Can a separation of the rectus abdominis muscle be repaired with a mini tummy tuck? during my pregnancy, i developed a split in my abdominal muscle. my son is 13 months old now, and the separation hasn't healed. i know it can be fixed during an abdominopl

For : For a pregnancy to proceed to term the tummy muscle and the skin and fat over them must be stretched out and split. This is reflected in the all too common muscle split (in medicalese diastasis recti) and loose, hanging and stretch marks covered skin. These cannot be reversed by non-surgical means such as diet, exercise or by using thousands of bogus cures (found in the back of women's magazines). For women to regain a flat tummy with a narrower, hourglass waist the tummy muscles which are always stretched and split must be brought together. A mini-tummy tuck can only correct the tummy below the belly button and sincer most women were stretched above the belly button as well the operation is limioted and often results in disappointing results in women who had one or more children. Please, read the link below to inform yourself better. Good luck. Peter a aldea, md memphis plastic surgery.

No: A mini tummy tuck does not address the muscle separation.

It may: Your surgery must be individualized to your condition, you must be examined before getting an opinion.

Technically possible: Although technically possible, it is more difficult and may be limited. If you have that much of rectus diastasis and have had a large belly, mini tummy tuck may not be the right choice and will not achieve the best result for you.

Partly: A mini tummy tuck can be used to repair muscle separation beow the umbilicus (belly-button). If the diastasis (separation of the rectus muscles in the midline) extends above the umbilicus, then a modifed or full tummy tuck is required, .

Full Tummy Tuck: In my opinion, the mini tummy tuck is an  operation that  produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small and the abdominal wall muscle separation is only partially “repaired”.

Half way: You can really only address the lower abdominal muscle separation with a mini tummy tuck. Being overly aggressive with who you do a mini on can lead to a belly button that is too low. To address muscle separation of the entire abdominal wall i recommend a full tummy tuck.