Still Look Pregnant? Diastasis Recti Could Be the Reason

Posted November 20, 2017 in Diastasis Recti

Pregnancy can be incredibly rough on a woman’s body. For many women, the last few months before delivery seem torturous, as they feel “huge” and have difficulty bending over, sitting down, sleeping comfortably, and performing other everyday tasks. After pregnancy and childbirth, the body recovers gradually. However, some women may continue to look pregnant even years later. Diastasis recti is a common cause of this prolonged pregnancy appearance and can be corrected with a tummy tuck. Dr. Patronella’s True Form Tummy Tuck® can restore youthful and firm abdominal definition for postpartum women who want to recapture their pre-pregnancy contours.

What Is Diastasis Recti?

Diastasis recti is a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate during and after pregnancy. During pregnancy, enormous pressure is placed on the abdominal muscles. As the growing baby takes up increasingly more space, the abdominal muscle wall is stretched apart to accommodate the baby.

How Diastasis Recti Affects the Appearance of the Abdomen

The widening, stretching, and weakening of the abdominal wall can have long-lasting effects on the appearance of the abdomen. The weakening of the abdominal wall tissue causes the internal organs to protrude, creating the tummy pooch bulge. Even after the child is born and the pressure is relieved, a woman who has diastasis recti may have a continual stomach pooch that makes her look pregnant, especially after eating a large meal.

Correcting Diastasis Recti

Abdominal wall separation is best corrected with a tummy tuck. While core exercises can strengthen the muscle and slightly improve the bulge, they will not tighten the strong, tendon-like fascia tissue between the muscle and close the gap. Certain abdominal exercises can even worsen diastasis recti. A surgeon can correct this issue as a part of tummy tuck surgery. During your procedure, Dr. Patronella will tighten the abdominal muscles and sew them back together, eliminating the gap and restoring a natural abdominal tone. The True Form Tummy Tuck® uses specialized techniques designed to ensure that the results do not look surgically flat, but that the abdomen has natural definition and contours. This procedure can correct diastasis recti, eliminate the prolonged appearance of a pregnant tummy, and restore a firm, smooth abdomen.