Age 33, diastasis recti - do I need a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

I’m 33 with 3 kids. I workout but I still have a diastasis recti. I can put two fingers between my abdominal muscles. I also have a hernia from before pregnancy but now it’s worse after pregnancy. Im concerned about scarring but I’d like my body to look attractive. Is this a procedure I qualify for?

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

A mini tummy tuck with umbilical float will allow for repair of both the diastasis and the hernia with a low bikini line scar and no scar on the belly button.

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

You have minimal excess skin so there is no need for a full abdominoplasty but to repair the rectus diastasis which extends above the belly button the umbilicus needs to be detached from the muscle wall (floating umbilicus) and then reattached.  The only scar is at the level of c-section scar and excess skin can be excised at that level.  Your belly button Woukd be an “inny” after surger with no scarring.  You Woukd be an ideal candidate for this procedure.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You may not have enough skin excess for a full tummy tuck. You can still do a mini tummy tuck and diastasis repair along with a hernia repair at the same time. Based on your photos, I believe this would optimize your results.

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Hi! Excellent question. A traditional TT is for patients with excess skin above and bellow the navel, unwanted fat and muscle separation…… and a mini tt is for patients that have excess skin on the bottom portion of the abdomen only. Therefore, if a patient does not have excess skin, she is not a candidate for a TT. 
You do not seem to have excess skin worthy of a TT. I recommend avoiding any type of tummy tucks and getting only the umbilical hernia repair. There are ways to correct muscle separation without a TT so you might want to research that option.
Nonetheless, I believe an umbilical hernia repair will make your abdomen more attractive and will help avoid the unwanted scars of a TT.

Best of luck and please avoid the TT,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

If there is abdominal muscle separation above your belly button, then a full tummy tuck would be more suitable for you. If the separation is only below your belly button, then a mini would be sufficient.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  You might be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck where you float the belly button, meaning that you disconnect the belly button from the abdominal wall musculature and move it down just a small amount.  This would allow access to give you full rectus plication from the bottom of your breastbone to the level of your pubic bone.  For someone small like yourself with very little excess skin and almost no extra fatty tissue this would likely be very helpful for your abdominal wall musculature.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon with good experience with these types of procedures to help you through the process.
Good luck and take care,
Dr. Howell

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and series of photographs.  Nothing replaces an in-person examination, but I think you would most benefit from a full tummy tuck.  In order to address all three areas of excess skin, muscle separation/laxity and an umbilical hernia, the full tummy tuck is the way to go. You will most likely require a small vertical incision in addition to the traditional one along your pelvis and umbilicus.  Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Rational375578,
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. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. 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

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck would be the best procedure in order to correct the diastasis.  You also have an umbilical hernia that can be addressed at the same time.  Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Marvin F. Shienbaum, MD · Answer

More than likely a full tummy tuck is needed   to access entire length of your /separation (diastasis recti) and to adequately remove the excess skin.   A full tummy tuck    will   also give you a more defined hourglass shape.

Age 33, diastasis recti - do I need a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck? (Photos)

Answers (17)

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