Diastasis recti is when the large parallel muscle bands (rectus abdominis muscles) that normally meet in the middle of your abdomen get stretched out and separate. This can cause a bulge down the middle of your abdomen, most noticeable when tensing the muscles such as sitting up from a lying position. It does not pose any medical risk but can create an unsightly bulge despite diet and exercise. It may also be associated with muscle imbalance and low back pain since the abdominal muscles are not positioned optimally. Diastasis is most commonly associated with pregnancy, as the uterus grows and stretches the muscles in the abdomen to accommodate the growing baby. Indeed, it can be seen in up to 66% of women in the third trimester of pregnancy. It will often resolve or improve by 1 year postpartum, but can persist in up to 30-60% of women. Diastasis can also be seen in both men and women following significant weight gain, as the accumulating visceral fat stretches out the abdominal wall.
What are the Symptoms of Diastasis Recti?
- your body feels imbalanced
- ongoing lower back pain
- a tummy that is bulging or “poochy”
- when you sit up, you can see a trench running vertically down your belly
- it feels harder to sit or stand tall
- lifting or holding your children feels hard
Diastasis can sometimes improve with targeted exercises or physical therapy. However, a very wide diastasis will likely require surgery to repair. Dr.Won always investigates for diastasis in her tummy tuck patients, and will repair it at the time of the surgery. This entails plicating, or folding, the top layer that is stretched out (the rectus sheath) and bringing the muscles back to the midline with suture. This will eliminate the bulging seen in diastasis and create a more flat, attractive contour.
Dr. Won, Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon
During your free consultation with Dr. Won, she will go over with you what will be required to get the desired results that you are looking for and advise you what to expect during the recovery process.
Dr. Won is passionate about creating personalized care for each of her patients. She strives to understand your vision and goals for your body, and offers her services and guidance to achieve exactly what you are looking for. She believes that self-confidence is one of the key foundations for living your best life and offers high-quality care, both in surgery and during the recovery process to achieve the best results possible.
It’s natural to be a little anxious before undergoing any type of procedure, however Dr. Won can answer all of your questions and give you an idea of what to expect in order to put your mind at ease. You will be able to realize immediate results after your surgery and your confidence will certainly be boosted, so we hope you are as excited as we are to see the new and improved you!
Dr. Won is an experienced, Board-Certified surgeon. She is also a Fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, having completed hundreds of procedures. Her experience and passion for what she does ensures that you can feel confident by choosing her for your cosmetic surgery needs.
Are you a Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to wait until you have reached your goal weight before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure. Additionally, if you are still planning on having children, it is best to wait until you have had your child and recovered from the pregnancy. The reason for this is because weight fluctuations can affect the long-lasting benefits that are gained from having cosmetic surgery. Additionally, if you are currently a smoker, you will need to stop completely prior to undergoing any type of procedures since smoking can affect both the healing process and the results gained from a procedure. Also, it is important that you have a positive attitude and a realistic outlook about what surgery can do for you. An unhealthy lifestyle and poor overall health and fitness can wreak havoc on your appearance.
Dr. Won is Now Offering Free “Virtual” Consultations
The safety of our patients is of utmost importance. To limit your exposure and keep you safe, Dr. Won is now offering her Free Consultation appointment via Telemedicine if that is your preference. In your Consultation, Dr. Won will provide you with all of the information that you need about your options and what procedures would be best for what you want to accomplish. She’ll explain exactly what is involved and give you a price quote.
You will be able to see her, face to face, through your computer or tablet, and receive her expertise, get your questions answered, and learn more about any procedure that you may be interested in having!
Your appointment will occur real time, as if you were face to face, with no health risk whatsoever to you. We look forward to meeting you!
We also have an insurance coordinator for those wishing to look into insurance coverage for procedures that qualify.
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