Severe diastasis recti tummy. Will this be fixed if I get a tummy tuck? (Photo)

Thank you for your questions and photos. From your photos, you would be a good candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction. A tummy tuck will address excess skin & repair of the abdominal muscle. The abdominal wall can be weakened after pregnancy and (or) significant weight gain & loss. By repairing the muscle, not only does the appearance of your abdominal area improve, but your core strength as well. The repair of the muscle will cinch your waist like an inner corset, which will accentuate your curves. Liposuction will remove excess fat from unwanted areas with some skin retraction. Your expectations and health will dictate the best procedure(s) for you. I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals. Best of luck!

Dhaval Patel MD
Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Chicago
South Barrington
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You seem to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck based on your photos. This will treat your diastasis and remove the excess skin which contributes to your current frustration.

Part of a full tummy tuck is repair of the diastasis. Most people getting a tummy tuck also get liposuction as part of the procedure. The flank area can be liposuctioned first, then the patient can be turned to continue with the remainder of the procedure. Good luck!

Hello,
Thank you for your question and photos. Yes, muscle repair can be corrected during a tummy tuck through plication of the abdominal wall. It's generally a part of a tummy tuck. I have corrected various degrees of Diastasis Recti ranging from severe to mild via a tummy tuck. I would advise you to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is an expert in Diastasis Recti repair.

With regards to lipo, I personally am very conservative and selective with performing liposuction to patients who are true candidates. I only end up needing to perform it on about 30% of patients. It's something that I discuss during the consultation after a thorough exam.

I have attached some resources for you. Hopefully you find them helpful!

This standard abdominoplasty typically includes a diastasis repair. You can confirm this with your surgeon during the consultation.

Dear SweetSeoul,
Thanks for your question. Yes based on your photos, it appears you have diastasis recti, abdominal skin laxity and stretch marks. Generally, these things are fixed/improved with a tummy tuck. I recommend you see a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in tummy tucks/abdominoplasty for further recommendations.

The diastasis recti is fixed during the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. This is fixed by tightening (aka plicating) the rectus muscles back together. This is the “internal” part of a tummy tuck that allows for a flatter midsection. After the muscle is tightened the skin is tightened as well. As far as liposuction, you need to ask your board-certified plastic surgeon if they perform liposuction at the same time as their tummy tuck. Some surgeons do not. I love performing liposuction at the time of my tummy tucks because it really sculpts the waistline. Good luck with getting that flatter abdomen.

Hello, muscle tightening during the tummy tuck will help your tummy look flatter. And I also recommend liposuction to upper abdomen and flanks at the same time. But as you say you are losing more weight that is more appropriate to wait untill you reach a stable period for your weight because the fluctuations on weight will affect the final result. Regards.

Dear SweetSeoul,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for your question, You are a candidate for tummy tuck surgery the diastasis recti will be corrected in surgery we suture them together from top of your muscle to the bottom of your muscles which is included with tummy tuck surgery, your stomach will be flat. As for the liposuction I always recommend to get liposuction with this type of surgery to remove excess fat and get a wonderful result, areas i recommend are the flanks and upper abdomen forsure to give you a nice waist line, if you have excess fat on your back as well you can also do liposuction on your back.