How to You Know if Your Abdominal Muscles Are Split?

In general, if one is performing a full abdominoplasty and has excess skin above and below the abdomen and has had more than one child and there is a diastasis (widening of the rectus muscles from being pregnant) this can be corrected at the same time as the abdominoplasty. Also, diastasis rectus is a cosmetic procedure and certainly is not, unless there is an associated hernia, covered by insurance. The goal is to do abdominal wall re-shaping, contouring as well as liposuction to the back and flank areas to optimize the shape and contour of the female silhouette.

Thank you for your question.

In my experience, most women who have had pregnancies (especially twin pregnancy) do have the muscle separation and benefit from abdominoplasty surgery as well as suturing back the abdominal muscles.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in detail.

Sometime, insurance may cover a panniculectomy but you would need to check with your insurance directly.

I hope this helps.

As Dr. Johnson described, the best way to detect a separation between your abdominal muscles is to place your palm over the midline area of your abdomen while you are doing a sit-up. For a full assessment of your situation and to find out what would be most appropriate for you, I would suggest that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.