Abdominoplasty Reduces Back Pain, Incontinence After Childbearing

Study finds that tummy tucks improve common symptoms after labor and delivery

In addition to restoring the pre-pregnancy shape of the abdomen, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with muscle repair can improve back pain and urinary incontinence after childbearing, reports a study in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Although classified as a cosmetic procedure, tummy tucks improve two of the most common physical complaints experienced by women after childbirth, the new study says.

Common post-childbearing symptoms improve

The study included 214 women who underwent abdominoplasty with repair of the abdominal muscles at nine Australian plastic surgery centers. The women’s average age was about 42 years, with an average of 2.5 deliveries. About 51% of these patients reported moderate to severe disability from back pain, and urinary incontinence was a “significant concern” for about 42%.

After 6 months, only 9% of the women still had moderate disability from back pain, while urinary incontinence remained a significant problem for less than 2%. The improvements in back pain and incontinence were found to be similar regardless of the tummy tuck technique used.

“By reducing the problems of back pain and incontinence, abdominoplasty with rectus repair leads to a better life for women after childbearing,” said lead author Dr. Alastair Taylor of the CAPS Clinic in Deakin, Australia.

Tummy tuck performed as part of mommy makeover

Many women seek Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty surgery to restore the shape and appearance of the abdomen after childbearing. More than 129,000 abdominoplasty procedures were performed in the United States in 2017, according to the ASPS. Tummy tuck is sometimes performed as part of a Mommy Makeover to restore the body’s shape and appearance after childbearing.

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons