Tummy tuck reduces back pain and incontinence shows recent research

Tummy tuck surgery with muscle repair can improve back pain and urinary incontinence after childbearing, says a study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
The study included 214 women (average age 42 years old) who were having an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with repair of the abdominal muscles.

The women completed questionnaires rating their disability from back pain and urinary incontinence, two common problems after childbearing. Before the operation 51% of women had moderate to severe disability from back pain, and 43% said urinary incontinence was a significant concern.

Follow-up questionnaires were filled out at six weeks and six months after the operation and showed that scores for both problems hugely improved. At six months, only 9% of women still had moderate disability from back pain. Urinary incontinence remained a significant problem for less than 2% of women.

“The results demonstrate that tummy tucks do have functional benefits, as well as cosmetic ones, particularly in the postpartum population,” comments Dr Rod Rohrich, editor in chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “If you are done having children, and still suffering from back pain or incontinence, you may consider an abdominoplasty as a surgical solution.”

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