Can Tummy Tuck Surgery Give You a Flatter Stomach? How Abdominoplasty Works

Women often have sagging skin after pregnancy and may struggle with diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) that gives their stomach a bulging appearance long after childbirth. These issues make it challenging to achieve a flat abdomen with diet and exercise alone. Tummy tuck repairs outstretched muscles, removes loose skin, and may eliminate stubborn fat in the midsection for a firmer, flatter stomach. Stephen M. Miller, MD, PC, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering tummy tuck in Las Vegas.

Can Diet and Exercise Give Me a Flat Stomach?

Diet and exercise can help men and women reach their goal weight and tone muscles but does little to improve loose skin. In fact, weight loss can worsen the appearance of loose skin left over from pregnancy or rapid weight gain. Some workouts may strengthen the abdominal wall, but exercise alone can’t repair the damage to the rectus abdominis muscles. Surgical repair and skin removal with tummy tuck is the only way to restore a flat stomach for people with these concerns.

Tummy Tuck Tightens Abdominal Muscles

Pressure coming from the internal abdomen, like during pregnancy, can separate the “six-pack” muscles, creating a noticeable gap after childbirth or weight loss. This condition is called diastasis recti and is a common concern for childbearing women. These muscles may never return to their previous state, even if you lose all the baby weight and focus on strength training. (Some ab exercises may worsen diastasis recti, such as crunches and sit-ups.) That external pooch is frustrating for men and women, but some severe cases may develop into a pseudo hernia in which abdominal contents protrude during a sit-up.

Dr. Miller trims and stitches the abdominal muscles during tummy tuck surgery to eliminate the stomach pooch. He restores the abdominal muscles to their proper location for improved functioning and a flatter stomach.

Tummy Tuck Removes Loose Skin for Flatter Abdomen

The tummy tuck procedure creates an incision just above the pubic hairline that stretches from hip to hip in most cases. Dr. Miller can typically utilize a previous cesarean incision during tummy tuck. Another incision is sometimes necessary around the belly button for severely loose skin.

Dr. Miller lifts the skin to access the muscles. After the muscle repair, he pulls the upper abdominal skin down like the shade of a window and trims the excess tissue. Stretch marks in the lower abdomen are typically removed with the sagging skin, and upper abdominal stretch marks are located much lower after tummy tuck. A new belly button opening is fashioned, and the skin is sutured together.

These surgical steps ensure a flat stomach after tummy tuck. Dr. Miller may include liposuction for men and women with stubborn fat in the treated area.

Is Tummy Tuck Right for You?

Most adults in good health with loose skin and separated abdominal muscles may qualify for tummy tuck. You must be 18 with realistic expectations. Dr. Miller recommends women wait to have plastic surgery until they are finished having children because future pregnancies can affect tummy tuck results.

Schedule your complimentary tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Miller today. Contact our Las Vegas, Nevada, office by calling (702) 369-1001 or filling out our online contact form.