Before and after diastasis recti surgery

After surgery, protect the repair while gradually restoring comfortable walking, breathing, and everyday movement according to your surgeon's instructions. Recovery differs with the operation performed and whether a hernia or excess skin is treated at the same time.

Diastasis recti is a widening between the abdominal muscles along the midline connective tissue. Surgery usually brings the muscle coverings closer together; it does not simply strengthen weak muscles. Ask whether your plan includes an open or keyhole approach, hernia repair, skin removal, or surgical mesh, because these details affect the incision and aftercare.

A flatter-looking abdomen may be one goal, but comfort and function can change at a different pace. Swelling, tightness, bruising, altered skin sensation, and difficulty standing fully upright can occur early in recovery. The final contour cannot be judged while tissues are still healing.

Give the surgical team a complete list of medicines, supplements, allergies, previous abdominal operations, and any chance of pregnancy. Follow their instructions about eating, drinking, medicines, smoking, wound care, compression garments, driving, lifting, and returning to work. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless the clinician managing it agrees.

Arrange transport home and help with children, shopping, pets, and objects that require lifting. Keep frequently used items within easy reach. Short, regular walks can support circulation when your team permits them; avoid sit-ups, heavy lifting, or forceful straining until cleared. Use pain relief exactly as directed and support the abdomen when coughing if advised.

Contact the surgical team promptly for worsening redness, heat, swelling, wound opening, pus-like drainage, fever, pain that is increasing despite prescribed relief, persistent vomiting, or a new fluid-filled bulge. Seek urgent care for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, coughing blood, or painful swelling in one calf. Heavy bleeding or rapidly expanding abdominal swelling also needs urgent assessment.

Ask exactly what will be repaired, where scars are expected, whether drains or mesh may be used, and how long you should wear any support garment. Clarify when you may shower, drive, lift a child, exercise your core, sleep in your usual position, and resume sex. Also ask whom to contact outside clinic hours and whether postnatal physiotherapy fits your recovery plan.