildly helps narrow the patient’s waist line a little bit. Feel free to contact me if this explanation did not clear your doubts. (Luis A. Fernandez Goico, MD, Dominican Republic Plastic Surgeon)