Abs appear narrow 15 months after tummy tuck with diastasis recti repair - what caused this and can it be corrected? (photo)

Dear cardenrs,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It's possible that the appearance of your abs after a tummy tuck (TT) procedure can be affected by the technique used during the procedure, such as the method of plication (suturing the separated abdominal muscles back together). Folding the muscles in on each other is a common technique used during plication, and some degree of asymmetry can occur due to the natural variations in the anatomy of the abdominal muscles.

It's also possible that your abdominal muscles were tightened too much during the procedure, which can cause the unnatural protrusion you're describing. In some cases, this may lead to persistent pain or discomfort in the lower back.

If you're experiencing these issues, it's important to schedule a follow-up consultation with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and explore your options for revision surgery. Your surgeon can evaluate your individual situation and recommend the most appropriate course of action.

Keep in mind that revision surgery can carry some risk, and it's important to only seek treatment from a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. They can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of revision surgery and help you make an informed decision about your options for correcting the appearance of your abs and reducing any associated pain or discomfort.


Best of luck !

I would suggest going back to your surgeon, being examined, and discussing your options for your abdomen.

It's difficult to determine what may have caused your concern with the photo provided. If the contour was good after surgery but has worsened over the 15 months potential causes could be weight gain (visceral fat), GI issues, or potential muscle repair failure. The correction would be based on the underlying cause.

It's hard to answer based on the one photo but my guess is that it is not related to the plication--it is almost impossible to plicate someone too tight because the tissue would tear if you try to get the muscles to overlap. I think the bulge will be corrected by weight loss. I think there is some visceral fat that is causing you the bulge.

To make an assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we always need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have your before, and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
What your surgeon describes is typical and is standard operating procedure. That generally leaves people with a tight flat abdomen.
Abdominal contour is generally related to one or more of four different variables. These are skin,l laxity, subcutaneous fat, muscle separation, or visceral fat.
This is true whether someone has had cosmetic surgery or not. The problem is almost always attributable to one or more of those four variables.
In the end, results are direct representation of each patient’s candidacy for the procedure, combined with the skill and experience of the provider.
Your picture is insufficient to make an assessment.
I suggest having a few in person second opinion, consultations with other local board-certified plastic surgeons. For a second opinion, consultations patient should come prepared and bringing with them proper before and after pictures and ideally a copy of your operative report. These are all available from your surgeons office upon request.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD