Not all tummy tucks are alike. Some involve more extensive surgery than others, and for this reason, what to expect during recovery tin vary from person to person. The aim of the stomach constrict is to slim and tighten the waist for a more shapely and youthful appearance, but the surgical route to get you in that location (and into some cute new dress) can vary quite a bit.

Depending on the amount of excess skin and fat to be removed, incisions tin can exist shorter or more than extensive, including the repositioning of the abdomen button. But one of the biggest factors to touch recovery from a tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty, is whether or non a muscle repair is included.

Why the musculus sometimes needs a repair

If y'all have seen the abs on even ane superhero you will know the musculus we are talking virtually. It is called the rectus abdominis and information technology runs vertically from your sternum to your pubic bone. It has a left and right side separated down the middle by a band of tissue called the linea alba.

The linea alba tin can become over stretched, commonly during pregnancy only likewise due to extreme weight gain or a lifting injury. When this happens the two sides of the muscle move further apart, resulting in an outward bulging of the belly that doesn't go away, even when weight (babe or otherwise) is gone. This status is called diastasis recti.

Besides being a cosmetic issue for some people, this condition can affect posture and body strength. Information technology tin cause pain in the abdomen, hips, and back, as well as bowel and bladder issues, all of which can have a huge impact on quality of life.

Why the muscle sometimes doesn't need a repair

Not all tummy tucks include a muscle repair considering not all bellies that can benefit from a tummy tuck have a diastasis recti. Even when the linea alba is stretched out, it can sometimes render to its normal size on its own. Furthermore, if a woman has had a cesarean section, a repair will likely have already been completed at that time.

How the muscle is repaired

Diastasis recti can be corrected past a general surgeon, but plastic surgeons routinely do this as function of their tummy tuck procedure. The surgery involves folding over the stretched tissue of the linea alba and suturing the 2 sides of the rectus abdominis musculus together. Though you can't run into it from the outside of the trunk, this involves suturing upwardly and downward the whole length of the abdomen.

Why a musculus repair impacts tummy tuck recovery

The deviation in recovery between a tummy constrict with musculus repair versus 1 without has to do with the fact that muscles contract. Unlike the peel and fat tissue that cover the abdomen, the muscles underneath (and the rectus abdominis is a large one) are prime movers and stabilizers of the whole trunk. This means that they contract almost whatsoever time you move your trunk. Even elementary movements like lifting your arms when sitting upright or rolling over in bed can appoint these muscles — and and so there's coughing and sneezing.

When the muscle is repaired it needs fourth dimension to remainder so that information technology tin can heal upwards. Over exerting yourself also early tin can compromise your results and will certainly be painful.

How a muscle repair impacts recovery

When a muscle repair is included with your breadbasket tuck, you will be required to exist more than careful and your recovery volition take a bit longer — from 3 to four weeks longer.

Symptoms
After a muscle repair patients often feel feeling more full quickly when eating and the sensation of not being able to take as deep a breath as they used to. This is due to a decrease in the corporeality of room inside the intestinal cavity caused past tightening the muscles. The stomach has less room to expand and the diaphragm meets more resistance as it moves down to let yous to have a breath. Both of these issues, if they occur, typically resolve inside four to six weeks.

Intestinal Binder
Shortly after surgery you will be given an intestinal folder to help support the repaired muscle and to reduce overall swelling. You will exist given instructions on how to put it on and volition be told to wear it regularly. You volition probably need assistance putting it on and taking it off in the first few days.

Lifting restrictions
After surgery, your doctor will restrict you to lifting no more than about ten-15 pounds. Y'all will be prohibited from lifting anything heavier for a full six to viii weeks after surgery. You will too non be allowed to do any core strengthening exercises, such as sit down-ups, to avoid stressing and potentially tearing the repair.

Posture
Information technology is typical of all patients later on a breadbasket tuck to have slightly hunched over posture. This is normal and it is important not to force an upright position and put undue strain while your incision heals. This becomes even more of import subsequently a muscle repair. Y'all may even be given a walker to go around the outset week later on surgery.

You still accept to become out of bed
Even with a muscle repair, your surgeon will require that you brainstorm moving about within a day of your surgery. This includes getting upwardly to become to the bathroom and with some restrictions, taking a shower. This is of import for your overall health and healing and the prevention of blood clots. Many patients opt to sleep in a recliner to brand these movements easier. Have someone at home to aid you, specially during the beginning couple of weeks.

Though the muscle repair does add some challenges to your recovery, the long term benefits tin far outweigh them. A study published last fall (2019), showed postpartum women who underwent a rectus abdominis repair had significant improvements in torso function, urinary incontinence, and overall quality of life.

If you are because a breadbasket tuck and want to know more nearly muscle repair, Dr. Slack would be pleased to offer a consultation in his function near McKinney, TX. Delight contact the states now to schedule your appointment.