You may already be familiar with the benefits of tummy tuck surgery: it produces a flatter, firmer abdominal profile by removing surplus fat and skin, and repairing weakened or separated muscles. A new study revealed an unexpected additional benefit of tummy tuck: possible cure of urinary incontinence.
According to the results of a study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, researchers found that the majority of patients noted improvement in their incontinence symptoms.
A team led by Dr. James D. McMahan, a plastic surgeon in Columbus, Ohio, surveyed a group of individuals that underwent abdominoplasty for cosmetic reasons. Half of those patients reported incontinence preoperatively. Sixty percent of those patients noted an improvement in their symptoms (leakage or wetting accidents). The other 40 percent did not report an improvement in their symptoms.
Patients who did not have a previous C-section were more likely to experience an improvement in incontinence symptoms after tummy tuck.
How does tummy tuck surgery affect urinary function? Dr. McMahan speculated that, “in some of the abdominoplasty procedures where we pull up on the skin, we may get enough of a pull on the urethra to reduce hypermobility and incontinence.”
How This Could Help You
Dr. McMahan said that further research of the phenomenon, perhaps a urodynamic study, is needed to further identify who can expect this tummy tuck benefit.
In the future, if research is able to pinpoint who, exactly, will see improvement in incontinence symptoms, a larger group of women may reap the benefits.
If you are a mother, are unhappy with the appearance of your post-baby abdomen and have developed related incontinence symptoms (involuntary urinating/leaking while laughing, coughing, sneezing or exercising), you may be able to avoid having separate treatments for these issues. Tummy tuck could address both!
Considering Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Perhaps you are interested in tummy tuck purely for cosmetic reasons. We can certainly accommodate you at the practice of Dr. Eric Pugash.
Generally, tummy tuck candidates are individuals who:
- Have surplus fat and skin in the abdomen due to pregnancy, experience significant weight fluctuations, are aging or have certain genetic factors
- Have tried to lose excess weight with diet or exercise
- Are at or within 25 pounds of their ideal weight
- Do not plan to become pregnant in the future
- Are in good general health
- Have reasonable expectations of surgery
All potential candidates are encouraged to consult with Dr. Pugash so he can determine whether tummy tuck is a suitable solution to their needs.
Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation
To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, please call Dr. Pugash’s office at (604) 522-5199 and schedule an appointment.