Emsculpt or tummy tuck? Which one can help with diastasis recti?

Hi Khutchinson,Congratulations on your twins.  I would recommend waiting for some time before considering extensive tummy tuck surgery.  Exercise, diet, and time should help some with your diastasis recti.  If after time the separation of your abdominal muscles remains large, then abdominoplasty is the answer.  It there is a great deal of improvement and your diastasis recti is minimal then Emsculpt will help.  Time will tell.  Enjoy the new members of your family.  Good luck and be well.Dr. P

Thank you or your question and your photos. Congratulations on your bundles of joy. Having twins significant  changes your body and your abdominal muscles.  You most definitely will get great results and also repair diastasis recti with Tummy tuck surgery. You seen to have a very athletic body and have been taking care of it as well. You just had 2 babies and your body is still recovering. I do not believe that going for invasive procedure under general anesthesia so soon post part is safe or recommended.  EmSculpt is not surgery, It is FDA cleared and does show an improvement of Diastasis recti  but by only 11-12%. You should treat it as a targeted abdominal core work out that will help tone your muscle. You can always start with the best non invasive modality for a couple of months and if it not giving you the results you want and you are physically and emotionally and financially ready for a tummy tuck, then you should go for it. Hope this helps. Good luck. Best, Dr.Avaliani

Congratulations on the birth of your twins. If you have a significant degree of rectus diastasis, which your photos suggest, you would benefit the most from a formal diastasis repair during an abdominoplasty. An abdominoplasty would also do the best job of addressing the associated skin laxity. Also, you can have more children after an abdominoplasty but some of the work will be "undone" again by re-stretching your tissues. 

Thanks for the question, I have found that many thin woman like you respond really well to the emsculpt and that along with core exercising can make a big difference. Tummy tucks are great but its a big scar with a month of downtime and risks, some patients like to try the non invasive option before they do something dramatic because if they choose a tummy tuck later they are mentally satisfied they have attempted everything else

The pathophysiology of diastasis rectus is separation of the rectus muscles.  It is not a true hernia, but results in paradoxical motion of the abdomen wall.  Mild cases may respond to exercise and perhaps also to Emsculpt.  In my experience, most patients with moderate or worse diastasis are best treated with muscle plication at the time of a tummy tuck.  

The bulging in your side view is the result of damage to your support layer called fascia from your twins.  Nothing other than mechanically reinforcement will solve your problems.  If you are not planning future pregnancies, I recommend abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement.  The mesh creates a more hourglass figure by compressing the abdominal wall resulting in early satiety and helps maintain a reduced weight.    Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hello,Thank you for your question and pictures. First of all, congratulations on your new little ones! Based on what can be seen in the pictures it does appear that you would be a candidate for CoolSculpting and EmSculpt. It would be best to start with CoolSculpting to minimize the amount of fat in the area. Then you can treat with EmSculpt. These treatments will absolutely provide improvement but they won't be as drastic as surgery. It is best to get a consult with a plastic surgeon as well as a CoolSculpting/Emsculpt provider to determine what the best course of action will be for you! Best of luck!

Dear khutchison84,based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

based on your photos I would consider you a good candidate for a full abdominoplasty with muscle repair. The non surgical treatments will not bring your muscles together which is what surgery will accomplish 

From your photos you would require a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck would address your diastasis and the loose skin. Make sure you see a board certified Plastic Surgeon.