11 Months Post Partum What is Wrong with my Stomach? (photo)

Looking at your photos, you're still in great shape since having a child! You still have fantastic muscle definition. You can certainly tell that you were very fit prior to having a child. However, because you mentioned that you used to have a six-pack, you probably feel that your current state (as you are in your photos) isn't satisfactory. Unfortunately, it appears that while you don't have much fat, you may have some amount of rectus diastasis ("split abs" as you stated).  This is what may be causing the slight bulge in your lower abdominal area.

Please refrain from doing intense abdominal workouts, because it can worsen diastasis. You can wait a few more months to see if this will resolve itself. If it doesn't, the only way to repair this with plastic surgery is a tummy tuck. Please speak to a plastic surgeon to find out if a tummy tuck is appropriate for you. The best of luck!

Give yourself more time. Walking/running is best exercise, as well as crunches. The key is to give yourself at least a year to recover.You will probably still have some loose skin, and surgery can help if you can't get back, but give yourself time.

Great you have become so fit after your child! If I saw a picture of you before children it would help! My best guess is that you have lost some skin elasticity an have a component of rectus diastasis. Good Luck

Thank you for your question and for providing the photos. While it is impossible to make a precise diagnosis without an actual exam, it does look like you have some muscle laxity. You are clearly in great shape and have lost all of the pregnancy related weight. However, there are changes that occur to the abdominal wall musculature which are impossible to correct with diet and exercise alone. This creates the lower belly bulge that you are seeing.

During the pregnancy, the rectus muscles become both separated and stretched. Further loss of tone can occur if a c-section is needed. The only way to correct this in many cases is with surgical tightening of the muscles. In your case, this may be possible with a mini tummy tuck.

If you are concerned about your belly, I would suggest consulting with a plastic surgeon. They can examine your abdomen and discuss the options with you.

Best of luck with your belly.

Jeff Rockmore 

Hi,  You are obviously in good shape.  Your pregnancy did the typical wear and tear on your body but you are still in good shape.  You are holding in your stomach as seen in the subcostal dimpling.  This is where the muscles give the telltale signs of not relaxing your abdominal muscles.  If you let out your abdomen muscles, you will see more of a "potty" look but that is not too important.  Right now, with your past history of a  "6 pack etc", you have the ability to gain tone in the vertical direction and this is  very likely.  This will tighten vertically and give more support to your abdomen in spite of the diastasis that you have.  You might relate to the moms who compete in body building competition...."how do they get that abdomen after pregnancy?"  The answer is that they work like crazy to get it.  However, you will see pics of some of these contestants with diastasis rectii.  If you find you cannot get the contours you want through exercise, then there could be some suggestions that a qualified plastic surgeon would give.  It is great that you are this small and have only these changes (although it is disturbing to you as you had the very  tight abs).    Good luck with it all,       Steven M. Lynch, M.D.