How long do I have to wait to get the surgery for my diastasis recti after giving birth?

Once you're physiologically stable after childbirth there is no reason not to have the abdominoplasty. I think most plastic surgeons would had you wait about six months.

Good question.  I think there are a few factors to consider.  First, body changes that happen after childbirth -- you will have some contraction of skin and abdominal wall after delivery, but this should be stabilized by 6 months.  Second, it's going to take a few months to get your energy back, and to physically and mentally be ready for this procedure.  Good luck!

It depends on whether you plan to have any more children in which case you should wait before a tummy tuck or rectus repair. Otherwise, six months after delivery should be sufficient.

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Diastasis recti is not uncommon after childbearing as your abdominal wall exhibits some laxity, which is intended for accommodation of the uterus within your pelvic cavity.  Plication (tightening) of the abdominal wall at the midline serves to correct this. I would suggest waiting at least 3-6 months following delivery in order to allow swelling to subside and your abdominal wall to relax to its pre-gestational state prior to consideration of diastasis recti repair.  Consult with a plastic surgeon to examine and help determine when you would be ready forthis procedure. Hope that this helps. Best wishes!  

The best thing to do is to achieve your baseline weight prior to a tummy tuck. After having children, it may take 6 months to 1 year to lose the pregnancy weight (of course, each patient is different).The best tummy tuck results are achieved when a patient is not planning on having any more children, is medically/psychosocially/financially stable and  have achieved  their  long-term stable weight. Best wishes.

You will get a variety of
answers about how long to wait after childbirth before having a repair of  diastasis recti.  Most ethical plastic surgeons would feel that a patient wait a minimum of 3-6 months.Your
body, including your abdomen is still changing.You
may have not lost all of your pregnancy weight.You
cannot lift the baby postoperatively for weeks after a diastasis recti repair or a full   tummy tuck. The
number of weeks depending on the extent of the procedure performed. You
will need additional support at home to take of the baby as well as you.If you plan on future pregnancies, you
should wait to have surgery until you are done having children, since pregnancy
will stretch out the skin and abdominal muscles again, usually undoing the
repairs that were achieved with the diastasis repair or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).

I would suggest that you find a plastic
surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member
of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust
and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in
person.



Robert
Singer, MD FACS

La
Jolla, California

I typically recommend to my patients that they wait 3-6 months.  This will allow swelling to subside from the pregnancy, and also give you time to loose some of the pregnancy weight.  Good Luck.

I would suggest waiting 3 to 6 months and give yourself time to lose any added weight associated with the pregnancy Dr Corbin

My preference is to wait at least 6 months because most of my patients tell me they see changes in their abdomen for 4-6 months after the birth of their baby.

I usually recommend 3-6 months after childbirth and 3 months after breast feeding, pending clinical evaluation. Average woman gains more than 40 lbs during pregnancy and some may gain more weight afterwards  your BMI should be around 30 at the time of surgery for optimal outcome.