Before and after abdominoplasty and repair of significant rectus diastasis (separation of the rectus abdominis muscles after pregnancy) in a 41 year old mother. She had very little body fat and never had considered Plastic Surgery previously. She had tried every non-surgical technique to try to coax her abdominal muscles back into the midline, but was left with a belly that looked like she was still pregnant.
Rectus diastasis happens when rapid expansion of the uterus during pregnancy creates a slow tear between the muscles – the separation fills in with scar tissue. Unfortunately, no amount of physical therapy or muscle strengthening can fix this muscle separation.
An abdominoplasty removes excess lower abdominal skin and fat and repairs the abdominal muscles back together in the midline, essentially reconstructing “the core” (abdominal wall musculature). A tummy tuck also pulls the abdominal skin securely downward and creates a scar designed as low and as short as possible.
An incision is also required around the umbilicus (belly button) to reposition the navel through a new incision – like bringing a button through a button hole. The umbilicus remains in its original position on the abdominal wall. If you put your hands on your hips and bring your fingers toward each other in the midline, that’s where the belly button lies. Ensuring the navel looks as normal as possible is extremely important to an aesthetic abdominoplasty outcome.
Her Mommy Makeover only required muscle repair and removal of excess lower abdominal skin. No liposuction was required. Follow up photos are shown 8 months after surgery. Her scars are fading and she has her pre-pregnancy belly back!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
