Is diastasis recti repair surgery (with a vertical incision) a good alternative to a tummy tuck? (photo)

Question

I have 7.8cm diastasis recti & recently had umbilical hernia repair with mesh by a general surgeon. After the procedure he informed me he could repair my diastasis with a vertical incision and tightening the muscles. This procedure has a much higher rate of being covered by my insurance (Tricare) than a tummy tuck. Is this a good idea or should I suck it up & pay 10k for a tummy tuck? I understand I will have a scar up my abdomen and I would have a plastic surgeon remove any excess skin.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

I have no idea why it was recommended that you have a vertical incision for what is supposed to be a cosmetic procedure. Although your abdomen is prominent, correction of the separation of the muscles (rectus diastasis) is part of a tummy tuck, and the incision for a tummy tuck is a low, hidden transverse incision hidden in the bikini line.  Also, rectus diastasis is not covered by insurance. Period. A ventral hernia is, but rectus diastasis is not a ventral hernia.  While full correction of your rectus diastasis could be challenging, and mesh overlay at the time of surgery would likely be helpful, this is not an insurance covered procedure, so what you have been told should not be taken at face value.  You would be best served by one or more in person consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons who regularly do tummy tucks and are concerned with the best aesthetic outcome. A vertical scar would never be considered an optimal aesthetic outcome.  As Dr. Corbin has pointed out, when a general surgeon does an umbilical hernia repair, the blood supply to the umbilicus may be compromised enough that the skin would die if the usual incisions around the umbilicus during a tummy tuck are made, and then you may need umbilical reconstruction rather than just transposition of the stalk.  All these factors make it even more important that you see an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Unfortunately, an examination is required to determine how much affect your visceral fat has on your current abdominal appearance. If you have too much, no repair will last or even look good to begin with. If that is the case, weight loss would be required prior to surgery. Please visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeons for an evaluation.Best of luck!

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  One must assess the tradeoffs of each option.  In my experience I have not had a diastasis repair covered by insurance.  One should get a review and preauthorization for the procedure submitted to the insurance before any surgery is done.  If it is approved then the trade off is a visible scar for less investment.  If one values the correction of the diastasis more than the appearance of the final result then it may be reasonable.  However, if the diastasis repair is approved by the insurance a plastic surgeon could do the repair.  Good luck.

Milind K. Ambe, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  In general a diastasis recti is corrected during a tummy tuck surgery.  What you propose is going to require two surgeries and ultimately more down time and money.  I would also find out from your insurance if the diastasis repair would in fact be covered by your insurance (because it might not be).  Seek out some Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in your area that perform abdominoplasty surgery to get more of a customized quote and recommendation.  Best of luck to you

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

You need a tummy tuck in order to prevent a vertical skin incision / scar. Vertical incision would ruin any cosmetic results gained by performing muscle plication.

Is diastasis recti repair surgery (with a vertical incision) a good alternative to a tummy tuck? (photo)

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Is diastasis recti repair surgery (with a vertical incision) a good alternative to a tummy tuck? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Diastasis recti repair

Answer: Diastasis recti repair

Answer: Tummy tuck?

Answer: Tummy tuck?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.