5'4", 123 lbs., 4 children, severe muscle separation - will I need a tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

Unfortunately, it seems like I may need a very low tummy tuck. I’m 9 months postpartum with my fourth child, 5’4” and 123 pounds. I’ve put off a tummy tuck because I’m worried about scarring and hyperpigmentation, which I feel like I may not be able to avoid. My main goal is to repair my severe muscle separation. All of my babies were 8–9 pounds, and their births were fast vaginal deliveries. They were also only 17–18 months apart, and I gained most of my weight in my belly. I don’t have stretch marks. Has anyone found another option that helped repair muscle separation while avoiding a tummy tuck scar? I’m already doing physical therapy, but it’s becoming clear that I may need surgery.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience, unfortunately, there are not other options to repair separated muscle (diastasis) other than surgery.

Tummy tuck scar is the trade off, but usually worth it to flatten the belly from the inside and remove/tighten lax skin which is not possible with other methods such as laparoscopic.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

The reason you'll need a tummy tuck, as opposed to minimal incision diastasis recti repair is because your skin and subcutaneous tissue quality. Once the muscles have been repaired, your skin will hang loosely over the muscle wall, and look unattractive. Your belly button will look abnormal. A full tummy tuck will fix that and give you tight skin and a normal looking belly button. You're right though, you want a surgeon to make the incision very, very low. You'll get a small vertical scar just above the pubic area that will not be noticeable.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

Your photos show a typical picture of significant muscle separation: you are slim, but your abdomen projects both above and below your belly button. Physical therapy strengthens the muscles, but it cannot bring separated muscles back together once the midline tissue has stretched this much, so surgical repair is the only real solution. A mini tummy tuck repairs the muscle only below the belly button, which would leave your upper abdomen rounded, so a full tummy tuck is the right operation for you. With little excess skin and no stretch marks, the scar can be placed very low, inside your underwear line. A scar always remains and nobody can guarantee how it heals, but protecting it from the sun and starting scar care early reduces the risk of darker pigmentation. I would wait until you are at least a year postpartum, have finished breastfeeding and are sure you do not want more children.

5'4", 123 lbs., 4 children, severe muscle separation - will I need a tummy tuck? (Photos)

Answers (3)

More Diastasis Recti Repair Questions

43, 4 children, abdominal separation - Tummy tuck or laparoscopic repair? (Photos)

Belly button area falls into straight line. Umbilicoplasty or diastasis repair by laparoscopy? (Photo)

Diastases with ventral wall hernia, mesh, skin excision and lipo - what can I expect?

3.5cm tear - Keyhole diastisis repair or full abdominoplasty?

Is it possible to get a diastasis recti repair without a tummy tuck?

Does it look like I have a hernia or diastasis recti? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS