The abdominal muscles that create the “six pack” on the stomach are prone to stretching with weight gain, pregnancy or strain. The vertical, parallel abdominal muscles can separate when the stomach expands – this is normal during pregnancy and may also occur with weight gain. After pregnancy or weight loss, not all abdominal muscles retract to their previous position, resulting in diastasis recti, or separated abdominal muscles. As part of our cosmetic body procedures at Uptown Body Contouring, we offer diastasis recti repair surgery at our clinic in NYC.
Diastasis recti most commonly impacts women who have been pregnant multiple times, but it can occur with anyone with stretched abdominal muscles. The separated muscles do not resume their connected appearance, and the stomach can protrude outward. Even when the fat is lost from the abdomen, there is a “pooch” due to the separated muscles. Not only can it impact the abdomen appearance, but it can also contribute to back pain, hernia risks, incontinence and other problems in the lower abdomen.
Abdominal Muscle Repair Surgery
Diastasis recti repair is similar to abdominoplasty, but it focuses on the abdomen muscles only. A tummy tuck can repair the muscles, but also removes excess skin and fat. With diastasis recti repair, the parallel abdominal muscles are reconnected and sutured together to tighten and flatten the stomach. This procedure can be done in conjunction with a tummy tuck or as a solo surgery.
Dr. Daniel Del Vecchio is a board certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience in body sculpting and shaping through plastic surgery. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your stomach due to diastasis recti or you are experiencing health concerns from your condition, repair surgery is the best solution. Diastasis recti repair can restore a stronger, flatter abdomen after pregnancy or weight loss, with or without a tummy tuck.
To learn more about repairing separated abdominal muscles and flattening your stomach, come see us at Uptown Body Contouring. We have a location in Manhattan and welcome patients from all over the world at our upscale NYC clinic. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Del Vecchio to determine if diastasis recti repair surgery is right for you.