59 Year Old Male - Do I Need Surgery to Remove Diastasis Recti in Order to Lift Weights?

Question

I am a 59 yr. old male with at least a 6 inch diastasis recti running vertically down my abs. I love lifting weights and exercising. Do I need to get this recti fixed before it could cause a hernia or become a hernina. One doctor told me that just repairing it would only be temporary until I sarted to work out again and I could tear it loose again. Another doctor said that is not true. You get it fixed and it will not tear loose when lifting weights. Who is right?

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

A six inch diastasis recti is huge, and usually indicates the patient has had massive weight loss.  More often than not with a large diastasis recti such as that, there are ventral hernias or significant weakness of the abdominal wall that could theoretically limit strenuous exercise.

	I would definitely consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to sort out what is going on and what the recommended exercises restrictions would be for you.

	As always, a thorough history and physical examination possibly with a stress test are indicated before starting strenuous exercise at your age.

Sergio Alvarez, MD · Answer

So in your case, I would want to know more about the etiology of your diastasis. There is no question that any repair could be affected by increasing intra abdominal pressure, however there are options to mitigate this potential. I would go see a board certified plastic surgeon.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  The first step would be to correctly diagnose the bulge as either a rectus diastasis or a hernia.  A large diastasis may make it a bit more difficult to generate intraabdominal pressure to be able to lift heavy weights, but by itself, should not prevent you from lifting weights and exercising.  If it is a hernia, this will limit your ability to work out and can even cause you low back pain.  Repair of a diastasis is considered cosmetic by insurance companies, while most hernia repairs are covered.  Should you wish to have this fixed through a male tummy tuck, you would need to scale back your workouts until you are fully healed, but you should be able to resume all your prior activities, without risk of tearing the repair, at 3-4 months.  Hope this helps.

Christian A. Prada, MD, FACS · Answer

I cannot say Ive actually ever heard of a physician telling their patient that repairing a Diastasis isnt necessary in somebody who works out because of recurrence.  A 6cm defect is pretty large and only contributes to a core weakness when trying to use your abdominal muscles.  I would highly suggest you get these repairs using a permanent suture. Good Luck.

David Stoker, MD · Answer

It is possible that a diastasis repair could tear, but that is very unusual.  Typically you should be able to resume full exercise following a tummy tuck.

Ricardo A. Meade, MD · Answer

A great majority of my patients work out after I do their tummy tucks with muscle plication. With a properly healed plication and tight closure, as would be done in your case, the muscles would not pull apart as long as you wait long enough for it to heal.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

A rectus diastasis is not considered a medical necessary condition. That having been said, some consider it to contribute to lower back pain. When exercising you shoul consider muscle toning using a core strengtheining technique.

Randy Wong, MD · Answer

Your enthusiasm for exercise is to be commended. Yes, correction of large diastasis recti is possible and successful with the use of the newer component separation techniques and/or the use of biological substrates such as Strattice. Seek the advice of a surgeon in your area who is familiar with abdomenal wall reconstruction, your diastasis can be corrected, but it is more involved than just a tummy tuck.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

There is no correct answer. Just because you have a diastasis does not mean that you will have hernia - these are two different conditions. Repairing the diastasis will have the shape of your abdomen and may help the orientation of your muscles. However, after the surgery, you would need to refrain from lifting heavy weights for 6 to 8 weeks to prevent tearing the suture line. If you do not have the diastasis repaired, there is increased risk of it worsening with weight lifting. Good luck.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	I do not think that repair of the diastasis recti  will necessarily prevent the occurrence of herniation. Therefore repair of the muscle separation is purely elective and may improve the contour of the abdomen.

	After the repair/tummy  it will be necessary to abstain from heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks  after surgery.

	Please make sure you are consulting with  experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.

	I hope this helps.

59 Year Old Male - Do I Need Surgery to Remove Diastasis Recti in Order to Lift Weights?

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