What do laughing and sneezing have to do with a tummy tuck?

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a common type of bladder control problem in women characterized by uncontrollable leakage of urine with increased abdominal pressure. It is triggered by physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, exercise and laughing. Postpartum stress urinary incontinence can occur even among women who have given birth to only one child. It is an important and often overlooked post-pregnancy condition common in women who’ve had a vaginal delivery.

There are surgical treatments available today that involve the application of a tension-free vaginal mesh tape to provide support for a sagging urethra. This helps the urethra remain closed so that when move vigorously or suddenly there is no accidental release of urine.

However, results from several studies have suggested that certain individuals with urinary incontinence could benefit from a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that helps patients flatten their abdomen by removing loose skin and/or excess fat and tighten muscles in the abdominal wall.

What does one have to do with the other? In some abdominoplasty procedures in which sufficient soft tissue in the pelvic area is pulled up, this creates a slight pull that suspends the urethra, creating a slight bladder outlet obstruction to reduce incontinence.