Middle of stomach sinking in around belly button after giving birth? (Photo)

Question

It's been over a year since I gave birth, not really bothered by my stretch marks but why are the areas around my belly button sinking in, and my belly button sticking out? I believe I have diastasis recti? Could a tummy tuck fix this?

Chad Deal, MD · Answer

Yes, you are correct. The “sinking in” is from diastasis recti. As significant as yours is, it is very likely to have to be repaired along with an abdominoplasty. This will not only fix the extra and damage skin, but also the indentation in your abdomen.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

You are correct in saying you have diastasis recti. This means your paired vertically oriented rectus abdominus muscles have separated from one another causing your abdomen to look the way it does. A tummy tuck will fix this. In performing a tummy tuck, the rectus abdominus muscles are brought back together into a "youthful" re alignment. This should improve the appearance of your belly button and the tissues around it. Obtain a consultation from a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss further.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

Your umbilicus appears to be protruding in a sea of retruded skin. It appears your fascia under your skin is stretched as is your skin. You would benefit by a skilled abdominoplasty or tummy tuck to fix your fascia, belly button hernia and improve your excess stretched out skin. See a board certified general surgeon or plastic surgeon concerning your hernia. Good luck....r

Gregory T. Lynam, MD · Answer

This is what we call rectus diastasis. The two vertical rectus muscles were stretched during your pregnancy and did not go back together. A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which you may be interested in. Please see a board certified plastic surgeon for consultation. Good Luck!

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

People who have especially slack skin in their midsection
need more than what liposuction alone can offer. Typical candidates for a full
tummy tuck are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy, women and men
who've lost a great deal of weight, menopausal women, or older people with
loose skin due to age. In the tummy tuck, the skin from the rib cage down to
the pelvic area is tightened, and the navel is moved up and secured in a new
position. Alternatively, a mini-tummy tuck is especially effective for people
who look pretty good from the navel up. The main difference between the 2
procedures is that the mini-tummy tuck doesn't require moving or reconstructing
the navel and the incision is shorter than the one made in a full tummy tuck.

Pregnancy induced rectus diastasis can cause a significant shape change to the
abdominal wall, even for very slender patients. Because the tissue between the
muscles has been permanently stretched, no amount of exercise will restore the
shape of the abdomen. Rectus diastasis is repaired through the surgical
technique of an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck. This skin is
lifted near the pubic hair, and elevated to the level of the breast bone. The
muscles are tightened in the midline where the tissue had been stretched by
pregnancy. Permanent stitches are often used.  In the most severe cases,
mesh is used to reinforce the central repair area.
If you only want skin correction and don’t want surgery, you
might consider Thermage. Thermage® is a safe, non-invasive, radiofrequency (RF)
cosmetic procedure that’s clinically proven to help smooth, tighten and contour
skin for an overall younger looking appearance. Thermage® uses radiofrequency
technology to heat the deep, collagen rich layers of your skin. The heat helps
tighten existing collagen and stimulate the formation of new collagen, which
reduces sagging, renews contours, and improves the smoothness and texture of
the skin’s surface. Thermage® can treat wrinkled, crepey, sagging or bulging
skin as well as the appearance of cellulite. I suggest you make an appointment
with a board certified plastic surgeon who can discuss your options with you in
detail.

David J. Goodkind, MD · Answer

you indeed have a diastases recti which is giving you the impression of your abdomen sinking.  There is no muscle under the skin just thick fascia..  An abdominoplasty would bring muscles back to the midline and eliminate this defect.  You would get a very nice result.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

Yes -- it appears as if you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck with repair of the diastasis recti. You need and in person examination to know for sure, but from my experience and your photos, it looks as if a TT is the solution.

Boris Mordkovich, MD · Answer

This is the result of separation of the central belly muscle, in medical terms rectus abdominis diastasis. This is a frequent consequence of pregnancies.  If you are not considering to have more babies, you  can eliminate this (and exces of the redundant skin) via tummy tuck. Good luck!

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your posted photos and question. Yes you do appear to have diastasis recti and possibly a small umbilical hernia. Combination surgery of a TT and hernia repair may be indicated.  See a BCPS for examination and recommendations. Best of luck. Dr. Burnett

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

The sunken appearance is caused by a diastasis recti which is a result of the muscles stretching and separating from pregnancy. Based on limited photos but without an examination, you appear anatomically to be an excellent candidate for a full abdominoplasty. The muscle separation is repaired in that procedure.Following the advice of anyone who would presume to tell
you what to do based on two dimensional photos without taking a full medical
history, examining you, feeling and assessing your tissue tone, discussing your
desired outcome and fully informing you about the pros and cons of each option
would not be in your best interest. Find a plastic surgeon that you are
comfortable with and one that you trust and listen to his or her advice. The
surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and
ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.Robert Singer, MD  FACSLa Jolla, California

Middle of stomach sinking in around belly button after giving birth? (Photo)

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