When is a Tummy Tuck Medically Necessary?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, becomes a necessary treatment when a woman, or a man, suffers from abdominal separation (diastasis recti). However, it is most common in women who have been pregnant.

Diastasis means separation and the word recti refers to your ab muscles. So this condition is the separation of the abdominal muscles. The stretching of the uterus or extreme weight gain is what pushes these muscles away from the abdomen causing them to disconnect or separate. While it is possible to get your tummy back to normal after weight loss or pregnancy, it can be a very difficult and long process.

To fix the problem through exercise, you want to push your muscles together while doing tiny crunches in the abdomen to slowly reconnect the muscles. It is important to fix the problem before another pregnancy. If rehab and exercise don’t work because the separation is just too big, that is when it is necessary to have a tummy tuck.

This procedure should not be done if you are planning on having another child or are at an unstable weight. The swelling of the abdomen in pregnancy and weight gain will undo results of the tummy tuck.

Dr. Hovsepian will analyze your need for a tummy tuck, and if medically necessary, most insurance companies will cover the cost. The operation folds and removes excess skins and reconnects the muscles, usually with permanent sutures.

It is important to remember that with a tummy tuck, there will be scarring; however, Dr. Hovsepian will do his best to place incision in easily hidden places such as along the bikini line.

As with any procedure there are certain risks and complications that may arise.  Dr. Hovsepian will be sure to cover everything with you and help you feel confident in your decision to undergo the tummy tuck operation. Call us today to schedule your consultation and we can answer any questions you may have.