The Surprising Benefits of a Tummy Tuck (Hint: This One Is for You, Moms)

A tummy tuck at our Albany, NY area, practice can help you realize a flat and toned midsection, but it offers lesser-known medical benefits as well. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a tummy tuck can also address lower back pain and urinary incontinence after pregnancy.

The study’s findings suggest that a tummy tuck with abdominal muscle repair can restore a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy condition and thus achieve these additional results. Let’s look at some specifics about this study and what the results might mean for you.

Who were the women in this study?

The women in this study had tummy tuck surgery to correct separated abdominal muscles (a condition called diastasis recti), which they had developed after pregnancy. The average age was 42.1 years, a common age to opt for a tummy tuck, because most women wait to have this surgery until they are finished having children. The average age range of children was 5.2 years. More information about the subject demographics can be found in the study.

What is diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti is a condition that affects most women who have children. During pregnancy the abdominal muscles are stretched apart, and for many women, the muscles do not naturally return to their original, pre-pregnancy position. During a tummy tuck, we correct this issue by tightening the abdominal muscles using sutures. Tightening these muscles helps to restore core abdominal strength that is lost when the muscles separate during pregnancy.

How can the surgery address lower back pain?

Many women with diastasis recti also develop lower back pain. This happens because abdominal muscles that are out of place can result in poor posture. Over time, the stress of poor posture can change the anatomical characteristics of your back and lead to frequent discomfort. Tightening the abdominal muscles through a tummy tuck procedure helps to support your spine, allowing you to stand up straighter and improve your overall posture. The study suggests that this improved posture helps to reduce back pain. Having good posture has many other benefits, including looking more confident, breathing easier, improving circulation, and protecting your muscles and joints.

How can the surgery address urinary incontinence?

During pregnancy the abdominal muscles around the bladder can stretch and ultimately result in urinary incontinence. If you have this condition, you are not alone. Many women find that daily occurrences like coughing, sneezing, exercising, and laughing can trigger leakage. This can be understandably frustrating and embarrassing, and there is not much you can do to fix this problem on your own.

In the study, nearly 50% of the women reported incontinence prior to their surgery. However, at six months post-surgery, less than 2% reported incontinence, suggesting that tummy tuck with muscle repair can effectively address this condition.

The main goal of a tummy tuck is to restore a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy form. And the results of this recent study show that a tummy tuck can not only improve how you look, but how your body functions as well.

If you want to learn more about how you can benefit from a tummy tuck, contact us online or give us a call at (518) 438-0505.