Physical Activities After Diastasis Recti Repair

We generally recommend patients wear protect the muscle repair for 4 weeks before undergoing strenuous activities. After this time, we encourage patients to begin their normal routines gradually and common sense is the rule. Most of the healing that is required for incision and muscle repair strength occurs by the end of the third week.

Report
After diastasis recti repair, the abdominal six pack muscles that were sutured together need time to adequately heal.  I typically advise patients that they can return to light exercise at 2 weeks after diastasis recti repair with jogging, jumping rope, etc.  At 4 weeks, they can increase their physical activity but avoid strenuous abdominal exercises.  At 6 weeks, there are no further activity restrictions; patients can do heavy weight lifting, sit-ups, boxing, tumbling, etc.  However, I would recommend consulting with your particular surgeon and following his/her specific recommendations after surgery.
Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD