Many patients mistakenly believe a tummy tuck can only provide the aesthetic benefits of a flatter, toned tummy. However, the cosmetic procedure has lesser known health benefits and can provide a means of treating chronic back pain for some patients.

What Does a Tummy Tuck Do?

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure involving the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen to reveal a flatter, more contoured tummy.

For patients who have undergone pregnancy and childbirth or have recently lost a significant amount of weight, the abdominal muscles can become strained and separated, a condition known as diastasis recti.

A tummy tuck can involve the realignment, tightening, and reinforcement of these abdominal muscles. Overall, this helps to strengthen the core and alleviate symptoms of associated health conditions, such as back pain and poor posture.

Tummy Tuck and Back Pain

Good spinal health relies on support and stability from the abdominal muscle groups. When these muscles are weakened, the spine can become strained, causing pain and discomfort for patients.

As a tummy tuck can help to repair this muscle separation, many patients report significant improvements in their back pain following the procedure.

Factors that Cause Back Pain

Back pain may be caused by weakened core muscles that have led to instability in the spine. However, it’s important to note that back pain can be caused by a range of conditions that warrant alternative treatment than a tummy tuck.

Accordingly, patients should rule out causes such as nerve damage, herniated disks, and arthritis, among others, to ensure that a tummy tuck is right for them and their needs.

Types of Back Pain a Tummy Tuck Treats

During a consultation, your surgeon will perform a thorough assessment to determine your suitability for a tummy tuck to treat your back pain.

In general, a tummy tuck can treat back pain associated with abdominal muscle separation, often caused by pregnancy or significant weight loss.

How Does a Tummy Tuck Improve Back Pain?

A tummy tuck can involve the realignment and tightening of the abdominal muscles to strengthen the core. In doing so, this boosts spinal health by providing greater support and stability. It is for this reason that many patients report improvements in back pain and posture after undergoing a tummy tuck with muscle repair.

Other Medical Benefits of Tummy Tuck

Improved Posture. On top of improvements in back pain after a tummy tuck, a reinforced and better-supported spine can result in better posture for patients.

Fixing a ventral hernia. A tummy tuck can correct a ventral hernia. This is when the intestine or abdominal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall, creating a sack. A ventral hernia is caused by a range of reasons, including abdominal weakness from weight loss, an appendectomy, or a C-section. A tummy tuck can rectify a ventral hernia by strengthening the muscles in the abdomen.

A tummy tuck with abdominal muscle repair can help to support the pelvic floor, which is particularly useful in treating incontinence caused by childbirth.

Is a Tummy Tuck Worth It?

Repairing muscle separation in a tummy tuck can help to alleviate back pain and, in doing so, improve patients’ quality of life. In addition, A tummy tuck can deliver an aesthetically pleasing, flatter, and more toned abdomen. It’s for these reasons that many patients consider a tummy tuck to be a worthwhile endeavour.

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic

If you are looking to tighten and tone your tummy, our expert body contouring surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo . Specialising in surgeries from the neck down, Dr Tillo has the expertise necessary to design and perform bespoke tummy tucks for his patients.