I had a tummy tuck 6 years ago and have since gained about 40 lbs and I think I have a diastasis recti.

Thank you for your question.  Sometimes it is difficult to tell if there is a diastasis recti present post abdominoplasty in a setting of intra abdominal fat gain.  This is known as intraluminal fat which will push the abdominal wall outwards.  I would recommend you lose at least twenty pounds and then be re evaluated by your PS.Best of luck,

Gaining 40 pounds after a tummy tuck can disrupt the repair of a diastasis recti.  Gaining weight certainly detracts from any result you may have had at the initial weight. Your plastic surgeon is correct that losing all that weight is the first step to re-evaluating the area.  You may need help from a weight loss program or your primary care doctor to lose the weight. Best wishes. 

It is very possible that the weight gain and time since your previous tummy tuck that you may have incurred some diastasis recti.  The weight gain may have also resulted in some added skin laxity as well.  You would be able to determine this if you lost he weight.  My recommendation is to see a plastic surgeon in your area and have he or she assess you for all of these issues.  They may also be able to help you with a medical and/or nutritional assessment to help you determine the cause of the weight gain, as well as help you manage it!

It is always more difficult to examine an abdomen that has had prior operations. If you had gained weight it is dfficult to say if your abdomen is protuberant due to recurrent diastasis versus increased intraabdominal fat. Your PS is right that you would need to lose the 30-40 lbs you gained to get a true assessment. Furthermore, this weight loss would be necessary if one were to entertain surgically fixing a diastasis anyways.

Thank you for the question. I think that your plastic surgeon has given you good advice. Best to achieve your long-term stable weight and then return for follow-up examination. There are simply too many variables involved… Best wishes.