Diastasis recti is a condition that many people may not even realise they have, yet it can sometimes have quite an influence on comfort levels. Often developing after pregnancy or significant weight changes, moderate to severe cases of the condition may need surgery to effectively address.
An abdominoplasty is a type of plastic surgery that can address diastasis recti. The procedure can also address the underlying abdominal muscles and excess skin and fat in the area.
In this blog, we’ll take a more in-depth look at what diastasis recti is and how an abdominoplasty can help.
What is diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti occurs when the two vertical bands of abdominal muscles, called the rectus abdominis, separate along the midline.
These muscles are connected by a fibrous structure called the linea alba, which can become stretched and weakened due to internal pressure. This separation can cause a visible bulge on the abdomen, cause discomfort and even lead to concerns like poor posture, or difficulties with core strength and stability.
While diastasis recti is most commonly associated with pregnancy, it can also occur due to rapid weight changes, heavy lifting, or conditions that increase abdominal pressure over time.
Signs and symptoms of diastasis recti
While some people may not necessarily have significant signs of the condition, others may notice a visible bulge in the middle of the abdomen, a feeling of weakness in the abdominal muscles, lower back pain, and general discomfort.
To confirm that you do have the condition, your individual case may be assessed with a physical examination, digital imaging or other methods of testing performed by a doctor or specialist.
Even if you have these symptoms and are not sure if it could be as a result of diastasis recti, you should still schedule a consultation with your doctor or specialist to assess what may be causing your symptoms.
How an abdominoplasty can address diastasis recti
An abdominoplasty is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, while sometimes addressing the underlying muscle structures.
If you have diastasis recti, the procedure will address the underlying muscles by suturing the separated abdominal muscles back together, effectively restoring the abdominal wall.
Repairing these muscles will be helpful in addressing both the functional and aesthetic concerns associated with diastasis recti. Firstly, restoring these muscles will help you to have improved core strength and function, which can help to make some activities and movements easier.
It can also reduce lower back pain caused by the condition, preventing the lower back area from being under strain due to a lack of core strength. Better core stability can also come with better posture, which can help with overall alignment.
Supporting your body after abdominoplasty to treat diastasis recti
After surgery, supporting your body’s recovery will be an essential part of effectively healing diastasis recti.
As your body heals, you may experience swelling, tightness, and some discomfort in the abdominal area, which can typically be alleviated by wearing a compression garment. To best support your body, you should make sure that you wear the compression garment for as long as your surgeon advises.
You should also get plenty of rest and avoid activities that can put excessive strain on your abdominal muscles, such as heavy lifting and core-focused exercises. Once your surgeon recommends to slowly increase your activity levels, you can then very slowly re-introduce these activities.
Essentially, you should always follow your surgeon’s advice on how to ensure that your abdomen sufficiently heals and that diastasis recti is effectively treated.
Are you a suitable candidate for an abdominoplasty to treat diastasis recti?
If you have diastasis recti, an abdominoplasty may be a suitable treatment option for you. However, considering your suitability for the surgery in depth will be important before proceeding.
Overall, suitable candidates will be in good overall health, at a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about the results. It’s also important to consider whether you’re planning future pregnancies or significant weight changes, as these factors can affect the surgery’s results in the future. We may recommend to wait until you have completed your family before undergoing the procedure, as the condition may occur again after future bodily changes.
To properly assess your suitability, you’ll need to have a consultation with your chosen plastic surgeon so that they can discuss your needs. Your surgeon will ask you about your health, your expectations, and any past surgeries you have had or conditions that may need to be considered.
Can diastasis recti effectively be treated through exercise?
In mild cases, targeted exercises designed to strengthen the deep core muscles may help to improve the symptoms of diastasis recti. These may include exercises that engage the transverse abdominis muscles, such as diaphragmatic breathing and gentle core activations.
However, in more severe cases, especially when the separation is wide or accompanied by a weakened linea alba, exercise alone may not be enough to fully address the condition. This is where surgical intervention, like abdominoplasty, may be a more suitable option.
Melbourne Plastic Surgery: Carefully Selected Specialist Plastic Surgeons
Working in Melbourne, Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery’s team of Specialist Plastic Surgeons have decades of experience in plastic and cosmetic surgery.
The selected surgeons have undergone intensive training to gain their titles, refining their skills and techniques over the years. They have also contributed to research, industry advancements, medical book chapters and articles, and training conferences, as well as teaching at medical schools.
Led by breast and abdominoplasty surgeon Dr Craig Rubinstein, Coco Ruby is dedicated to providing high-quality patient care.
If you have diastasis recti and are considering taking a surgical approach to treat the condition, as well as the symptoms that come with it, please contact our team to arrange a consultation. Your chosen Specialist Plastic Surgeon can assess your condition, discuss your suitability for abdominoplasty and explain how the procedure can be performed to effectively treat the condition.