The causes for sagging tummy after childbirth may be attributed to a combination of redundant skin and lax abdominal muscles that occur due to stretching during pregnancy. In many women, the paired rectus muscles which are normally fused in the midline become separated by a gap, giving rise to a bulge; we call this rectus divarication. Many mummies try to exercise to improve their abdominal muscle tone, but exercise alone often does not help the situation.
The treatment options for sagging tissues around the tummy after pregnancy may be divided to non-invasive and surgical.
Non-invasive options are reserved to when the sagging is mild and purely due to skin excess. These treatments deliver energy in the form of high intensity focused ultrasound (Ultherapy) or radiofrequency to the deeper layers of skin, resulting in a zone of thermal injury. As the body repairs itself, collagen is deposited and the skin tighten, the effects being seen from around six weeks. However, the results from these treatments are subtle and one's expectations should be realistic.
If the amount of redundancy is moderate to severe, or if the sagging is also due to weak muscle tone or rectus divarication, then tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is required. Through an incision that is concealed along the bikini line crease, redundant lower abdominal skin and fat is removed and the abdominal skin pulled taut; depending on the amount of redundancy, the umbilicus may need to be repositioned. This may be combined with liposuction to remove bulges of fat and to aid in re-draping the abdominal skin. At the same time, lax or divaricated abdominal muscles can be tightened with stitches. These dramatically gives rise to a toned and pleasing abdominal contour.
