How successful is a tummy tuck with muscle repair in curing diastasis recti? How likely is it that the diastasis will reopen?

Thank you very much for enquire.In my practice in patients with low tone fascia, i make a convensional repair or i use a reinforcing mesh over repair. But the most importantly to prevent muscle damage repair it is to take due care postoperative, in this regard you have to avoid any activity that increase intra-abdominal pressure, that's means avoid efforts like carry much weight or becoming constipated.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Congrats on you children! I know you have your hands full.But diastasis recti is easily repaired with a tummy tuck.  Most common is a 2-layer repair with sutures and mesh is not needed.  It is very unlikely, (almost unheard of),  for the repair to fail or not be successful.  Best of luck!

Thank you for your question and congratulations on the 3 new additions!  A tummy tuck with DR repair is very successful in correcting the separation.  However, there are factors which may reduce  the longevity of the repair.  Sometimes the fascia overlying the muscle has been stretched so much that even after repair it will "relax" a little bit.  Not to the amount of separation before the surgery.  This is just a matter of the quality of the tissue and not with the strength of repair.  Certainly weight gain, unhealthy lifestyle, or another pregnancy could all lead to recurrence.  I have had patients who were asked when were they due?  They weren't pregnant, just that much of a DR!  Choose a plastic surgeon who has experience with wide DR's and look at their pictures.Best WishesDr. Joseph

During the initial weeks after surgery, the sutures placed in the muscles are the only things keeping the muscles together and tight. The sutures and the tissue they're placed in are moderately strong, but cannot withstand extremely high pressure. It is therefore very important that you follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions faithfully, especially regarding body position and activity level. After 7-8 weeks, the muscle has healed and become very strong. The repair can withstand heavy lifting or sit-ups. If the muscle repair is doing well 8 weeks after surgery, the improvement should be permanent unless there are additional factors such as major weight gain or pregnancy. 

Tummy tuck with rectus plication is usually very successful. You should have an excellent outcome. I would go ahead with surgery. Good luck.

I have been in practice for 25 years and I have never seen one of my diastasis recti repairs reopen.  I have done several that have been as wide as yours without any resulting problems.  I think this would be a very rare complication although anything is possible.  I certainly wouldn't let that be a reason for not having the surgery.  I would suggest that you schedule an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine you in person and review your options with you.

I am surprised to hear about a concern for the longevity of a diet stasis rectus repair. I have rarely seen such repairs fail, and failures are usually due to excessive force or exercise early after the operation. In most cases, these repairs are quite permanent.In choosing a surgeon to perform tummy tuck /
abdominoplasty, it's vital that you select a surgeon who is certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery and has extensive experience in body
contouring.

I wish you the best,

Dr. Gabbay.

Thank you for your excellent question.  Diastasis recti is a condition caused by muscle laxity due either to weight gain, or more commonly, pregnancy.  The abdominal muscles have been stretched to the point where they can not spring back and a gap between the muscles remains.  Correction is very common, and can successfully be performed during a full tummy tuck surgery.  Through appropriate activity restrictions after surgery, you should heal the repair with little risk of it failing.  Hope that this helps.   

What an interesting question.  Either through luck or skill or a little of both, I personally have not had to deal with this question.  Rectus muscle separation after a tummy tuck is said to be about 6% in the literature.  Causes for post muscle repair separation include excessive weight gain, exercising too early before complete repair can occur, thin attenuated muscles, and rarely poor surgical technique.It is my personal belief that diastasis recti, once well repaired, will scar into its new tighter position and rarely, if ever, separates.  Therefore, I disagree with the general surgeon who stated they routinely reopen at 10 years. 

Surgical skill and technique are among the most
important factors in ensuring successful, lasting results. Your best option is
to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who has considerable
experience performing tummy tucks and repairing diastasis recti. Following your
surgeon’s guidelines during recovery and restricting your activities
accordingly should prevent any issues. Future pregnancy or significant weight
gain are the only events that could potentially cause a repaired diastasis
recti to reopen. Best of luck to you.