Since diastasis recti surgery involves muscle repair, you should expect some muscle soreness and pain for the first few days after your surgery. Your wounds will also show some swelling and bruising. These symptoms might take up to 2 weeks to subside.
Most patients experience two to four weeks of acute recovery following a diastasis recti repair, although swelling can persist for up to six weeks and full recovery can take one year. Drains will be removed after two weeks, and a compression garment will be worn for three to four weeks.
In order to be a candidate for diastasis recti surgery, a patient must have separation of abdominal muscles that is greater than two finger widths.
Laparoscopic repair of Diastasis recti is a minimally invasive procedure to repair this condition through three small incisions with less post-operative pain and faster recovery compared to the open technique.
Diastasis recti causes the abdominal muscles to separate; a tummy tuck is designed to tighten the muscles of the abdomen while also removing excess skin and fat for more comprehensive aesthetic rejuvenation. The result is typically a smoother, flatter, and more toned abdomen.
An observed separation of <3. cm between the rectus muscles is labeled mild diastasis, 3–5 cm separation of the rectus muscles moderate diastasis and more than 5 cm severe diastasis (25).
If left untreated or in severe cases of diastasis recti, complications can include: Umbilical hernia. Increase in back pain. Pain during sex.
Surgery should only be considered in diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle patients with functional impairment, and not until the patient has undergone a standardized 6-month abdominal core training program. (3) The largest width of the diastasis should be at least 5 cm before surgical treatment is considered.
What is diastasis recti repair surgery recovery like? Recovery from a tummy tuck with muscle repair ranges from 3-6 weeks depending on your surgical plan. You will experience some bruising and swelling, and may need to wear a supportive compression garment while you heal.
Is Diastasis Recti a Hernia? While diastasis recti and abdominal hernias may look similar, they are not the same. Diastasis recti is not a protrusion of intestines or abdominal tissues like a hernia; it is a bulge of muscle due to the stretched connective tissue.
Medicare only covers tummy tuck surgery if it is deemed as a medical necessity. Medicare does not cover elective cosmetic tummy tucks. Patients can get coverage under Medicare if it is deemed as a medical necessity by their GP.
A 10 percent disability rating for diastasis recti of the abdominal muscles is allowed, subject to the regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.
When you rest, it's recommended that you sleep in a slightly bent position that avoids pulling on the stitches. Instead of sleeping flat on a bed, many surgeons and patients who have recovered from abdominoplasty recommend sleeping in a recliner for the first few weeks.
Now let's discuss treatment. A rectus diastasis does NOT require a tummy tuck to be repaired. I frequently repair the rectus diastasis through old C-section scars as well as through belly button incisions.
Abdominal wall surgery is a procedure that improves the appearance of flabby, stretched-out abdominal (belly) muscles and skin. It is also called a tummy tuck. It can range from a simple mini-tummy tuck to more extensive surgery. Abdominal wall surgery is not the same as liposuction, which is another way to remove fat.
Along with general fatigue, expect some soreness in the abdomen and sensitivity around your incisions, especially when they are stressed. If your tummy tuck included a repair of stretched abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), your lower abdomen might also feel a bit tight.
Specialists in General Surgery physicians have repaired diastasis recti by plicating the medial edges of the rectus abdominis muscles intra-abdominally in a minimally invasive fashion using the robotic da Vinci Surgical System and reinforcing the repair with a mesh.
Tummy Tuck after weight loss can be a good option for you if you are seeking to tighten your loose belly or treat diastasis recti after pregnancy. Plastic surgeons highly recommend their patients to be near ideal weight or Body Mass Index (BMI) prior to the surgery.
“Diastasis recti” means your belly sticks out because the space between your left and right belly muscles has widened. You might call it a “pooch.” It's very common among pregnant women.
Brown explains, no amount of weight loss can fix the physical problem of having two muscles stretched apart. They must be sewn back together, which is why diastasis recti repair is best performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.
Both vaginal and c section delivery affect the abdominal muscles and can cause postpartum diastasis recti.
Can Diastasis Recti Get Worse Over Time? Over time, Diastasis Recti can worsen as the separation increases. This results in the internal abdominal organs, such as the uterus and intestines, having less protection in the front to hold them in place.
Unlike with a hernia (which is an actual hole or defect in the abdominal wall), there's no possibility of the intestines getting stuck inside and damaged, Dr. Brenner explains. In other words, if you can live with how you look, you can generally live with diastasis recti.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Bloating and constipation can both be symptoms of diastasis recti. Your ab muscles hold certain organs in place, like your intestines. When your ab muscles are weakened due to diastasis recti, it doesn't support your muscles as well.