Can I get smart lipo without correcting diastasis recti? Is it a choice?

Most people who seek out lipo want a flat tummy. If you want a flat tummy, the first question that you need to ask is "why isn't my tummy flat?" If the reason is that there is excess fat on the surface and nothing else, then you can expect to achieve a flat tummy with liposuction. If however, there is also a diastasis (aka separated and loose abdominal muscles), then you will not achieve a flat tummy (waste of money?). So, if you have a diastasis and don't want it fixed, then you don't really want a flat tummy. And if that's the case, go on a diet and wait until you're done with children and do the right thing at the right time. If you want to learn why you're mistaken about the effects of future pregnancy, feel free to schedule a virtual consultation...

In this scenario, you are correct in assuming that liposuction would technically be a safe option while an abdominoplasty would be contraindicated. However, I typically do not recommend undergoing any kind of contouring procedures if someone knows for sure they would like to have more children in the near future. The body changes that come with pregnancy will compromise the results of the contouring procedure, and having one procedure may compromise what can be done in the future to fix any other problems.

liposuction doesnt fix diastasis and can be done alone. I would suggest at least j plasma/renuvion if you are candidate.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

TT without muscle repair may make the recovery easier, but, if you have laxity in that area, the result will be better with plication. In general, the muscles should be brought to anatomic norms. The smaller the separation, the less tightening required and probably the less discomfort. Swelling will occur irrespective of muscle repair, and almost every patient requiring a TT will benefit from the muscle repair even though you may require a revision after pregnancy.

Dear vanessaruizg,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are planning a pregnancy, then it is probably better option to wait until you are finished with pregnancies and get a surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

You can certainly have liposuction without correcting diastases recti. The procedure may give a limited results since it’s only addressing fat and not muscle separation. Having person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons to get a better understanding. Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!
SMART lipo can be performed if there is a diastasis recti but the results will be less than optimal if it is present. As you desire a future pregnancy, liposuction will offer a degree of improvement.
Best wishes...

there seems to be a ton of mis-information about a diastasis. this is just a separation that occurs between the 2 recti muscles, usually after having a child. it is rarely problematic. it is almost corrected when a tummy tuck is done. There is no reason at all, that you should not have smartlipo if you are a good candidate. It is wise for you to defer to having the recti muscles repaired until you are finished having children.

david berman md