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Diastasis After Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by prindeb75 in Columbus, IN
Latest answer by Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Question viewed 3,535 times
Tags: diastasis recti

After having two children, I had a full tummy tuck 2 years ago to repair my stomach muscles and remove excess skin. After thinking I had an umbilical hernia, the surgeon said I have abdominal diastasis. Why did this happen and what should I do now? My plastic surgeon specifically said she was repairing my stomach muscles. However, the general surgeon I saw told me that it is almost impossible to repair them because no procedure will hold them together. Is this true?

14 answers to Diastasis After Tummy Tuck?

Diastasis vs. umbilical hernia

Deb, If you underwent a full tummy tuck 2 years ago, your plastic surgeon indeed repaired the diastasis or separation of the muscles. This repair is usually performed with a permanent suture material and is usually a lifelong result. So, your general surgeon is incorrect. However, diastasis repairs can separate for several reasons. Sometimes the stitches can break or untie, sometimes a dissolving stitch is used, and although rare, the muscle can again separate over time. One more likely... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Diastasis recti explained

Diastasis recti is the lateral separation of the vertically oriented recti abdominus muscles located on either side of your anterior abdomen. A umbilical hernia is essentially a hole through the fascai, or connective tissue, holding the two muscles together around the belly button. Most commonly, a diastasis occurs with pregnancy, and the muscle remains farther apart than normal but there may not be an actual hole around the belly button. This separation is almost routinely, although not... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

I assume you have a bulge after your tummy tuck, and this can definitely be corrected.

To prindeb75, Hi. It sounds like, for whatever reason, you had an unsuccessful abdominoplasty. Unfortunately, the only way to have a flat stomach is to have a revision. If you do have a separation of the rectus muscles (diastasis), this can be permanently repaired. Perhaps the general surgeon is pessimistic because he has seen other bad results. The bulge could also be caused by residual fat, and this can also be corrected.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

They should have fixed your diastasis at the time of the abodminoplasty

PrinDeb77, Your surgeon should have fixed your diastasis at the time of your abdominoplasty - this is an inherent component of the procedure. Whether you had an umbilical hernia or not, the diastasis can be repaired. Diastasis is a weakening of the muscles. During the repair, the edges are sewn back together. If you still have a diastasis, then I would recommend going back to your plastic surgeon and have them explain what they did during your original surgery. Good luck. more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

A well executed abdominoplasty will fix abdominal wall problems.

Almost every patient can have a flat abdomen with an abdominoplasty. It requires repair of the fascia of the abdomen that is painful but necessary for the best result. Only rarely will these repairs fail.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Separation AFTER Tummy Tuck Muscle Repair

In order for a uterus to bring a baby to full term, it needs to grow from the size of a lime to the size of a large watermelon. The only way the body can allow this to happen is by some stretching of the side muscles but mostly through the massive stretching and expansion of the skin and muscles of the front tummy. The six pack (Rectus) muscles are both stretched and split from one another allowing the pregnant uterus to push forward. After delivery, there is NO complete recovery and a... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Diastasis after a tummy tuck

A tummy tuck is a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen and tighten the muscles. If you notice some loosening of the muscle after your tummy tuck, it is possible that some of his teachers that were used to tighten muscle may have loosened. Your best bet is to be evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in abdominoplasty and body contouring techniques. They will be able to determine the cause of this bulge and recommend a treatment... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Tummy tuck and diastasis repair

Weakness of the abdominal wall after pregnancy is usually related to stretching of the fascia or connective tissue that wraps around the rectus muscles. As surgeons we tighten this weakness by pulling the fascia together in the midline and sewing it. The scar tissue that develops from the two sided pulled together, holds the muscles closer to the midline and usually flattens the abdomen.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck repair : Recurrent diastasis

This is a common sentiment shared by several general surgeons and one of the more common reasons that they refer the patients to plastic surgeons. Generally, I have had over 15 years experience with this procedure and it is extremely rare for the diastasis to recur. I also encourage patients to undertake a Pilates style exercise regimen which strengthen and reinforces the core muscles and the repair. However, I have had occasion to see a few recurrences. Some of these are related to early... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck diastasis

I agree with the last physician. The distatsis can be permanently repaired. I also use permanent sutures and that may help make the repair more durable. However, sometimes overzealous exercise can stretch the initial repair making the diastasis reappear.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Diastasis

Diastasis is a relatively common condition relating to stretch of the muscles that normally form the line directly above and below the umbilicus, or belly button. Due to weight gain and loss, pregnancy and other normal hormonal shifts, the definition of the "six-pack" muscles is lost as those two muscles spread apart. During abdominoplasty, many surgeons place a series of stitches to tighten these muscles and help reduce the amount of diastasis between the two muscles, sort of... more

Manish Raj Gupta, MD
Toledo Plastic Surgeon

Your repair could have torn loose

I have never seen a diastasis recti repair tear loose, but conceivably, anything sutured can come loose. The sutures are not actually placed in the muscle, bu are placed in the tough fascia overlying the muscles. I use a nonabsorbable suture material, but some surgeons use a slowly absorbable material that may have absorbed more quickly in your case. If you still have a bulge, you may also have intra-abdominal fat (fat around your intestines). This can only be lost by diet and exercise.... more

William H. Huffaker, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Diastasis of the rectus muscles can be repaired with a secure, long-lasting result

I would differ with the opinion of the general surgeon who you spoke to about this. Plication, or suturing of the inside edges of the rectus muscles, can provide a strong, durable side to side tightening of the muscles. I have not seen a tearing of the sutures used to hold the muscles together following repair. I do not think that it is "impossible" to hold the muscles together. The opposite has been true in my experience. I would trust the opinion of your board certified... more

David N. Hing, MD
Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

I disagree with the general surgeon

"Diastasis recti" is the clinical diagnosis put on the condition where the strength layer that covers the abdominal muscles stretches, and the rectus (6 pack muscles) separate from each other at the vertical midline. This is usually due to the stretching effects of the uterus as the pregnancy advances. This is also one of the main things corrected with an abdominoplasty. During the abdominoplasty, the strength layer over the recti muscles is tightened and the torso is sculpted. ... more