What is diastasis recti?
The muscle membrane surrounding abdominal muscles may stretch as the stomach increases in size during pregnancy or weight gain. However, a stretched muscle membrane doesn’t always return to its previous state. Instead, the abdominal wall loses its shape, and the stomach stays increased in size.
The looseness of the muscle membrane, and the loss of muscle support in the abdominal wall caused by it, cause the back to be arched, possibly leading to pressure in the back area. Even though the procedure strives for a beautiful result, it is not an aesthetic procedure.
The looseness of the muscle membrane can be evaluated during a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Observations made by a plastic surgeon support a diagnosis.
Diastasis rectus surgery suits you, if
- you are a person with normal weight, who has given birth or lost a significant amount of weight
- your stomach is shaped like “a barrel”
- you experience back pain due to losing good posture
- you have already attempted physiotherapy to treat diastasis rectus.
Surgical treatment of diastasis rectus
In diastasis rectus surgery, the muscle membrane that has stretched from the middle is sown back together. This way, the muscles are placed closer again.
Other procedures, for example, correcting the shape of the stomach and removing excess tissue, are often done simultaneously together with this surgery (abdominoplasty, mini abdominoplasty, liposuction).
When the muscle membrane heals into a firm position, the support of the stomach and good posture return.
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Recovering from Diastasis Recti Surgery
Recovery from surgery is individual.
After the procedure, compression garments are used to support the abdomen for 4–6 weeks. Sick leave from heavy physical work often lasts just as long.
Scarring of the muscle membrane takes at least 3 months, during which strong straining of the abdominal muscles may be harmful to the final result. Heavier activation of the rectus abdominis muscles must be limited for 6 months.
Possible Complications of Corrective Surgery
Surgical procedures always involve risks. The greatest risks of complications in diastasis recti surgery are related to hematomas in the tissues and possible infections.
Hematomas
As a result of surgery, the skin has bruises. Sometimes, hematomas can be larger.
If blood leaks inside the tissues after surgery, it can cause pressure symptoms, and it may even need to be removed in a new surgery. This does not affect the final aesthetic result, but it may slightly slow down recovery from surgery.
Infections
Although surgery is performed under sterile conditions, bacteria on the skin can pass through the surgical wound and cause infection in the tissues even after surgery.
Minor infections can often be treated with medication. In rare cases, a more severe infection may even lead to revision surgery, in which the tissues are cleaned in the operating room.
