Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is well known for removing loose skin and improving your body contour, but there are other benefits to this plastic surgery as well. This procedure is popular among men and women after significant weight loss, especially after pregnancy and childbirth. Women often struggle with separated abdominal muscles, stretch marks and pelvic floor dysfunction, and tummy tuck may address these concerns.
Our doctors at The Plastic Surgery Center are board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in plastic and reconstructive procedures. Our medical team focuses on patient safety and high-quality results at our fully accredited surgical facility. Our experienced and knowledgeable plastic surgeons can determine if tummy tuck will address your concerns.
1. Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is common among pregnant and postpartum women and happens when the rectus abdominis muscles separate and stretch. These are the six-pack muscles, and diastasis recti may cause the belly to bulge out for months or years following childbirth. The issue may also cause low back pain, urinary incontinence, constipation, poor posture, pain during sex and pelvic or hip pain.
Rectus diastasis plication is performed during abdominoplasty to narrow the separation and restore the abdominal muscles to their anatomical position. This part of the tummy tuck procedure improves the function and form of the six-pack muscles for a smoother stomach region.
2. Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, or striae, are indented streaks that form on the body any time the skin stretches or shrinks quickly. These marks often appear with weight gain, bodybuilding or weight loss and are especially common among pregnant women. These sunken lines may appear red, pink, white, silver, blue, purple or black, depending on your skin tone and how long you’ve had them. Stretch marks may fade in appearance over time, but many women and men struggle with striae.
Tummy tuck removes skin from the lower abdomen, including stretch marks located in this area. While the procedure does not remove striae found above the belly button, people with lower abdominal stretch marks will enjoy a more uniform skin texture and tone after abdominoplasty.
3. Improves Urinary Incontinence Linked To The Pelvic Floor
Accidental urine leakage from the bladder is called urinary incontinence, and stress urinary incontinence happens when there’s too much pressure on the bladder. This issue is more common in women with diastasis recti after childbirth.
Women who struggle with urinary incontinence may benefit from tightening the soft tissues that support the pelvic floor during a tummy tuck, and these adjustments can improve bladder leakage. Urinary incontinence and back pain are two of the most common problems women experience after pregnancy. According to a 2019 study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the rectus repair involved with abdominoplasty can improve these concerns.
If you’re interested in abdominoplasty, contact The Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Contact our Sacramento, California, office at (916) 929-1833 or our Granite Bay, California, office at (916) 773-5550.