Postpartum abdominal diastasis is a widely prevalent condition that affects many women after childbirth. This is a separation of the abdominal muscle bands that separate as they move apart. It is caused by the dilation of the belly in the last months of pregnancy due to the pressure of the fetus and the weakening of connective tissues of hormonal origin.
After childbirth, women experience a gap between the abdominal muscles that tends to reduce physiologically after some time (4 to 5 months). Often, however, there persists between the two muscle bands a more or less extensive area devoid of muscles (diastasis precisely), felt as a kind of hole, which can cause various discomforts both aesthetic and functional.
It can often concomitant, in fact, difficulty breathing, bloating, lower back pain, incontinence, and abdominal pain (probable hernia discharge).
How to get rid of postpartum abdominal diastasis
Diagnosis is usually obtained by ultrasound of the abdominal wall. Ultrasonography then allows the degree of diastasis of the muscles to be assessed so that the correct therapeutic treatment can be directed.
- Diastasis under 2 cm: In the incipient stages, when muscle integrity is not excessively compromised, good results can be achieved with targeted physiotherapy training (performed with the help of experienced physiotherapists). It must be said, however, that with physical therapy, stabilization or partial reduction of diastasis can be achieved, but a return to the appearance of the pre-pregnancy belly will be difficult to achieve. However, physical therapy can also play an important role as preparation for surgery. The muscles thus made more toned make recovery and return to normal activities better.
- Diastasis above 2 cm simple: can resolve with miniadominoplasty surgery. The procedure, under general anesthesia, involves a small suprapubic incision (which can be easily concealed) through which the relaxed muscle bands are reached, which are reinforced and re-stretched with strong stitches so that an immediate flattening of the belly is achieved. The surgery is frequently associated with liposuction to remove excess fat. The surgery usually requires a week of convalescence after which you can return to normal activity. Lately, even less invasive surgical techniques are being used (laparoscopy and endoscopy) with which the same result is achieved but with even less convalescence and, most importantly, leaving minimal scarring.
- Diastasis with excess skin: excess skin resulting in rubbing of the dermato-adipose apron may be responsible for forms of skin dermatitis (intertrigo). In these cases,abdominoplasty is used to reshape the postpartum abdomen. The surgical procedure is similar to the previous one, but differs in a larger incision and abdominal lift The skin is pulled down and excess skin, often containing stretch marks, is removed. Retensioning sometimes needs to be followed by repositioning (transposition) of the umbilicus. In these cases, recovery is somewhat longer and requires the use of restraining bands for at least a month.
In essence, the treatment of postpartum diastasis depends largely on the separation distance that has been created between the rectus abdominis muscles. It is important to refer to specialist cosmetic surgeons for the correct corrective surgical approach.
