What Can I Expect From Diastasis Recti Repair Surgery as a Male Bodybuilder?

A "diastasis" of 1/2 - 1 inch without other history of obesity and weight loss (or pregnancy, as in women, which can cause widening of the midline) is normal, as you can see in many photos of competitive male bodybuilders.  The range of normal is broad, as is the variation in the shape of the abdominal muscles.  Surgery to correct this would potentially alter the appearance of your abdominal musculature, making it look abnormal due to narrowing or obliteration of the midline.  I have treated female bodybuilders who have required narrowing of a wide midline after child-bearing, but this would be highly unusual in a male.  I have also seen a woman bodybuilder, who had a "regular" tummy-tuck by a surgeon who did not attend to the woman's bodybuilding activities, and the result was disastrous for her.  

 

Without seeing photos of your abdomen, it's hard to say definitively how normal or abnormal your situation is, but as a former bodybuilding competitor and current judge, I would approach any change in your musculature with great caution.

I generally recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity (no exercise) for 4 to 6 weeks after tummy tuck. After six weeks, I encourage patients to slowly resume exercise routines *gradually*. Remember, during the six week postoperative period - you will be deconditioned. I do prepare patients do notice some increased swelling once exercise is resumed. Over the next several weeks, this post-exercise edema will no longer manifest. Exercise itself will not help reduce this swelling.  If swelling manifests during your workout routine, you may benefit from use of compression garments.   But please check with your surgeon with respect to his/her specific recommendations.  Enjoy your results!

Dr. Basu

Metal,

A separation in the rectus muscles of 1/2 inch in a male is not considered a diastasis.  There is a natural separation in the muscles that needs to be present to give the "six pack" appearance.  From your description, I would not recommend surgery for you.