I still have diastasis recti after my tummy tuck. Should it be repaired by a general surgeon? (Photo)

Question

I asked if it could be the hernia coming through again( he found umbilical hernia during TT) or diastasis. It's not as noticeable when standing but, it is still a big hard pregnant looking belly. He told me my muscles/ fascia were too thin to bring closer together. He said it would prob require a mesh insert UNDER the muscle, as over doesn't usually work well. He stated he doesn't do that kind of repair, so referred me to Gen surgeon, that might be able to do it laparoscopically.??your input??

Barbara Jemec, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

You can have an on-lay mesh, i.e. the mesh is sutured in place over the repair of the muscles, or an in-lay mesh, i.e. the mesh is under the repair of the muscles.Your in-lay can probably be done laparoscopically, but your muscles needs to be repaired over the mesh - only having the mesh is not enough, so whoever put the mesh in, must repair the muscles too and that has to be done openly. You may need a component separation if the two edges of the recti can't reach. A component separation allows for the different layers of the abdominal wall to be separated and spread out a little to reach further.If I do cases like your, I work with a general surgeon, then you get the best of both and we use Strattice, instead of a synthetic mesh.Recurrent hernias can be tricky to deal with and it may seem like an overkill at first, but if the repair has been done once, it is important you do something different and more aggressive the next time, otherwise you are likely to get the same resultBest of luck

John Dean, MD · Answer

It appears that you had no diastasis repair at all.  I have never heard of anyone having fascia that was too thin to allow for a repair of the diastasis.  Placing mesh laparoscopically is done for hernias, which this is not, and carries significant expense and risk.  I would advise getting an opinion from another plastic surgeon.

Elliot Duboys, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

From your photo, it appears that a diastasis remains.  I agree with my colleagues that I have never hear nor seen a fascia that was too thin to repair.   Other than from an esthetic standpoint, diastasis usually does not cause symptoms.   However, from a cosmetic standpoint you might want to seek counsel from another plastic surgeon.  Best of luck.

I still have diastasis recti after my tummy tuck. Should it be repaired by a general surgeon? (Photo)

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I still have diastasis recti after my tummy tuck. Should it be repaired by a general surgeon? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.