Tummy Tuck: More than a Cosmetic Procedure

Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is well known for its cosmetic benefits. By eliminating loose, excess skin and fat, and repairing weakened or separated muscles, tummy tuck can create a firmer and flatter abdomen. But what many potential patients may not be aware of is that tummy tuck also offers medical benefits.

Here, Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha, a top plastic surgeon in Albany, reveals what one study found in regards to the medical benefits of tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Reduces Back Pain and Urinary Incontinence

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, looked at 214 women who underwent tummy tuck with abdominal repair to restore their pre-baby figure. Prior to surgery, the women completed questionnaires about back pain and urinary incontinence, two common physical complaints reported by women after childbirth. In pre-op questionnaires, about 51 percent of the women reported having moderate to severe disability from back pain, while 42.5 percent said urinary incontinence was a “significant concern.”

Follow-up questionnaires completed six weeks and six months after tummy tuck revealed that most women reported an improvement in both symptoms. Only 9 percent of women still had moderate disability from back pain while only 2 percent reported urinary incontinence as a significant problem.

So how does tummy tuck help alleviate back pain and urinary incontinence? Pregnancy and childbirth cause the abdominal muscles to stretch and separate. When this occurs, the muscles may no longer be strong enough to stabilize and support the core, causing the back to overcompensate. Tummy tuck tightens the abdominal muscles, improving abdominal support and taking the strain off the back muscles. Tightening of the abdominal muscles and skin can also lead to increased support of the pelvic muscles, bladder and urethra, improving urinary incontinence.

Are You a Candidate for Tummy Tuck?

Do you want to achieve a flatter and firmer tummy and/or experience some of the medical benefits tummy tuck has to offer? You may be an ideal candidate for tummy tuck if you:

• Have stubborn fatty deposits and excess skin in the abdomen due to pregnancy, significant weight fluctuations or certain genetic factors
• Have tried to tone and flatten your abdomen with diet and exercise
• Are at or near your ideal weight
• Do not plan to become pregnant in the future
• Are in good overall health
• Have reasonable expectations of surgery

To learn more about tummy tuck, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Kayastha. Contact his Albany plastic surgery practice by calling (518) 346-3125 today.