Is Tummy Tuck a Good Solution for Diastasis Recti?

If you had massive weight loss and need skin excised along with a muscle repair, a tummy tuck is indicated. If you don't have skin excess, a limited incision or endoscopic muscle repair can be done. Generally though, most patients with what you describe would just exercise and avoid surgery. Having a rectus diastasis doesn't make you a ticking time bomb for back problems, umbilical hernias or core instability long term.

Thank you for the question. Based on your description (and without the benefit of examining you in person) I would not suggest surgery for the the diastasis recti if you're otherwise satisfied with the appearance of your abdomen. There is no study to show that this repair will prevent any problems in the future. If you're still concerned you may want to visit with a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

A 1-2 finger breadth diastasis is within normal limits and would not be an indication for abdominoplasty. Unless you have other concerns, such as love handles or skin laxity which you would like a plastic surgeon to address, surgery would not be necessary.

All males have some 'diastasis recti'. Unless you get very fat, it won't separate more than about 2 cm (normal). When I do a female tummy tuck, I always narrow the diastasis, which has usually been stretched by pregnancy. Not a male problem unless you have been obese. If you've been thin, stick with exercise to maintain your 'core balance'.

You sound very knowledgeable about rectus diastasis. And my impression of you is that you're probably in good physical shape. If this is true there's no need to repair the diastasis. If the strength of the muscles is good repair of the diastasis won't do anything for you. Normal width between the muscles can be up to 1.5cm. If you are having problems with pseudoherniation than that would also be an indication to fix the problem.

It is not likely that this diastasis will amount to much. Of course, if you have multiple pregnancies this can become considerably worse. Barring that, there is no guarantee that repairing a diastasis will necessarily prevent back pain or umbilical hernias. I would advise that you contemplate core strengthening excercises to enhance your abdominal wall function and aesthetics. Of course if you decide to proceded, there are methods of repairing the diastasis firberoptically or endoscopically... more

A tummy tuck (AKA abdominoplasty) is often combined with treatment of diastasis rectii. However, the treatment of diastasis rectii is in fact, repair of diastasis rectii. Repairing a diastasis is not mandatory, but will improve the appearance of the abdomen. Diastasis rectii does not cause the development of an umbilical hernia. Furthermore, I am not aware of any studies correlating a diastasis rectii with lower back problems, or problems with stability & core strength. If you are... more

Agent Brice, The internet can be a dangerous source of information. Yours is a case in point. Diastasis recti can be a very natural condition. In fact, the distance between the rectus muscles varies from individual to individual and can be widened by pregnancy. There is no indication that a diastasis is related to lower back pain or the development of umbilical hernia. Unless you have a frank abdominal or umbilibal hernia, leave it alone. EVERYTHING we do has consequences. more

Every male will have a little separation or distance between the rectus muscles. If you have only one to two fingers distance, you are normal. Most men can not feel this. There is no indication to do any surgery because there is no expected problem that will come from this finding that you have noticed. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson

Diastasis recti is not thought to cauyse instability of the back. However, it does cause widening of the waist, a wedge shaped protrusion when women do situps or flex at the waist, and loss of umbilical floor, resulting in umbilical deformity. In women who have little or no extra skin, but do have a diastasis recti or bulge from pregnancy, the Hybrid Tummy Tuck (TM) may be an ideal solution. This involves a C-section type incision and full rightening of the diastasis, up to the umbilicus... more

A tummy tuck is designed to get rid of the excess skin between the belly button and pubis, while we are at it, we repair the diastasis recti. If all you have is a diastasis, most plastic surgeons would not repair it alone, you need to have extra skin. Women have extra skin after child birth or men and women will have the skin after massive weight loss. If all you have is a small diastasis leave it alone.

Rectus diastasis as you may know is not a hernia but separation between the two rectus muscles. Stomach strengthening exercises may help with lower back issues. Having said that, a tummy tuck in general removes skin and also tightens the fascia over lying the rectus muscles. So yes it can help in repairing the rectus diastasis. The trade off is the incision required in the lower abdominal area. You have to prepared for such an incision prior to undergoing the surgery. Good luck.... more