Physical Activities After Diastasis Recti Repair

Question

Before having muscle weakness/diastasis recti I was very active (boxing, tumbling, track, basketball, running, jumping rope, and weight lifting). Will I be able to continue the activities stated above after Diastasis Recti repair and required healing time?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

While this is a question you should ask your surgeon, it is absolutely possible to return to all of your normal activities after you've had surgery and waited the allotted recovery time. This is generally about 6 weeks or so for intensive physical exercise (3 weeks for less intensive and cardio).

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

You should be able to return to all regular activities after the appropriate healing time and the green light from your surgeon.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Yes.  You will have to wait until your surgeon releases you back to physical activity without restrictions.  This usually occurs 6-8 weeks after surgery barring there were no complications.  You will from that point gradually increase your activity to a point where you were prior to surgery.  How soon you get that varies.

	Dr. ES

Ankit Desai, MD · Answer

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.

Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD · Answer

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

Genevieve F. Caron, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question
Yes you will be able to go back to your activities after your repair, however you need to wait at least 6 weeks before you do so. Each surgeon can have a different post-op protocol, so make sure you ask your about his.
Best Wishes
Dr Genevieve F.Caron, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Montreal,Canada

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

A tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure to contour the abdomen, create a tight waist, and remove extra skin, fat, and stretch marks.

	In our practice, we perform tummy tucks in a wide variety of patients. Many patients who have a separation of the muscles receive a repair of the muscles at the same time. Patients who receive this treatment are told that they should wait 6 to 8 weeks to return to the gym and to slowly begin their exercise regimen. After surgery, patients learn that their bodies will often tell them what they can and cannot do we recommend that patients take it very easy and slowly increase their activities, weaving abdominal exercises last.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

Most patients can resume light activity (walking) within 2 weeks after a rectus diastasis repair. By 4 to 6 weeks the tissue is about 80% healed and most strenuous activity can be done safely after 6 to 8 weeks. Follow your Board Certified plastic surgeon's recommendations as each patient is unique. When you are cleared to resume each activity, start slowly and progress over a few weeks back to your level before surgery..

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the question.

	Following diastasis recti repair, as a general rule, I recommend my patients wait no less than 8 weeks prior to returning to strenuous exercise.  Once this milestone is reached, normal physical activity may be resumed in gradual fashion with common sense encouraged.

	Regards, 

	Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

When I repair a diastasis, patients can usually return to full acitivites in most cases by about 8 weeks. This includes push-ups, hevay lifting and even sit-ups as tolerated.

Physical Activities After Diastasis Recti Repair

Answers (12)

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