Tummy tuck with rectus muscle repair in Korea – Before & after results for a patient in her late 40s | Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
40s |
52kg |
158cm |
21 |
Surgical site
Abdomen, hip dip, M-Type, abdominal wall plication, umbilical correction
2,100cc
Hip dip fat transfer (Right: 180cc / Left: 180cc)
Pregnancy and childbirth are moments
of great joy, but the internal and external
changes that follow often become
realistic challenges that need to be addressed.
When the abdominal skin and
rectus muscles that expanded during pregnancy
lose their ability to recover,
it can lead to lower-belly sagging
and contour imbalance,
which require structural correction.
In addition, childbirth through
a cesarean section often leaves
an incision scar that becomes
another source of concern.
Because structural issues cannot be
fully corrected through simple care alone,
many people consider procedures such as
abdominoplasty and rectus muscle plication.
In this post, through a case of a patient
in her late 40s, we will review
the abdominal concerns she had before surgery
and explain the improvements seen
after the procedure.
The patient had experienced prolonged discomfort
after two past cesarean deliveries,
struggling with lower-abdominal skin sagging,
stretch marks, and a noticeable
C-section scar.
She shared that she avoided clothing
that revealed the waistline,
and her confidence gradually decreased
over time.
Although she was firmly determined
to proceed with abdominoplasty,
she had a history of cancer treatment,
so the consultation was conducted only after
receiving clearance from her primary physician
that surgery would be safe.
For abdominal contouring, we evaluated the overall
skin condition, the degree of rectus muscle separation,
fat distribution, and body balance.
In this patient’s case, there was a high amount of fat
around the navel area and lower abdomen,
and the skin sagging was also quite severe.
When bending the upper body forward,
the loosened skin sagged depending on direction,
clearly showing a loss of elasticity.
Due to rectus diastasis, the abdominal wall
could no longer support the organs firmly,
allowing them to shift downward, which caused
uneven bulging and deep folds
across the abdomen.
To lift the abdomen and correct the entire contour,
she needed skin lifting, muscle repair,
and fat removal.
Additionally, to create a feminine and smooth
connection between the upper and lower body,
hip dip fat grafting for pelvic contouring
was also recommended.
1. M-Type abdominoplasty
– Lifts sagging abdominal skin from the upper abdomen downward
– Completely removes the existing C-section scar
– Incision placed low enough to be hidden under underwear
2. Rectus muscle repair (plication)
– Tightens the stretched rectus muscles from the upper abdomen
– Corrects the bulging of the abdominal wall
3. Umbilical correction
– Repositions the navel displaced by skin lifting
– Designs a stable location aligned with the waistline
4. Full abdominal liposuction
– Liposuction of the entire abdomen, including the flanks
– Enhances line correction when combined with abdominoplasty
5. Hip dip fat grafting
– Adds volume to a flat pelvic line
– Improves upper–lower body balance and emphasizes the waistline
We will now review the postoperative photos
to see how the patient’s concerns—
loose skin, muscle laxity, and the C-section scar—
were addressed after surgery.
Because this patient was in her late 40s,
the abdominal shape had remained sagged for years
after pregnancy and childbirth, and age-related
loss of elasticity had further worsened the condition,
creating a noticeably weakened appearance
with deep abdominal folds.
She was especially concerned about the bulging skin
above her C-section scar, which protruded
and created an uneven contour.
Through abdominoplasty,
rectus muscle repair, and liposuction,
we addressed all combined structural issues
of the skin, muscle, and fat layer.
The severely sagging skin—from the navel
downward under gravity—was completely lifted.
The abdominal wall, which caused
an uneven and bulging appearance,
was corrected, resulting in a firm and smooth
front-abdominal contour.
Thanks to liposuction, the waistline
also became noticeably slimmer.
The C-section scar was completely removed.
Before abdominal contouring,
the skin, fat, and abdominal wall
would bulge forward in an uneven, lumpy way
when bending at the waist.
After surgery, these areas were firmly corrected,
and the sagging has completely disappeared.
With the disappearance of the sagging
and the weakened tissue pushing outward,
the abdomen now appears smooth and natural
even with changes in posture.
From the side view, the lower abdomen
folded and protruded around the
C-section scar, and the abdominal line
from the upper abdomen downward
was uneven, giving the entire body shape
an unstable appearance.
With abdominoplasty, abdominal wall repair,
and liposuction, all issues of folding,
wrinkles, and bulging were corrected,
allowing the skin to settle smoothly.
The abdominal contour has become firm,
showing a stable and balanced appearance.
Although the patient had slightly slower
immune function and recovery speed
due to an underlying condition,
she closely followed the recommended
treatment and care instructions,
which helped her move into
a stable recovery phase more quickly.
Abdominoplasty is a procedure sought
by a wide age range—from the 20s to the 60s.
It is important not only to identify
the patient’s body-shape concerns,
but also to ensure proper health status,
pre-operative conditioning, and careful
management throughout the postoperative recovery.
This is essential for achieving
more stable and satisfactory results.
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#TummyTuckKorea
#RectusMuscleRepair
#CSectionScarRemoval
#LowerBellySagging
#AbdominalLiposuction
#PelvicFatGrafting
#LesartsPlasticSurgery
#BeforeAndAfter
#BodyContourCorrection
#PostPregnancyBody
#BestTummyTuckClinicInKorea
