Can liposuction cause diastasis recti?

Question

I had bad scar tissue from abdominal liposuction, so my new ABS surgeon said he was going to break up scar tissue with a cannula and fat graft. I didn't have pain before. When I woke up something was wrong, i had extreme burning from my belly button down to my pelvis. It felt like I was stabbed. It's been 7 months and it still burns and hurts and I have this bulge i never had. It looks like I'm pregnant. I think I have diastasis recti, is that even possible? Can a cannula cause diastasis recti?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear VeniceGirl,
it is unlikely that your surgeon injured your abdominal muscles and caused diastasis recti. I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The liposuction cannula used by almost all surgeons is blunt and by its very nature is made to not cause damage to the underlying fascial and muscle layers and the internal organs.  The risk of puncture is probably 1:1500 or less.  An exam would be necessary to evaluate your bulge.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

you need a formal evaluation and I suggest posting other photos. liposuction alone cannot cause muscle diastasis but I do not see improvement in your photos shown here.You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

No, liposuction cannot cause diastasis recti. You should certainly discuss this with your surgeon or obtain a second opinion.

Nirmal Nathan, MD · Answer

Dear VeniceGirl,Thank you for your question. Liposuction should not produce a diastasis recti. It can produce bulges and depressions in certain areas that can mimic a diastasis. Best regards,Nirmal R. Nathan, M.D.
  
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
  Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  Real Self Hall of Fame

Can liposuction cause diastasis recti?

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Can liposuction cause diastasis recti?

Answers (10)

Answer: Can liposuction cause diastasis recti?

Answer: Can liposuction cause diastasis recti?

Answer: Liposuction Results

Answer: Liposuction Results

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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