Can a Tummy Tuck Help with Back Pain?

It may seem counterintuitive to think that a surgery focused on the front of your body —namely, in this case, a tummy tuck — could make a difference in symptoms elsewhere, like back pain. Still, for many patients, back pain relief after tummy tuck surgery is an added and often unexpected benefit. Generally speaking, excess skin and fat on your abdomen can impact your posture, which may lead to back, neck, or shoulder pain. When the added weight of hanging skin or stubborn abdominal fat is removed, patients may adopt better posture naturally, which may alleviate those painful symptoms.

Here, Las Vegas board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Andrew G. Silver and Dr. Terrence "Terry" Higgins of Plastic Surgery Vegas share important information to keep in mind when considering tummy tuck for back pain — including having realistic expectations for your results.

What happens during tummy tuck surgery?

Tummy tuck surgery, formally known as an abdominoplasty, is classified as a body contouring procedure that reshapes a person's midsection primarily by removing loose skin on the lower abdomen — though many tummy tuck procedures include liposuction fat removal, repair of separated abs (diastasis recti), and other enhancements. During the procedure, Dr. Silver or Dr. Higgins will create an incision low on the abdomen, trim away excess skin, perform any other repairs or enhancements needed, and pull the remaining skin taut before closing the tummy tuck incision.

Will I have less back pain after tummy tuck surgery?

Although a tummy tuck doesn't make adjustments to tissue or structures in your back directly, some patients do find that back pain experienced previously may lessen or even resolve after surgery. More specifically, men and women who have back pain caused by poor posture related to the pull of hanging skin or extra abdominal fat — removed or reduced during a tummy tuck — can realize improved posture and, in turn, an improvement in their related back pain and other aches. It's important to keep in mind, however, that a tummy tuck doesn't necessarily mean back pain relief and that musculoskeletal pain may be associated with a number of other issues not addressed through a tummy tuck.

What else does tummy tuck help with?

There are numerous potential benefits of tummy tuck — from aesthetic to functional and even psychological and social. Some of the most exciting changes you may notice after tummy tuck surgery include:

• Flatter stomach
• Reduced muffin top
• Clothes fit better around the midsection and waist
• Improved posture
• Less musculoskeletal pain
• Boosted self-esteem
• More comfort and mobility
• Increased range of movement with exercise

Additionally, you may consider pairing your tummy tuck surgery with other body contouring — perhaps as part of a mommy makeover — for an even more comprehensive improvement in your overall shape, comfort, and confidence.

Look and feel better in more ways than one with tummy tuck surgery in Las Vegas, NV

If you suspect that your back pain or poor posture may be related to excess belly fat or stomach skin, you may be right. To learn more about the potential benefits of tummy tuck — like realizing an improvement in your disruptive symptoms or simply enhancing your look — contact us at Plastic Surgery Vegas to schedule a consultation for Las Vegas tummy tuck surgery with either of our board-certified plastic surgeons, Andrew G. Silver, MD, FACS, or Terrence "Terry" Higgins, MD, FACS.