I have a severe diastasis after birth of second child. Is there any other types of surgery to rectify aesthetics of belly button?

Your questions answered by our surgeon, Lucian Ion, FRCS(Plast)

Asked on 12 May 2011

Question

Is it possible to rectify a divarification of abdominus recti muscles with an exercise programme or do they always need stitiching together in an abdominoplasty?

I have a severe diastasis after birth of second child. Is there any other types of surgery - keyhole or smaller scar incision, etc to rectify aesthetics of belly button?

Answer

It very much depends on the quality of the abdominal skin. If the skin is relatively elastic, it is possible to correct the diastasis using an endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty, which can sometimes be carried out all from the belly button.

It involves also liposuction to the abdominal skin. When the diastasis (divarication) is very wide, it is frequently associated with thinning of the central abdominal skin, making endoscopic correction impractical.

Exercise can help build up the rectus muscles bulk and reduces the size of the diastasis, but cannot eliminate it.

Mr Lucian Ion FRCS(Plast)
129 Harley Street
London
W1G 6BA