Can diastasis recti heal itself?

Question

I'm 30. I binge when stressed after fasting sometimes. Even when the binge foods are soup, veggies,etc, sometimes I've eaten until my stomach is uncomfortably distended. This has gone on for 10 yrs a few times a week. I'm normal weight (130lbs, 5'3) and reasonably active but also acquired a small umbilical hernia with fat under the skin this year, despite having no children. Could an MRI diagnose this? Can it heal itself, or have I likely weakened my muscles so I'll always have a fat stomach?

Bradley A. Hubbard, MD · Answer

Hi there.  Diastasis recti will not heal by itself.  Unfortunately no amount of working out will fix the issue. It would require surgery to repair those muscles. Best of luck to you!

Marc Klein, MD · Answer

Diastasis, or separation of the abdominal muscles, is not something that can repair itself.     Likewise, while exercise can strengthen muscle, the separation will not improve.   Some patients with a larger diastasis develop umbilical hernias, true defects associated with uncomfortable or painful protrusion of abdominal content.      The hernia repair may be covered by health insurance, but repair of the diastasis repair is considered cosmetic.

MyChi Le, MD · Answer

If you truly have an umbilical hernia and it is not due to a recent pregnancy then the likelihood of it healing on it's own is very unlikely. You would need to see a general or plastic surgeon to diagnose this and they can diagnose rectus diastasis as well. A lot of times this is able to be diagnosed without imaging but sometimes they will order a CT scan. Some very narrow rectus diastasis will get better if you do a lot of core strengthening but most need surgical correction, as well, which can be done with or without a tummy tuck; I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon for this. Good luck.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

The umbilical hernia will never heal at your age. If it is bothering you then it should be surgically repaired. This is covered by all insurances. Your diastasis will also need a surgical repair and will never heal by itself

Joseph Rucker, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

This is usually not the case.  This is a separation of the connection between the abdominal wall muscles that does not respond to exercise.  The preferred treatment would be to surgically repair the connection and this is usually done during a Tummy Tuck.  Insurance usually does not cover the procedure but will cover the repair of any abdominal wall hernias.

Can diastasis recti heal itself?

Answers (5)

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