Could lower abdomen be protruding for reasons other than diastasis recti? (photos)

Question

My physical therapist told me that my diastasis recti is only one finger width and it is only at the top of my navel. I know I do have a large amount of fat and loose skin below my belly button. I have soreness/ tenderness and a pulling feeling in that lower region from right above my pelvic bone to about an inch below the bottom of my navel. I’ve had 3 cesareans, my question is could this lower area be protruding for another reason, I do have bladder prolapse. 5'7 160lb

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Why not ask your dishwasher repair man to evaluate your belly? You've had three children and I can assure you that at least three inches of muscle fascia would be plicated during the repair of your rectus muscles.

Chad Deal, MD · Answer

There could be a few reasons for the abdominal protrusion. Yes of course the weakness in the abdominal wall could be one of them, but in addition, the loose skin folding over itself can be uncomfortable and give a fuller look. Finally you have to consider the amount of excess fat in the area that may have occurred because of pregnancy. It is possible to get a reasonable exam even over a video consult, but final determination is done with an in person consult, which can be done before your surgery. In regards to the discomfort that you are feeling one last thing to consider is any cesarean section scar could be tethered down to the abdominal wall and needs to be released.

Kristopher Hamwi, MD · Answer

there are a few different reasons that your lower abdomen could be protruding. A diastasis is one potential reason but if this is not present it is possible that the lower abdominal muscle has been diffusely stretched (a small amount across the entire muscle rather than a big stretch in one spot). Alternatively, if the abdominal wall is intact the bulge in the photo could just be from fat and skin. It is common that people have a slightly thicker subcutaneous fat layer in their lower abdomen. You would get a better sense of what's going on during a consultation with a plastic surgeon.

Daniel Serralta, MD · Answer

Abdominal bulge can appear due to many different reassons. Among them, hernia or diastasis recti are the "abdominal wall related" ones, but any enlargement of internal viscera may be seen as an abdominal protrusion.An specialist consultation will give light to this situation.
Best of luck

Vincent Gardner, MD · Answer

Hi kelsrosado,You could have a hernia from the C-section scars. It’s not apparent on the visible inspection of your photos. Physical exam usually identify an abdominal wall hernia. Occasionally a CT scan or ultrasound is needed to identify a defect in the abdominal wall. Another concern could be some intra-abdominal fat that could be causing the abdomen to protrude. Just based on the limited info it’s difficult to know exactly what would be causing your pain. You would also want to consider pain from other surrounding organs in this area, such as the bladder or bowel. Pain can also be from adhesions or intra-abdominal scarring from previous surgery. I hope this helps.

Could lower abdomen be protruding for reasons other than diastasis recti? (photos)

Answers (5)

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