Can a Mommy Makeover Repair Diastasis Recti?

Pregnancy can change your midsection in ways that exercise doesn’t always fix. When diastasis recti leaves a lingering abdominal bulge, a mommy makeover with a tummy tuck may repair the separated muscles and create a firmer abdominal contour.

At George P. Chatson, M.D., board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. George P. Chatson brings decades of experience and advanced training at Brown and Harvard to women in North Andover, MA, and Nashua, NH.

How Does a Mommy Makeover Repair Diastasis Recti?

A mommy makeover combines procedures based on the areas you want to improve after pregnancy. For diastasis recti, the key procedure is typically a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty.

During a tummy tuck, Dr. Chatson can surgically repair separated abdominal muscles while removing loose skin and stubborn fat around the abdomen. This can create a firmer, smoother abdominal contour. Tummy tuck surgery is one of several procedures that may be included in a mommy makeover, along with breast augmentation, a breast lift, or liposuction.

How Do You Know if You Have Diastasis Recti?

Some signs that may point to diastasis recti include:

• A noticeable abdominal bulge: Your stomach may protrude even after you’ve returned to a healthy weight.
• A ridge along the midsection: The separation may become more noticeable when you tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Changes that linger after pregnancy: The abdomen may remain rounded for a long time after childbirth.

Is Diastasis Recti Repair Right for You?

Several factors can help determine if diastasis recti repair as part of a mommy makeover is right for you:

• Your anatomy: The degree of abdominal muscle separation and loose skin can influence your surgical plan.
• Your overall health: Good general health is important when considering surgery.
• Your goals: Your specific concerns and the changes you want to see will help guide your options.
• Your plans for future pregnancies: Another pregnancy can stretch the abdominal wall again and affect your results, so Dr. Chatson generally recommends waiting until you’re satisfied with the number of children you have.

Discuss Mommy Makeover Surgery With Dr. Chatson

Persistent abdominal separation doesn’t always respond to workouts alone. A consultation with Dr. Chatson can help you understand the causes of your abdominal concerns and which mommy makeover procedures may suit your needs. 

To discuss a mommy makeover in North Andover, MA, or Nashua, NH, call George P. Chatson, M.D., at 978-687-1151 or 603-882-2103.