RECTUS DIASTASIS REPAIR

SEATTLE

Your core doesn't feel like your own anymore — no amount of planks or crunches seems to close that gap down the middle of your stomach, and that's not a failure of effort. It's anatomy, and it usually takes more than exercise to fix.

WHAT IS A RECTUS DIASTASIS?

Rectus diastasis, also known as diastasis recti, is a common condition affecting the rectus abdominis — the pair of muscles that run vertically along your abdomen. It happens when the two sides of these muscles separate, causing a visible bulge or gap down the midline of your stomach. It's common during pregnancy or with weight gain, and it can persist well after childbirth or weight loss. Beyond how it looks, a diastasis plays a real role in your abdominal and waist size, your core stability, your abdominal wall strength, and can even affect your pelvic floor.

A CLOSER LOOK

During your Seattle plastic surgery consultation, I'll examine your abdomen both standing and lying down, including a simple leg-lift test that helps me feel the size and location of your diastasis. Separation can occur anywhere from your xiphoid process down to your pubic bone, though it's most often widest around the belly button, and where yours sits helps determine which type of Tummy Tuck is the right vehicle for your repair.

THE PROCEDURE

A Diastasis Repair isn't performed as a standalone procedure — it's always done as part of a tummy tuck. This is an outpatient procedure performed in our AAAASF-accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center in the Nordstrom Medical Tower in downtown Seattle, under general anesthesia as part of your Tummy Tuck surgery. Elevating your abdominal skin during the procedure gives me direct visualization of the muscles and their separation. Two layers of non-absorbable sutures are placed to bring the muscles back to their original position at the midline. Excess abdominal skin is removed, your belly button is repositioned, and the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures placed underneath the skin.

WHERE DIASTASIS REPAIR FITS WITHIN YOUR TUMMY TUCK

Because a Diastasis Repair is performed alongside a Tummy Tuck, the extent of the repair depends on which type of Tummy Tuck you're having. It can be performed with any type — Standard, Mini, or Fleur de Lis — but with a Mini Tummy Tuck, the repair is limited to the lower abdomen. Most women develop their diastasis either at the level of the belly button or in the upper abdominal region after pregnancy, so which type of Tummy Tuck reaches your diastasis is part of what we determine together at your consultation.

Numbing medication is injected along the repair at the time of surgery, and you also have the option to add Exparel, a 72-hour numbing medication (liposomal bupivacaine), for extended comfort into your early recovery.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE?

The ideal candidate for a Diastasis Repair is overall healthy and at a stable weight. Gaining significant weight after this procedure can strain the repair and hurt your long-term results, so I recommend being done with your childbearing years first, since a future pregnancy will disrupt the repair.

Beyond the basics, your candidacy comes down to a few specifics I evaluate in person during your consultation:

Whether physical therapy might serve you better first, or instead of surgery — not every diastasis needs a surgical fix, and I'll tell you honestly if that's the case for you.

The size and location of your separation, from a physical exam done both standing and lying down.

Which type of Tummy Tuck reaches your diastasis, based on whether it sits at the belly button, the upper abdomen, or both.

Your overall anatomy and aesthetic goals, since the surgical plan is built around both.

Patients with a history of blood clots, or multiple risk factors for them, may need to take a blood thinner after surgery. We'll review your history carefully beforehand.

Dr. Megan far exceeded my expectations. She is extremely caring, talented, educated, and attentive. I am so thankful for her, she truly changed my life in the best way possible! I feel great knowing I 100% chose the right surgeon for my procedure.

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DIASTASIS REPAIR RECOVERY

Recovery after a Diastasis Repair generally takes 4 to 6 weeks. Your abdomen will feel tight, and it's common to hunch over a bit for the first week — an abdominal binder helps support you through this, and you'll wear one for a minimum of one week. Some patients experience muscle spasms as the repair settles in; Flexeril can help if that happens to you.

Walking immediately after surgery is encouraged. Exercise can increase gradually a few weeks out, depending on how you're healing and what type of activity you're returning to — but dedicated abdominal exercises need to wait a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.

Can I Get A Recurrence Of My Diastasis After Correction?

Yes, while unlikely to reoccur, pregnancy, weight gain, non-compliance during the healing period or anything that causes significant increase abdominal pressure over time can cause recurrence

I Have A "Mommy Pouch". Is This From My Diastasis?

Yes, bulging of the abdomen after pregnancy is caused by loose abdominal fascia and muscle separation, both of which can be addressed surgically with a Seattle tummy tuck.

When Can I Start Exercising After My Rectus Diastasis Repair?

Generally, 6-8 weeks is required before returning to vigorous abdominal exercise. Lighter exercises can be performed sooner with the approval of your plastic surgeon.

What Exercises Can I Try To Correct My Diastasis?

Isolation of the transverses abdominis, NOT traditional ab exercises, is the best way to help correct the muscle separation. This muscle lines the innermost layer of your core.