Diastasis surgery: when to do it and how is recovery

Surgery is one of the last forms of treatment for abdominal diastasis, which is done when the other less invasive forms do not show the expected results.

During this type of surgery, the doctor sews the abdominal muscles using a special thread that does not break or deteriorate. Usually this procedure is performed by laparoscopy, in which the surgeon makes three small cuts in the belly to insert the instruments and to be able to sew the muscles, without having to leave a large scar. But if there is excess skin, the surgeon can also choose to have a conventional surgery, in order to give a better appearance to the belly.

Abdominal diastasis is the removal of abdominal muscles that leaves the belly flaccid, with excess skin, accumulation of fat and when pressing the fingers against the abdominal wall, a 'hole in the belly' can be felt. Learn the exercises that can prevent this plastic surgery.

How is the recovery from this plastic surgery

Recovery from surgery to correct abdominal diastasis takes a little time and requires some care to avoid infection, for example.

What it feels like:

After waking up from surgery many people report that they feel their muscles are very tight, but this tends to improve in 6 to 8 weeks, when the body begins to get used to the new abdominal space.

It is normal for sensitivity to be reduced, especially at the scar sites, but this tends to improve over the months, and usually within 1 year, there has already been a great improvement.

The person wakes up a few hours after the surgery and must wear a brace for 3 weeks. After the 2nd or 3rd day of the surgery, the person can return home, where they must follow some precautions to recover completely.

Daily care:

It is advisable to do one Lymphatic Drainage session per day, for the first 15 days to remove excess fluids and avoid the risk of creating seroma, which is the accumulation of fluid at the scar site. Read more about lymphatic drainage and its benefits.

Exercises and lifting heavy objects with more than 10% of your own body weight should only be done after 6 weeks of surgery. And when returning to physical exercise, it is advisable to start with aerobic exercises, such as walking, running, cycling or swimming, for example.

For a better recovery, the ideal is that even people who work seated, take 1 or 2 weeks of vacation to have the surgery.

How to feed:

The ideal is to eat foods rich in fiber to avoid constipation, in addition, you should drink about 2 liters of water or unsweetened tea daily to soften the stool. Fruits and vegetables are welcome, but fried or fat-rich foods should be avoided. The proteins present in eggs and white meats help to speed healing and can be consumed once a day. Here's what else to eat to improve healing:

How to bathe:

It is only allowed to take a shower 7 to 8 days after the surgery, so before that the bath should only be done sitting in the shower with another person to help. It is important not to bend the body forward and that is why one should not walk too much, it is ideal to remain lying with the belly facing upwards, without allowing any folds to form in the belly, nor to stretch the skin too much, because if that happens, the abdomen may be marked, requiring a correction of the surgery.

Warning signs to go to the doctor

After 7 days, you should go back to the doctor who performed the operation so that he can assess how the recovery is going. If necessary, the dressings can be changed on this date, but it is advisable to go to the doctor or the emergency room if you have signs and symptoms such as: