Can a Tummy Tuck Reduce Back Pain?

While tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is typically considered cosmetic in nature, the procedure is also known to provide significant improvement for certain functional concerns, including back pain in some patients. Often performed as part of the overarching mommy makeover treatment plan, tummy tuck surgery is a popular procedure for mothers wanting to address loose abdominal tissue and repair abdominal muscles that have separated due to pregnancy. As an additional benefit, many women find that they are able to reduce chronic pain in their lower back.

While postpartum back pain often lessens over time, some women have lasting discomfort that won’t seem to improve with weight loss or other lifestyle changes. Tummy tuck surgery can often be an effective solution to both their cosmetic concerns of a protruding abdomen and their functional concerns relating to back pain. This is accomplished as the muscles in the abdomen are repaired (restoring their ability to work properly) and extra tissue no longer weighs down the lower abdomen (relieving strain on the back muscles and joints). Tummy tuck surgery can also be combined with liposuction if patients have stubborn fatty tissue contributing to a bulging stomach and back pain.