Perform abdominal muscle tightening without tummy tuck?

[anon553]

Can you perform abdominal muscle tightening without a tummy tuck? For example, could you just tighten them through the belly button???

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Yes, this has been done via endoscopic surgery -- but only in select cases -- and by only a few surgeons in this country.  In the vast majority of cases, the skin has to be tightened (ie a tummy tuck) in some way.

I do not perform this type of surgery -- I am truly not pleased with the results.

Dr Jacobs

[DrBermant]

Can you perform abdominal muscle tightening without a tummy tuck? For example, could you just tighten them through the belly button???

A few surgeons advocate an endoscopic technique where they claim that they can tighten the muscle through a surgical scope and long instruments and a small incision. I have never liked the results they showed and have managed complications form patients unhappy with that type of repair. For myself, I prefer to adjust the tension of the muscles / fascia with each suture. This requires a hand tie for each knot. The muscle fascia sculpture is also something I prefer to control carefully under direct observation. You can see graphic Pictures of this repair of the muscles and fascia during tummy tuck surgery here. Loose muscles and fascia are usually accompanied by loose skin. Repair of loose muscles often results in more loose skin. I have also seen disasters from doctors attempting to tighten loose skin through a belly button incision only.

We have really been excited over the past decade with the comfort and early recovery of our Tumescent Tummy Tuck.  You should take the time to browse through the pictures and videos of this technique.
 
Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty Surgery