How High Up Torso Does Diastasis Repair and Tummy Tuck Go?

Most plastic surgeons repair the diastasis from the lower end of the rib cage to the pubic bone.

I always advise patients preop that they will see somewhat less improvement over the upper abdomen compared to the lower. This is mainly due to the fact that the flap, or apron, is being pulled downward  from below. As we get higher on the abdomen the effect of the pull decreases. If it did not, then your breasts would be pulled down along with your tummy.

I usually do a small amount of liposuction over the upper abdomen at the end of the procedure. This tends to flatten the area enough to avoid postop bulging. However, the skin in this area may still not be as tight as you would have wished.

Remember: a tummy tuck is surgery, not magic!

A standard full Tummy tuck usually does involve bringing the rectus muscles together all the way from the xiphoid (sternum area) to the pubic area.  It is usually done to effect improvement not only in the lower abdomen but in the upper abdomen as well.  A Mini-Tummy Tuck does not usually involve the muscles and is typically a skin-only procedure  and done for improvement in the lower abdomen alone. 

Tightening and flattening the abdominal wall with plication sutures is probably the most important part of a TT procedure- it recreates a feminine and youthful form in a way that liposuction or simple skin excision cannot achieve. I plicate the abdomen from the xyphoid to the pubic bone level. Partial plication will create a 'partial' result, and who wants that ?