Dallas tummy tuck patients often want to know if muscle tightening (muscle plication) is really necessary. They rationalize that they have extra skin and fat of the abdominal wall and that removal of this tissue will give them their desired result. They’ve also heard that muscle plication is painful and that their recovery from a Dallas tummy tuck will be faster without it. The case below illustrates the importance of muscle tightening in most women seeking a Dallas tummy tuck or Dallas mommy makeover
This illustrates the importance of muscle tightening with a Dallas tummy tuck. With multiple pregnancies, the muscles of the abdominal wall often separate. That causes the outward bulging of the abdominal wall seen in the preoperative photos on the left. With tightening of the abdominal wall, that bulge goes away, giving the abdominal wall a much flatter appearance, as seen as the postoperative photos on the right.
A few lucky women are spared muscle separation (rectus diastasis) with pregnancy. These women are lucky enough to not need muscle plication. For the rest, the old adage is true: “No pain no gain.” Results of a Dallas tummy tuck will be suboptimal without muscle tightening.
For more information, please contact Dr. Jejurikar’s office at Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute at 214-827-2814.