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Can a Large Diastasis Recti Be Fixed by a Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by Lisarea in Virginia Beach, VA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 1,393 times
Tags: female, diastasis recti

I just can't imagine that this can be repaired to where my stomach would be flat. I would like to hear different opinions as I can't really find anything online about it.

14 answers to Can a Large Diastasis Recti Be Fixed by a Tummy Tuck?

Diastasis can be repaired with tummy tuck

Thank you for including your photo, it helps me in formulating my response. The simple answer is that, yes, a diastasis can be repaired during a tummy tuck. However, how well this repair holds up is dependant on the amount of intraabdominal fat, ie the fat that is inside your abdomen, behind your diastasis. If a diastasis is repaired before adequate weight loss there is a greater chance the repair will fail and the diastasis return. I suggest a balanced diet and a... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck alternatives

Thanks for including the picture. A tummy tuck is capable of fixing a rectus diastasis, but it will unlikely give you a flat abdomen. You would have improvement, but the extent of improvement is limited by intra abdominal fat (under the muscle) which is unchanged by abdominoplasty. Bariatric procedures such as the lap band, gastric bypass, and others will assist with Intra abdominal weight loss, but, most would agree that good old diet and exercise is the best. In... more

Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

A Large Tummy Muscle Separation CAN be Repaired

Your question and photograph touch upon several points. - A large muscle separation CAN be repaired. However, the quality of the duration dependon the absence of inta-abdominal fat AND a good nutritional state without a condition of ongoing coughing. - Obesity is NOT our friend. A significant quantity of fat inside the belly limits the degree of muscle repair (in addition to worsening Diabetes) and a large amount of fat under the skin prevents removal of all excess skin and complete... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Flat stomach after Tummy Tuck

You are right. Your stomach cannot be made flat with a Tummy Tuck. The reason is that you need to lose weight first to reduce the intraabdominal fat which is partially responsible for the prominence of your stomach. This means that your BMI needs to be significantly less than 30 and, preferably, less than 25. Once the excess fat is no longer present under the abdominal muscles (and the diastasis) a Tummy Tuck will flatten your stomach very nicely.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Large diastasis recti can be corrected with tummy tuck.

Hi. Tummy tuck can really produce a flat stomach. The steps are correction of the diastasis, liposuction, and removal of redundant skin and fat.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Large Diastasis Recti Be Fixed by a Tummy Tuck

Yes this can be repaired and I might use a large mesh in addition. Have you seen boarded surgeons to discuss. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Abdominal muscle splitting (rectus diastasis) can be fixed with a tummy tuck

From your photo, it appears as though you may greatly benefit from a tummy tuck followed by liposuction several months afterward. As it's hard to determine the amount of diastasis you have without examining you, I'll take your word that you have some. During a tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are brought together back in the middle and this also leads to a flatter stomach. If you'd like to have an even flatter abdomen, you may want to entertain the idea of... more

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

Diastasis and tummy tuck

One of the benefits to having a tummy tuck is to treat a diastais of themuscles by tightening the overlying fascia. This is in addition to removing the excess skin and fat.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Rectus muscle repair

Based on the photo and the information you provided, you would be a great candidate for a tummy tuck procedure. A standard (full) tummy tuck procedure involves repair of the rectus muscles and removal of excess skin and tissue. Liposuction may be included as well to achieve better body contours. Permanent sutures are used to repair the muscle diastasis. Results may vary depending on the severity and complexity of your personal case. However, in order to achieve the best results possible,... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Abdominoplasty benefits

I think that a very pleasant abdominal contour can be acheived with a full abdominoplasty procedure. This would correct abdominal wall laxity and skin and fat excess.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Weight may cause a higher rate recurrence.

From this limited photograph, it is my opinion that you have a relavtively large component of intrabdominal or visceral fat. Any diastasis repair performed prior to weight loss could result in undue stress on the repair with a higher likelihood of recurrence of the diastasis. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Can you make me skinny with a tummy tuck?

Fat can be present on the inside as well as the outside of the tummy. If you grab the tissues in from of your stomach in your hands and feel how thick it is, that will give you an idea of the stuff that surgeons can fix. If you have an 'apple shape' and there is a lot of fatty tissue inside your tummy, then that means that too many calories are going in, and not enough are getting burned. Google BMI, or better, an online BMI calculator. Enter your height... more

Claudio DeLorenzi, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck versus liposuction

People who have especially slack skin in their midsection need more than what liposuction alone can offer. Typical candidates for a full tummy tuck are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy, women and men who've lost a great deal of weight, menopausal women, or older people with loose skin due to age. In the tummy tuck, the skin from the rib cage down to the pelvic area is tightened, and the navel is moved up and secured in a new position. It used to be that a tuck was the... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

What counts is your weight

A tummy tuck is designed to get rid of extra skin and tighten the muscles. Your weight should be normal -- your BMI should be UNDER 30. So, if you are overwieght, loose the weight first and then do the tummy tuck.