This term is often used when discussing post-pregnancy tummies, whether in relation to muscle weakness, on Pilates websites or in forums on abdominal physiotherapy. We asked tummy tuck expert and Purity Bridge Consultant Plastic Surgeon Chris Macdonald for his thoughts on this common problem…

 

“Diastasis recti is the medical term for the separation of your six pack muscles in the front and middle of your abdomen.

This can happen to anybody but the most common causes in my patients are pregnancy, weight gain and the ageing process” says Chris.

“During pregnancy this is caused by a combination of pressure pushing the muscles apart and the effects of hormonal changes (preparing the body for labour) that soften the strong fibres that normally hold them together.

In many women this gap disappears after pregnancy but in a large number of women it never recovers. There are some patients who see an improvement with core strengthening exercises, Pilates and/or supportive garments only.”

What is the effect of diastasis recti?
Chris explains that “diastasis recti can cause a wide variety of problems which can be both cosmetic and functional. As the front of your abdomen is weakened by the gap it can cause a large bulge and some patients can look pregnant. As the gap weakens your “core” it can also cause back pain and poor posture. There is also evidence that diastasis recti can be responsible for bowel symptoms, and pelvic floor weakness symptoms such as mild urinary incontinence and leaking.”

What can be done to improve diastasis recti?
“If you have a symptomatic muscle gap but good skin quality and don’t have any skin or fat that you want removing then you might be suitable for a minimal access endoscopic repair. Much more commonly the muscle gap can be addressed during an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck operation. While excess skin and fat is being removed and the remaining skin is thinned out and tightened, it is easy to bring the muscles back together and repair them. The “six pack” muscles are usually brought back together from below the ribcage all the way down to your pubic bone and held there with 2 rows of strong and long-lasting sutures.”

“Repairing the midline gap should instantly flatten out your abdomen and make the bulge disappear. Putting the muscles back together restores your core and can return them to a better functioning length. This may make it easier to exercise and can improve strength” says Chris.

“After the repair you do need to allow time for everything to heal and stick back together. It will be a few weeks before you can comfortably activate the muscles and usually 6 weeks before you start returning to exercise properly. During this time, you would benefit from an abdominal binder or compression garment to support the repair, alongside manual lymphatic drainage massage. These also have the added benefit of helping reduce swelling, improving healing and making everything more comfortable.”

If you want to discuss muscle repairs, diastasis recti or abdominoplasties and tummy-tucks then please contact leila@crmaesthetics.com to book a consultation with Chris Macdonald. For more information on tummy tucks, please click here https://www.puritybridge.co.uk/procedure/cosmetic-surgery/tummy-tucks/