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Is liposuction necessary for a tummy tuck addressing diastasis recti?

I have about a 2 finger gap of diastasis recti (years after last pregnancy) from the top to the bottom of my abdominal wall. I have very minimal loose skin beyond what is considered normal & just want to get my abdominal muscles tightened. I’ve read that a lot of patients also need liposuction with a tummy tuck & I don’t like the risks that come with liposuction & would prefer just to get my abdominal muscles tightened. Is this possible without looking uneven or having sagging skin? Please let me know the pros & cons for going this route & any suggestions. also - I am not overweight & I am active. Thank you.

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Andrew Smith, MD, FACS profile photo
Dr. Andrew Smith, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
5.0 | 41 Reviews
Answered on Nov 12, 2025
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Guray Yesiladali, MD, FEBOPRAS

A tummy tuck reshapes the abdominal wall and tightens skin and muscles in the front of the body but it does not involve the pelvic floor or the nerves responsible for sexual sensation. In the early stages of recovery, some patients experience mild tightness or numbness in the lower abdomen that...

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Ira H. Rex III, MD

From your photographs, it certainly seems like you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck. You have extra skin of the lower abdomen that would not retract with just liposuction. It would be left more loose and floppy. It seems you also may have a stretched muscle, maybe from having a...

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