Plastic surgery for diastasis recti: what to consider

Diastasis recti is a widening and thinning of the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles. It can create a midline bulge, reduced trunk support, back discomfort, or difficulty controlling the abdominal wall. The appearance of a gap does not alone determine treatment, and a hernia may coexist or need separate attention.

A plastic surgeon may discuss abdominal wall repair, often alongside removal of excess skin. The operation, scars, anaesthesia, recovery limits, and possible need for drains depend on your anatomy and health. A consultation should distinguish a cosmetic goal from pain, weakness, or another abdominal problem.

Ask for an examination of the abdominal wall and an explanation of whether physiotherapy could improve control, breathing, lifting mechanics, or symptoms. Postnatal Physiotherapy may be useful, especially when pregnancy or recent birth is part of the history. Tell the surgical team about future pregnancy plans, previous operations, medicines, smoking, and medical conditions.

If surgery is chosen, plan help with lifting and childcare, follow instructions about activity, and keep follow-up appointments. Recovery is gradual; increasing pain, fever, wound separation, or new swelling should be reported rather than managed by pushing through activity.

Before surgery, seek urgent assessment for a painful firm bulge that cannot be pushed back, vomiting with abdominal pain, or inability to pass stool or gas. After surgery, urgent help is needed for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, sudden leg swelling, or rapidly worsening abdominal pain. Contact the surgical team for fever, spreading redness, pus, heavy wound bleeding, or wound opening.

Ask what problem the operation is intended to solve, whether a hernia is present, what rehabilitation is expected, where scars will sit, which activities need restriction, and how a future pregnancy could affect the result. Ask how complications would be handled and when you can safely lift.