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Can You Die from Having Surgery on Your Diastasis Recti?

asked 9 months ago by TRG in Newark, NJ
Latest answer by Christine Sullivan, MD
Question viewed 189 times
Tags: death, diastasis recti, risk

Hi Im going in for surgery on Tuesday. Im afraid my Dr. stated that I had hernia and when I went to see this general surgeon he said that I had diastasis recti and that he was gonna cut me up and down above my belly button, tuck it and put some mesh on it. I have been trying my best to get some answers and I havent found any and Im really scared. All I wanna know is if you can die from this surgery and what are the after effects?

7 answers to Can You Die from Having Surgery on Your Diastasis Recti?

+1

Surgical fears

Let me assure you that your fear is normal. Fear typically comes from lack of education about the subject. I would advise you to consult with your board certified plastic surgeon regarding your questions and concerns. You may find it easier to reach your surgeon's nurse who should be able to answer your questions and put you at ease thus eliminating fear. Best of luck!
Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is normal to be worried

It is normal to be worried before surgery. In most cases, it is the first time you will be in an operating room and, with cosmetic surgery, you are not sick or in dire need of the surgery. It is an elective process that you are choosing to do. With a diastasis recti, you do not need to be cut "up and down" by the general surgeon. Your plastic surgeon can repair your diastasis through an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) incision. If your plastic surgeon is... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

A plastic surgeon can repair the diastasis with the tummy tuck

I'm surprised you are seeing a general surgeon. Most experienced plastic surgeons can repair a diastasis recti (splaying of the rectus muscles) at the same time as the abdominoplasty. General surgeons tend to leave scars on the abdomen. Plastic surgeons are trained to hide the scar below your bikini line. Usually mesh is not necessary unless you have a very unusual situation. You may wish to get an opinion from another surgeon, preferably a plastic surgeon... more
Eric Swanson MD

Leawood Plastic Surgeon

www.swansoncenter.com

+1

Fear of dying with diastasis recti repair or hernia repair.

You need to speak with your surgeons, for you seem to have unfounded concerns, as well as misunderstanding of the exact problem(s) and proposed solution(s). Let's do a bit of basic explanation first. Diastasis recti is stretching of the rectus abdominis muscle sheath (the gristle or fascial layer that surrounds the six-pack muscles in the abdomen). These muscles are the ones that are stretched apart with pregnancy, obesity, and occasionally other rare conditions such as collagen... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Complications from abdomial wall plication

Hello, Although plastic surgery is safe, especialy when performed properly there are some real risks involved. The most serious complication of a tummy tuck could be considered to be DVT which is deep vein thrombosis or bloot clots in the leg. These can dislodge and travel up to the lungs (pulmonary embolism PE). If these clots are big enough you can have serious cardiopulmunary complications including death. To minimize the chance of this patients... more
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fear of proposed hernia repair during an abdominoplasty

The procedure that you are planning to undergo is extremely common, not of a high risk and has been performed for years as standard procedure. With that said, there are always risks for any surgical procedure no matter how minor it is. The reality is that the threat that this procedure poses to your existence is extremely small. You should contact your general surgeon (and even your plastic surgeon) prior to your surgery so that you can have your questions and concerns answered and your... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

All surgery has risks that should be discussed before surgery!

It is common to feel anxious before surgery if you still have unanswered questions. The best source of advice is always your surgeon and their team that is performing your surgery - not the internet and not your well intentioned friends. All procedures have risks. Your proposed surgery is very common and likely to have no problems. However, your risks are unique to your situation. Each surgeon has their own approach to educating patients about the risks of surgery. In... more
Mathew C. Mosher, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosher.com

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