Do I have visceral fat or diastasis recti after two pregnancies? Would a tummy tuck even help? (photos)

Thanks for your question and photos. I do feel that, based on your photos, you have a rather large diastasis. The key question is whether this is made worse by visceral fat. With pictures of you standing, it is very difficult to make such a distinction. The best way to tell the difference is to see you lying on your back. If your bulge goes away and you see a dip in the contour of your abdomen, it is likely the diastasis and not the fat. If your abdomen remains full and rises above your chest, it it likely fat. So clearly, you need an in person examination to determine how best to proceed. Best of luck.

Hello! Thank you for your question. Based on your photos and description In my opinion it appears you have a rather large muscle separation; likely from pregnancy. A Tummy Tuck removes excess fat, tightens the abdominal skin, and repairs separated abdominal muscles.In most cases, a tummy tuck will help to restore weakened or separated muscles resulting in a smooth and firm abdominal profile. For more information on if you are a good candidate click my link. Best of luck. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. 

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to give you an exact answer without examining you. From your photo's, it appears that tightening the abdominal wall will flatten your abdomen. Please consult with a qualified surgeon.

Healthy people at their ideal weight should have the best overall recovery from a TT and lipo, but some of this will depend upon the surgical technique and adherence to postoperative protocols. 
Liposuction, combined with the standard TT, will allow you to have stubborn fat resistant to exercise and diet removed from unwanted areas.  A TT with muscle tightening because of diastasis recti will create a flat abdomen and would also provide the benefit of placing your incision along the lower pubic region. The TT also creates a more youthful belly button. 
If the waist was smaller at one time, the waist can likely be reduced to those same measurements or smaller provided the muscular and fascial integrity has remained the same.
Consult with a board certified PS who has performed hundreds of TTs and liposuction procedures with favorable patient reviews and great results evidenced in before and after photos on his/her website.

Hello! From your photos it appears you indeed have rectus diastasis.  A full tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction would benefit you.  However, a tummy tuck and liposuction will not correct visceral fat.  It is best to schedule an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine the best surgical plan for you.  Best of luck!

Your abdominal wall has been irreversibly damaged by pregnancies.  You will need abdominoplasty with mesh reinforcement.  However, this may increase your intra-abdominal wall pressure resulting in difficulty breathing.  This may need to be done sequentially in a case as severe as yours.  You may benefit now from an abdominal binder to help support the abdominal wall but you will eventually need surgery.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

HI Jenn,  You need to see a Board certified plastic surgeon in your area before one can tell for sure what the problem is. In my opinion, it looks as though you do have a significant weakness of your tummy muscles. You may also have visceral fat, but this is hard to diagnose from the photos alone. Please see a good PS who can give you a good exam.I think a tummy tuck will help, even if you do have visceral fat.Good Luck,   Dr. Christine Rodgers

It looks like you have a wide muscle separation or disatasis recti. You will clearly benefit from a tummy tuck with muscle repair, possibly using mesh such as Galaflex. You may also have some visceral fat, but there will still be a big improvement.

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on the photo, I
believe you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck. During tummy tuck,
extra skin in the lower half of your abdomen including the stretch marks will
be removed. In addition, typically the fascial laxity/separation of recti
muscles will be taken care of by muscle plication, giving you a flat
abdomen. The added liposuction of your hips/flanks will help with creating a
natural and aesthetic waistline. Incision can be placed very low to be
hidden under bikini. With proper surgical technique, belly button can be
designed to  be a true 'innie'. Recovery from tummy tuck is 1-2
weeks. Strenuous activity and lifting heavy weights should be avoided 6 weeks
to 3 months post op. I would seek consultation with a board-certified
plastic surgeon for a full evaluation and advice. Best,
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.                                            
Johns
Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

Dear Jenn234,
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