Sagging Belly After Childbirth and Diet? Can a Tummy Tuck Be the Solution?

Information

Surgical site

• surgical site :abdominoplasty, M-type, Triple lock, Navel Correction, abdomen liposuction
• liposuction aspirate volume : 3500cc

Many people worry not only about facial skin elasticity but also about body skin firmness.

Loss of skin elasticity is not just a result of aging; it is also affected by factors such as rapid weight loss, pregnancy, and childbirth.

When the abdomen has been expanded for an extended period, both the skin and abdominal wall stretch. Even after the abdominal volume returns to normal, the skin may not regain its original tightness, leading to sagging.

Particularly after childbirth, many individuals attempt to restore their abdominal firmness through diet and exercise. However, achieving smooth and tight skin can be challenging, leaving many feeling frustrated.

As a result, more people are seeking consultations for a tummy tuck to restore skin elasticity and reshape their body contours.

Beyond aesthetics, many patients also view this procedure as a way to regain their confidence and improve their overall well-being.

Let’s take a closer look at a patient’s case to better understand the benefits of tummy tuck surgery.

The tummy tuck patient we are analyzing today is a woman in her mid-30s who had a natural childbirth years ago.

She was particularly concerned about her overall abdominal appearance, as she experienced significant skin laxity, stretch marks, and excess sagging skin that became more pronounced when she bent forward.

Despite the changes caused by pregnancy, her rib cage had not widened, and her waistline had a naturally inward curve.

By performing full abdominal liposuction alongside a tummy tuck, we expected to refine her waistline while lifting and tightening the loose abdominal skin, ultimately achieving a smoother and more sculpted contour.

In this patient’s case, the sagging was severe across both the upper and lower abdomen. Since excess skin removal was unavoidable, a medium-type tummy tuck (mid-abdominoplasty) was necessary.

For the correction of the loosened abdominal wall, V-Loc sutures (absorbable sutures) were used to reinforce the rectus muscles.

Additionally, in a medium-type tummy tuck, the skin is dissected up to the upper abdomen and pulled downward for removal. As a result, an umbilicoplasty was performed to reposition the navel appropriately.

By incorporating umbilicoplasty, the patient’s desired slimmer waistline was expected to become more visually prominent.

Below, we will compare medical images taken before the abdominoplasty and five and a half months after the procedure for a detailed analysis.

Before the surgery, excess fat accumulation and sagging abdominal skin caused the belly to droop downward. However, after the procedure, the abdomen was lifted, creating a firmer and more contoured front profile along with a well-defined waistline.

Additionally, the downward-facing navel due to excess skin was reshaped into a vertical form through umbilicoplasty. This adjustment not only enhanced the overall balance but also accentuated the slim waistline for a more sculpted appearance.

Before the surgery, the skin had lost elasticity due to pregnancy and childbirth, causing it to sag downward. However, after undergoing abdominal liposuction and tummy tuck surgery, the sagging was significantly improved, resulting in a firm and toned appearance without any drooping.

In this patient’s case, since she had future pregnancy plans after undergoing an abdominoplasty, a single-lock rectus muscle correction was performed using absorbable sutures to allow for natural muscle relaxation.

Despite this, her overall body line was well corrected, and both the sagging belly and the bulging appearance of the upper and lower abdomen were significantly improved.

Additionally, the abdominoplasty scar was well concealed within the underwear line, so she was not particularly concerned about its visibility.

In the early stages of recovery, regular follow-ups were conducted to monitor for any signs of infection or seroma formation at the incision site. The patient actively participated in post-operative check-ups and care, allowing for a stable and smooth recovery.

Compared to other surgeries, abdominoplasty requires more frequent follow-ups and long-term scar management, which may feel tedious at times.

However, as always, I explained that by following the recommended schedule and care instructions, she could achieve even better results.