“Tupler Technique works! TT is cancelled!!”

Hi there! I just found this site tonight and I've been devouring it for hours. I'm excited to learn from all of you! I am 34 years old and mom of 2 great little boys-- ages 5.5 and 2.5. I am 5'2" and currently 111 lbs. This is close to the 109lbs I was before my 2nd son was born, but still a ways away from the 105 lbs I was before my 1st son was born... maybe someday.

My body bounced right back after my first son was born. I had my 6 pack back by the time he was 2-- so nice! Unfortunately, I was not as lucky the 2nd time around. I was left with diastatis-- about 2-2.5" I would say-- and my ab muscles don't work at all. This has caused all sorts of problems for me. I have scoliosis already, so my back pain, particular my lower back, is horrible.

For example, I was leaning over shaving my legs in the shower with a foot up on the seat. I went to stand up a minute later when that leg was done and was locked up for about 30seconds with my back screaming in pain. I'm only 34 and in good physical shape. That is not acceptable! But that is what lack of a strong core will do... In addition, other muscles try to compensate and I often end up with pulled chest muscles, like when sneezing or screaming at football games. In addition, I also have an umbilical hernia which gets painful when I'm gassy or when I've had 2-3 beers. I tried physical therapy for 6 months to try to get the muscles to go back together, but no such luck. My physical therapist and I decided surgery was my only option. I have to have SOME surgery to get the umbilical hernia fixed anyways, so might as well go all in... That decision was made back in July 2011, but my surgery is not scheduled unti March because that seems like a good time to be out of commission and also my mom can come stay with us for 2 weeks then.

So that's the plan. My worry is: while the physical change will be nice (I do have a little bit of loose skin that I'm excited to have go away), what I really want is for my ab muscles to work again, to have a strong core, and maybe, if everything goes my way, to finally work my way back to a 6 pack at some point in my life. Unfortunately, my PS will not give me any firm commitment that this will happen. All he will say is "theoretically it will improve because the muscles will be the right length in the right position" etc. But if I am going to go through this type of invasive procedure and painful recovery, I want some sort of guarantee or as close as I can get to it, that my ab FUNCTIONALITY will improve. My PS said that, unfortunately, that type of info is not typically tracked at post-op appts so he cannot say for sure.

I'd love to hear from anyone out there who might have been in a similar situation if their muscle functionality improved and if it improved enough to make it worth it. Also, if it relieved back pain for you? Well, anyways, that's me. If anyone has any thoughts on muscle functionality improvement that might give me a little more confidence going into this surgery, I'd really appreciate it. I'll post before pics as soon as I have a chance to take some. ;)

Updated on 24 Jan 2012:
I am having so many second thoughts now!! I just spent last week in Cancun on vacation, most of it in a bikini on the beach. (See picture below). I do not feel that I need cosmetic improvements at all. I know my belly isn't perfect, but it is good enough for me. I like myself the way I look now. My husband likes the way I look now and that is all that matters from a physical appearance stand point to me.

I really really want my ab muscles to work again and for my back pain to go away, I am just not convinced that this surgery will work. What if I go through all of this pain and torture of recovery and my abs still don't work the way they are supposed to? And my back pain still doesn't go away? Then my belly will look all weird and different than the way it does now that I am currently happy with. Especially if there is going to be a visible scar...

I have looked everywhere and talked to everyone and no one can tell me that this surgery will for sure improve my muscle function and back pain.

I scheduled another (3rd!) consultation with my surgeon to talk to him again-- we've already talked for ~3 hours over the course of my last 2 appointments. I also scheduled a consultation with a different plastic surgeon in the hopes that he might have something different to tell me.

Does anyone out there have any thoughts or advice for me???? I am just so confused and don't know where else to go for information...

Updated on 7 Feb 2012:
Someone on this site suggested that I look into the Tupler Technique-- a series of exercises to close diastasis without surgical intervention. I had a Tupler technique trainer come to my house about 1.5 weeks ago to teach me the exercises, fit me for a splint, etc. My measurements were as follows:

Diastasis 3" above belly button: 3"
Diastasis at belly button: 3 3/4" and deep
Diastasis 3" below belly button: 2"

Waist 3" above belly button: 28"
Waist at belly button: 29 1/4"
Waist 3" below belly button: 31 1/2"

I did the exercises religiously for a week and wore my splint 24/7 with the exception of showering and running (I didn't want to get it sweaty). She came back after 1 week and remeasured me. The results were astounding.

After just 1 week, my measurements are as follows:

Diastasis 3" above belly button: 1 3/4"
Diastasis at belly button: 2 1/4" and shallow
Diastasis 3" below belly button: 1 3/4"

Waist 3" above belly button: 27"
Waist at belly button: 28 3/4"
Waist 3" below belly button: 31"

In addition, my umbilical hernia is significantly smaller. It feels significantly smaller and looks it as well. Also, when I push it in, it stays that way for a period of time, instead of just popping right back out like it used to.

Unfortunately, I cannot make a comment about back pain because the Tupler Technique works your back muscles as well. So I don't know if my back is still just sore as it has always been or if it is getting better and the soreness I feel is from the exercises. So that is a wash...

I am very encouraged by these results, at the same time, I am a little worried about if I can get the diastasis COMPLETELY closed like this and the hernia COMPLETELY gone. I also already have the surgery scheduled, the time planned off of work, and $5k set aside in my pretax healthcare spending account to help pay for the surgery. Additionally, there is no way I will do this surgery in the summer because I refused to be cooped up in the house during the glorious Chicago summer months. I also would prefer to avoid football season (too much screaming. Go Blue!) and the holidays. So, if I am going to do it, now is the time.

I just want to do whatever I can to avoid the pain of the TT. And that scar. I am happy with the way my belly looks right now, I just want my back to stop hurting.

I am going to see a 2nd PS today for another consultation to get his take on things. I am frustrated because most PS don't seem to know anything about muscles. Evidence: I asked a question about muscle functionality post TT to the Doctors on this board and have gotten ZERO responses. Real nice... I get that there job is more cosmetic in nature, but if they do alot of TTs with MRs they should know ALL ABOUT ab muscle functionality. It makes me trust them less that they don't. How are they going to operate on something that they know nothing about???

So, anyways, I go to see a different PS this afternoon and then my PS tomorrow after to get their perspective on my new results. Then, it is just a matter of making the call by Friday-- which is something only I can do, I know. but I love getting others' perspectives. So if you've got thoughts, please share them.

Updated on 9 Mar 2012:
Well, I've been doing the Tupler Technique for almost 5 weeks now and I have had GREAT success so far. I still have a bit more to go, but I am seeing good enough results that I decided to cancel my TT. This makes me really happy because instead of being 3 days post op and miserable right now, I am feeling great and looking forward to my weekend.

My diastasis above, at, and below the belly button is less than 1" in all three places. In fact, the separation above my belly button is almost completely closed up.

I still have a slight umbilical hernia, but it seems to be getting smaller still too. I am really hoping it goes away completely. I am going to keep at the Tupler Technique and it should. If not, I will have to have the laproscopic surgery to get that corrected, but I think I will be able to avoid that too.

I guess overall i am so grateful someone on this site suggested the Tupler Technique to me as it appears to have allowed me to completely avoid surgery and I am thrilled. Thanks!!