A tummy tuck can transform your body shape, giving you a flatter, firmer contour. However, this plastic surgery may offer more than cosmetic improvements, according to a 2018 study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Research suggests abdominoplasty with muscle repair can provide functional benefits for women struggling with back pain and urinary incontinence due to childbirth.
Abdominoplasty Study
An estimated 21 percent of women experience back pain for longer than two years after pregnancy. Women over 40 with a history of vaginal births are more likely to have long-term urinary incontinence.
A tummy tuck may improve these symptoms by strengthening the abdominal muscles that are believed to stabilize the spine. Diastasis recti occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles that stretch from your pelvis to your upper torso separate during pregnancy. This condition plagues many women and may contribute to chronic back pain.
How a Tummy Tuck Can Improve Back Pain and Urinary Incontinence
Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and stubborn pockets of fat from the abdomen. The procedure also includes strengthening and repositioning the underlying muscles to eliminate the “mommy pooch” or “c-section shelf” that many women struggle with postpartum. Repairing these muscles may have more than an aesthetic benefit.
The 2018 study enrolled 214 women undergoing abdominoplasty with muscle repair. These women were 42 years old with 2.5 deliveries, on average. Before their tummy tucks, 51 percent said they experienced moderate to severe disability caused by back pain, and 42.5 percent said they were significantly concerned with urinary incontinence problems.
Researchers re-evaluated the women’s scores six weeks and six months after they underwent abdominoplasty, and both timeframes showed substantial progress. At six months, just 9 percent of women reported ongoing disability from back pain, and under 2 percent still experienced significant urinary incontinence. These improvements persisted regardless of the surgical technique used for the tummy tuck and led to a better quality of life for the women involved.
Chronic back pain and urinary incontinence can be embarrassing and impact your ability to enjoy everyday life. It seems restoring a pre-baby figure with abdominoplasty may also offer a surgical solution for these issues. This procedure is often combined with breast surgery and liposuction for a mommy makeover.
Contact Foglietti Fostyk Plastic Surgery About Tummy Tuck
If you struggle with excess abdominal skin and fat, abdominoplasty may be right for you. Contact our board-certified plastic surgeons in Beachwood, Ohio, to discuss your body contouring options. Schedule your consultation by filling out our contact form or calling (216) 292-6800.
