Split abdominal muscles, or rectus diastasis, can be effectively treated by tightening the abdominal muscles with surgery.
The most common cause of split abdominal muscles is pregnancy in women. During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles and the entire abdominal wall are stretched and the abdominal muscles become further apart.
Unfortunately, muscles don't always return to their original position after birth and this can lead to persistent discomfort.
To correct split abdominal muscles and return them to their original position, we perform an operation where we stitch the abdominal muscles together.
To gain access to the abdominal muscles, we need to perform a tummy tuck. The most suitable method is tailored to the individual, and there are different methods depending on your needs.
To determine which method is most suitable for you, we recommend a non-binding consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons.
At our clinic, we offer specialized help to all women who experience split abdominal muscles after pregnancy.
Our team of experts will guide you through the whole process and make sure you get the best possible treatment. Get in touch today to arrange a consultation and we can assess whether this could be relevant for you.
Anaesthesia
7-21 days
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After 7-14 days and 3-6 months
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Our plastic surgeon Ståle Buhagen has been a guest in podcasts to the National Association for Female Pelvic Health (LKB). You will hear how women's health is discussed from a plastic surgery perspective. Special focus on split abdominal muscles (Rectus diastasis). An episode you won't want to miss! Listen to it here (Spotify)
Split abdominal muscles, or rectus diastasis, is a condition where the straight abdominal muscles, the rectus abdominis muscles, are further apart in the midline than normal. Normally, the distance between the rectus abdominis muscles is up to two cm. When the distance is greater than two cm, there is rectus diastasis. The area between the abdominal muscles is called the linea alba (the white line) and is a kind of muscle tendon. This tissue consists of connective tissue, not muscles. Those with well-developed muscles and little subcutaneous fat will be able to see the demarcation of the straight abdominal muscles, and divided abdominal muscles can then be diagnosed at a glance.
Split abdominal muscles occur most frequently in women who have been pregnant. However, there are several factors that can predispose to split abdominal muscles, including heredity. Patients who have lost a lot of weight can also experience this. Both women and men are affected.
During pregnancy, the abdominal wall stretches a lot. The distance between the straight abdominal muscles increases. After pregnancy, the vast majority of women will have an increased distance between the abdominal muscles for a period of time. For many, the abdominal muscles will return to an almost normal position, but for a relatively large proportion of women, the muscles will not return to their "normal" position. The distance between the straight abdominal muscles is then greater than before the pregnancy. This can lead to a protruding abdomen and also symptoms in the form of pelvic/cross-back pain.
For many people, split abdominal muscles do not cause any symptoms. In terms of appearance, you can get a protruding stomach, and many patients report that they feel quickly bloated after eating. Many patients also report that they feel they look pregnant. A correction of the divided abdominal muscles can effectively alleviate these symptoms. The stomach becomes flatter after surgery.
Split abdominal muscles also cause functional symptoms. This is often underestimated, both by patients themselves and by healthcare professionals. Typical symptoms of rectus diastasis are pain in the lower back and pelvis and often a feeling of instability in the lower back and not being able to rely on the lower back in different situations. Examples include pain or discomfort in the lower back or pelvis in connection with vacuuming and washing, when unloading or loading the dishwasher, when standing on one leg to put on clothes, when getting out of bed, when going for a walk or when running. The list could be much longer. Many women encounter attitudes in the healthcare system that show a lack of understanding of this problem, and are often told that they must exercise properly and accept the situation as it is. If the symptoms are caused by split stomachs, many women will experience significant improvement in such symptoms with the help of surgery. To assess whether this may be relevant for you, we recommend a non-binding consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. Click here to contact us if you are wondering if this could be relevant for you.
Many women who undergo a tummy tuck can have their abdominal muscles sewn together at the same time, provided they have split abdominal muscles
To get this operation, you must, among other things:
If you're wondering if you're a candidate for such an operation, get in touch for a no-obligation consultation with one of our plastic surgeons.
Patients who have additional diseases, such as cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, must be assessed individually to determine whether they can tolerate surgery. For us at Klinikk A, the patient's safety is the most important thing. If the risk is considered too high, we cannot offer surgery here.
Patients with a lot of fullness on the inside of the stomach are also not suitable candidates for surgery. When the abdominal muscles are to be sewn together, it is important that there is no fullness on the inside of the abdomen pressing against it. This means that the desired effect of the operation cannot be achieved, and the risk of performing an operation increases.
During an operation, the surgeon will assess whether it is safe to perform an operation. If necessary, the anesthesiologist is also consulted to clarify whether it is safe to operate.
To assess whether you have split abdominal muscles, it's important to consult doctors and healthcare professionals who have good knowledge and experience of the problem. The diagnosis is usually easy to make clinically if the doctor is familiar with the problem. It is also possible to make the diagnosis using ultrasound, CT and MRI, but this is not usually necessary. At Klinikk A, we can perform ultrasound to verify the diagnosis.
Before any surgery, you will be given an appointment for a consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. Book an appointment with our plastic surgeons for a non-binding consultation.
Many people wonder what a consultation involves. During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will listen to your wishes and needs. One of the goals of the consultation is to answer any questions you may have. To achieve this, we set aside plenty of time. After the consultation, you should have a good overview of the treatment options that may be available and the advantages or disadvantages of the various options. Together, we will then agree on which treatment may be appropriate.
When you arrive at the clinic, one of our employees will hand you a form to fill in in the waiting area. The consultation itself begins in the doctor's office, where we start by going through what the individual wants to be assessed for. The dialog between the patient and the plastic surgeon is crucial for determining the best treatment. Information such as previous illnesses, allergies, regular medication and the like is then reviewed while the surgeon writes the patient's medical records.
In each office, we have a sheltered changing area where the patient undresses as necessary. Photos are normally documented as a standard part of the medical record information. The system we use for photo documentation is approved and in line with GDPR.
The surgeon then performs the necessary examinations of the area in question and makes recommendations regarding treatment options. During the consultation, the surgeon tries to give as realistic a picture as possible of what the individual can expect after surgery. All patients have different starting points, so it will not be possible to explain exactly what the result will be for each individual. Our goal at Klinikk A is for each patient to be satisfied with their choices, and for the decision-making basis to be as good as possible when the choice is made. Well-informed patients make good choices.
It is not permitted to show before and after pictures on websites in Norway. During the consultation, however, it is permitted to show before and after pictures. The surgeon can then show examples of patients who have undergone similar operations.
When rectus diastasis is corrected, i.e. surgery for divided abdominal muscles, the abdominal muscles are sewn together. To gain access to the abdominal muscles, the surgeon must make an incision as in abdominoplasty. The advantage of this is that the surgeon can tighten any loose skin in the same session. The type of abdominoplasty depends on the patient's wishes and needs, the quality of the skin and the degree of loose skin. During a preoperative consultation, the surgeon will go through the pros and cons of the different options.
If you only have rectus diastasis and no loose skin, a modified tummy tuck may be the best option. This produces the smallest scar and avoids scars around the navel.
If you have rectus diastasis and loose skin, a full abdominoplasty may be the best option. You will then be able to tighten the skin both above and below the navel, at the same time as the divided abdominal muscles are sewn together. Read more about tummy tucks here.
In our experience, most patients have a smooth recovery after surgery for split abdominal muscles. Many wonder how painful it is after such an operation. Patients' experiences when it comes to pain vary. Most describe discomfort, soreness and the feeling of being "battered". Direct pain is not usually reported. How individuals experience the first period after surgery varies from person to person. Klinikk A uses a method of surgery and anesthesia that means patients rarely experience intense pain in the first two to three days after surgery.
Once the operation is complete, patients are transferred to our post-operative ward, where our staff look after them. As you wake up, you will be given something to drink and something light to eat. Some people will feel a little restless and fidgety for the first 24-48 hours. This is due to the medication given. During the first few days, most people experience some degree of discomfort in the operated area. This will normally subside during the first few days after surgery.
For the first two to three days, you should aim for very quiet activity. However, you can gradually resume simple, everyday activities immediately after surgery. You can walk carefully upstairs, but still take care and listen to your body. After 7 to 10 days, activity can be gradually increased. You can start gentle exercise three weeks after surgery. After an operation where the abdominal muscles are sewn together, you wait 8 to 12 weeks before exercising your abdominal muscles.
During the operation, liquid plasters and Micropore tape are usually applied directly to the scars. Absorbent bandages, usually Mepore bandages, are applied over this. These absorbent bandages are removed at the first shower. The tape attached to the skin should not be removed before the first check-up at Klinikk A after 7 to 14 days. The tape will become damp when you shower, but it will air-dry quickly, or alternatively it can be dried gently with a hairdryer. You can shower 4 days after surgery. We recommend taping the scars for 3 - 6 months after surgery to keep the scars looking their best, as long as you do not have an allergic reaction to the tape.
We recommend waiting 3-4 days before showering after surgery for rectal diastasis. When showering, remove the compression garment and absorbent bandage (often a white Mepore bandage). The tape is left on during showering. It becomes damp but dries quickly. After showering, there is usually no need to use an absorbent bandage again. If fluid is leaking from some parts of the wound, you can apply an absorbent dressing to the relevant areas.
The first check-up is 7 to 14 days after surgery on Klinikk A. The final result will not be seen until a longer period of time has passed, which is why we schedule the next check-up after 3 - 12 months. During the first period after surgery, the tissue in the operated area is swollen due to the surgery. This is normal and natural, as an operation has been performed. The swelling tends to increase in the first few days and usually begins to subside 5 to 10 days after surgery. After three weeks, much of the swelling has gone down. In the phase that follows, the body needs time to adapt to the new situation. The tissue in the operated area is slowly but surely transformed into permanent, strong tissue.
All surgeries have a risk of complications.
There is always a risk of bleeding and infection after this type of surgery. At Klinikk A, we use safe, well-established methods and always do our utmost to reduce the risk of complications to a minimum.
Our surgeons are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round in connection with treatments that have been performed. To prevent complications, it is important that you follow the advice you are given in connection with the operation, read the information letter you have received carefully and stay calm in the initial period after the procedure.
Some people experience an altered sensation in the skin above the scar. The sensation can be both reduced and intensified, almost slightly hypersensitive to touch. In the vast majority of cases, the sensation normalizes over time.
Norwegian Health Informatics has fairly good and neutral information about split abdominal muscles.
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