After events such as weight loss or pregnancy, many patients struggle with a condition called diastasis recti, which is the separation of the abdominal muscles. (1) This condition can cause a weakened core, poor posture, or a bulging abdomen. While targeted exercise can sometimes be beneficial, patients often require surgical intervention to achieve substantial improvements.
At Austin Plastic Surgeon, our team of experienced surgeons can help you restore the strength and appearance of your abdomen using specialized surgical techniques during a tummy tuck. Each surgeon offers years of extensive experience and is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care possible.
To get started, please schedule a consultation online or call the office closest to you:
Contents
About Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti, or diastasis recti abdominis, is the separation of the abdominal muscles at the midline, often caused by weakness in the abdominal wall. While this condition is commonly seen in post-partum patients, many massive weight loss patients also experience lingering muscle separation. Diastasis recti often manifests as a bulge in the stomach or general abdominal instability. In some cases, it can contribute to urinary stress incontinence and back pain if not resolved. (1)
About Tummy Tucks
A tummy tuck is a surgical body contouring procedure that removes excess skin while tightening the abdominal muscles to restore a more flattering and proportionate figure. Also known as an abdominoplasty, this procedure can not only address aesthetic concerns but also repair diastasis recti. (2) Tummy tucks are one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in the country, with American surgeons performing more than 171,000 procedures in 2024 alone. (3) At Austin Plastic Surgeon, we offer several variations of tummy tucks to correct and address a wide range of concerns, including the full tummy tuck, fleur de lis tummy tuck, circumferential tummy tuck, post-weight-loss tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and a tummy tuck with muscle tightening.
Candidates
Individuals with stretched, separated, or bulging abdominal muscles that will not improve with exercise and dieting may benefit from a tummy tuck with muscle tightening. Those seeking to address excess skin and fat around their midsection may also make suitable candidates for a tummy tuck. Women exploring this procedure should complete planning their families, as future pregnancy may cause their muscles to separate again. Patients who recently underwent a weight-loss transformation should also be at a stable and maintainable weight.
Anyone interested in this procedure should be in good overall health and hold realistic expectations regarding their results. Our surgical team will determine each patient’s candidacy for a tummy tuck during their consultation. The wide range of tummy tuck options available allows the procedure to be tailored to each patient.
Personal Consultation
During a personal consultation, one of our surgeons will meet with you one-on-one to discuss what a tummy tuck involves and whether this procedure is right for you. They will ask you about your medical history, current prescriptions, concerns, and treatment goals. They will also evaluate your abdomen.
Your surgeon will use the information shared throughout the consultation to determine your candidacy and develop your treatment plan. They will recommend the best techniques for your concerns and tailor certain aspects of the procedure to match your unique anatomy. Throughout the consultation, they will also take the time to answer any questions you may have, as we want you to feel confident about your procedure. Through this combination of careful listening and evaluation, your surgeon can provide you with a personalized treatment plan that delivers each of your goals.
To schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please contact us online or call your preferred office:
Preparation
Before your procedure, your surgeon will provide a set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. These instructions may vary depending on your unique treatment plan and circumstances, but often include:
- Discontinue using blood-thinning medication and supplements, as these can increase your risk of bleeding
- Avoid alcohol consumption for several days before and after your procedure
- Completely cease any smoking or nicotine use several weeks in advance
- Arrange transportation home from your procedure
- Prepare to take time away from your career and other commitments
- Fill prescriptions ahead of time
Procedure
Our surgeons typically perform tummy tucks on an outpatient basis and with patients under general anesthesia.
Your surgeon will begin your tummy tuck by placing an incision in the lower abdominal area, typically lower than the C-section scars. The length of the scar varies depending on the type of tummy tuck procedure being performed. It can be a mini that may be as small as a C-section scar to a fleur-de-lis or circumferential tummy tuck. Often, liposuction is performed with the tummy tuck to further contour your waist and overall shape. Liposuction sculpts and shapes the body, helping to remove any stubborn fat deposits. The fat may also be used to further enhance your overall shape. The fat can be used to augment the breasts, hip dips, or your muscles! From there, your surgeon will tighten and strengthen your muscles to correct your diastasis recti or other muscle weakness. They will also excise any hanging or sagging skin and tissue from around the midsection, redefining and contouring your waist. After they sculpt your desired look, your surgeon will inject Exparel, a non-opioid post-surgical anesthetic, to enhance your comfort during recovery. Finally, they will carefully close your incisions using progressive tension sutures to decrease the need for drains. This improves the overall recovery from your tummy tuck. Then the incision is closed in multiple layers, and a surgical glue is applied as a dressing.
Recovery
After your procedure, you can expect to experience swelling, bruising, and general discomfort around your abdomen. These effects are temporary and will dissipate on their own, but you can also manage them with prescribed pain medications. After approximately three weeks, you may return to work, but you will need to continue refraining from participating in physical activities or other strenuous tasks. Your surgeon may also ask you to attend follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery and ensure your results are progressing as expected. Your surgeon will provide and discuss any additional recovery instructions in person.
Results
You will be able to see improvements in your appearance immediately after your procedure, but the full results of your tummy tuck will become more apparent as your swelling subsides. Once you fully heal, you will be able to experience improvements in your core strength and posture, as well as a significantly flatter, tighter, and smoother stomach. Many patients also report a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence after seeing their recontoured figure. The results of your tummy tuck are long-lasting, but you can enhance and prolong them with healthy lifestyle habits.
Corresponding Procedures
Your surgeon may perform other procedures in conjunction with your tummy tuck to address additional concerns within the same procedure.
Liposuction
Many patients choose to pair their procedure with liposuction. Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes stubborn deposits of fat from around the body. This procedure utilizes a thin, suctioning tube called a cannula to break down deposits of fat before aspirating them from the body. Liposuction is frequently a key step in other surgical procedures, including tummy tucks, but patients can also undergo it as a standalone procedure to sculpt and redefine their figure.
Fat Transfer
A fat transfer can complement the results of a tummy tuck by reinjecting removed fat into areas that could benefit from enhancement. This procedure can be used to fill in hip dips, enhance the breasts, and make muscles stand out more (muscle augmentation).
To learn more about the other procedures that you can combine with your diastasis recti repair, please read our blog!
Cost of Tummy Tucks in Austin, Texas
The cost of your tummy tuck can vary depending on the surgical techniques your surgeon uses, the extent of the corrections, whether you undergo any additional procedures, and several other factors. Your surgeon will provide a comprehensive cost estimate after establishing your treatment plan during your consultation. Austin Plastic Surgeon additionally offers several financing options to make patients’ goals more accessible.
To receive the cost of your tummy tuck, please schedule a consultation online or call the office most convenient for you:
FAQ
What is diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti is the separation of the abdominal muscles, often caused by significant weight fluctuations or pregnancy. This condition can lead to a bulged appearance in the abdomen, a weaker core, and may even cause long-term posture issues.
Can a tummy tuck repair diastasis recti?
Yes, a tummy tuck procedure can correct diastasis recti. During a tummy tuck, your surgeon can tighten and fix any separated muscles, restoring a flatter, smoother, and stronger abdomen.
Will working out fix my diastasis recti?
While certain exercises may improve mild cases, surgical intervention is usually most effective and long-lasting.
How long will the results of my tummy tuck last?
The results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting; however, future pregnancies and weight fluctuations can alter the long-term effects of your procedure, making it important to exercise regularly and maintain a balanced diet.
Can I combine my tummy tuck with another procedure?
Yes, you can combine your tummy tuck with another procedure if you are interested in addressing another concern alongside your diastasis recti. For more information on combining your procedure, please schedule a personal consultation with our surgical team.
References
- Hall H, Sanjaghsaz H. Diastasis Recti Rehabilitation. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573063/
- Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/
- ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
