When Should You Have Surgery for Diastasis Recti?

A mild diastasis recti is a common finding and usually should not give you pain symptoms as would for instance a hernia. A diastasis combined with generalized abdominal wall laxity would produce more prominence of the abdomen in that area- a cosmetic issue. A tummy tuck would incorporate repair of the diastasis as well as excision of excess skin and potentially fat removal depending on each individual patients issues.

It’s not unusual for patients to develop diastasis of the
rectus muscles following pregnancy. Conversely, it would be extremely rare for
this problem to cause significant abdominal pain. Under these circumstances,
another diagnosis would be more likely.Correction
of a diastasis recti involves suture repair of the gap between the pubic bone
and the rib cage. This repair requires exposure of the underlying muscles by
separating them from the overlying skin. Once this maneuver has been performed
you have essentially performed an abdominoplasty.Under
these circumstances, it would be pointless to repair a diastasis without
performing an abdominoplasty.Unfortunately this maneuver might not impact your abdominal discomfort.

It is not unusual to have a minor diastasis recti (separation of the rectus muscles), especially in women.  in most cases, there is not a medial need to have it repaired.  It is basically just a description of an anatomical finding, not a condition that needs repairing.  If your MRI showed a hernia or other abnormality, then that may need to be fixed.  During abdominoplasty / tummy tuck, the diastasis is usually repaired, but this is for cosmetic reasons to help give the stomach / abdomen a flatter appearance.  In some cases, repair of the diastasis or just a tightening of the muscles does reduce back pain in some patients as it helps bring everything into alignment.  

 

Good Luck.

Rectus diastasis of 2 cm without herniation not unusual.  This does not require surgery.  This MRI alone does not explain why you're having discomfort but a tummy tuck or rectus repair is certainly not the treatment for your pain

Sincerely,

Martin Jugenburg, MD

A 2 cm diastasis is not severe at all and should not be causing any pain.  It is not necessary to repair it.  If you're done having children, though, and are ready for a tummy tuck, then the repair would be part of that surgery. But don't expect it to resolve this pain you're having.