I have severe diastasis recti. At what point would it be considered an abdominal wall ventral hernia?

Hello,Physical examination would diagnose a hernia. This would allow your insurance company to pre authorize the surgery. Keep in mind there are some great options in cosmetic surgery financing to also off set costs of the cosmetic portion. Best of luck!

Hello 'mel.h', thanks for your question.  Technically, a diastasis recti occurs with thinning and separation of the rectus fascia, typically from pregnancy or severe weight gain.  An abdominal ventral hernia occurs when there is an actual defect or hole in the abdominal wall fascia, which can be idiopathic.  A hernia can be palpable on examination and is confirmed if a mass can be reduced and a hernia defect can be palpated.  However, a large ventral hernia can be very difficult to distinguish from diastasis recti.  CT scan can typically indicate a defect in the wall, which makes it more likely that you do not have a hernia based on your CT.  The good news is that even if you have a hernia, the larger the hernia, the less likely it will lead to bowel strangulation and complications since the defect will accommodate any herniated abdominal contents.  Regardless, a diastasis recti or hernia can both be treated during a tummy tuck procedure.  Be sure you seek treatment from a board-certified plastic surgeon and good luck!-Dr.92660

You appear to have a pretty good understanding of your situation.  A diastasis is a separation or thinning of the fascia, and a hernia only occurrs when there is a hole in that layer.  If your CT scan did not show a true hernia then it will be difficult to get insurance coverage of your diastasis.  Sometimes there is a hernia and a diastasis.  Traditionally, an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, operation is able to correct the diastasis and bring the abdominal muscles back to their normal position.  Short of surgery, an option to try is wearing an abdominal binder or support garment.  This will not "fix" your problem, but it might help with some of the discomfort.  Best of luck!

I am sorry to hear about the problem you are experiencing. Given your post, I think that you have a good understanding already; a hernia is defined by a defect in the abdominal wall fascial layer.  A  diastasis recti refers to separation of the abdominal wall muscles commonly seen after pregnancy and/or weight gain/loss.  Given your description, it sounds like you might benefit from abdominal wall  "reconstruction", regardless of the semantics. Best wishes.

Diastasis is separation between the muscles of the abdominal wall and the connecting fascial bridge between the rectus abdominis muscles is stretched out. A true hernia is when there is an actual tear or hole through the layers in your abdomen and nothing is separating the abdominal contents from the skin. True hernias occur more commonly after having abdominal surgery or trauma.  Any pain or discomfort should be examined immediately by your physician who can also guide you to any steps necessary to help support your abdomen. Best of luck!

In a true ventral hernia there is a hole in the abdominal wall through which bowel can protrude leading to concern of possible bowel obstruction or strangulation of the bowl if it gets caught in this opening.   A diastasis is separating of the rectus muscles in the mid line of the abdomen with weakening of the abdominal wall which allows the abdominal content to protrude as they are not being held back by the muscle.  It is unlikely that a diastasis or separtion of abdominal muscle will turn into a true heria.  Although it can cause pain and discomfort.  True abdominal hernias are usually seconday to surgical incisions with the exception of umbilical hernias.  

Diastasis refers to thinning and spreading of your abdominal fascia(fascia is a lining that surrounds and connects your muscles together; this layer can be stretched out and thinned with weight gain or even pregnancy. A hernia is defined as a hole in this layer; so you could stretch out severely but as long there is no tear or hole in the layer, it is not considered a hernia. It is very common for us to find a hernia when we perform tummy tucks. Please see examples of hernia repairs and tummy tucks done synchronously below.