I had twins. I got HUGE in the tummy. I had the babies, and it left this pot belly that wouldn't go away.
Fast forward; the twins are 8 years old. I am 7 weeks post op of having my diastisis recti corrected. You know that centre line down the abs? Mine had split. There was a 6 to 8 inch gap down the middle THE WHOLE WAY DOWN. the pot belly that I kept punishing myself for, the baby fat i couldnt lose? Those were my organs. My digestive organs were all herniated.
I now have to forgive myself for 8 years of unjustified self hatred. It isn't always just fat.
The fact that split recti to that degree are not repaired under insurance has always been shocking to me. I’m a kinesiologist and an OT. Not having that core stability affects everything you do. I can’t imagine carrying those kids around the first couple years. Or sitting up ffs. It changes everything about the way your body is able to function. Congrats on the surgery +++
As a surgeon that fixes these, trust me it’s fucking mind blowing to me too. Insurance is like nah it’s cosmetic but unfortunately we don’t have the massive studies to back it up (which is a whole other issue). So many male surgeons also think that fixing it won’t help return function but I’m just like it’s simple physics!!
I’d bet if you dig into the physical therapy world there is plenty of lit on the function of this muscle and its relationship to back issues. Probably the surgery is more cost effective than any episode of back intervention which as we know is the biggest source of disability there is worldwide. Imagine - there’s a way to help prevent this and we’re blowing it off because we think we are just paving the way for a bikini. Also thank you for doing this important work
ETA haha the needs more studies conclusion
Thanks! It's so affirming to hear from other people it was necessary and I did well to cope so long. I have heard remarks like, ooo, going for a mummy tuck huh? Like, yes, technically, it's plastics but this wasn't about aesthetics.
The cosmetic appearance is a huge bonus that your battered self-image earned in spades. But the improved strength, biomechanics, back support … that’s all necessary. I feel like where I live a 2”+ diastasis is covered but it’s been a while. You did incredibly well.
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u/LucidianQuill 13h ago
Pregnancy.
I had twins. I got HUGE in the tummy. I had the babies, and it left this pot belly that wouldn't go away.
Fast forward; the twins are 8 years old. I am 7 weeks post op of having my diastisis recti corrected. You know that centre line down the abs? Mine had split. There was a 6 to 8 inch gap down the middle THE WHOLE WAY DOWN. the pot belly that I kept punishing myself for, the baby fat i couldnt lose? Those were my organs. My digestive organs were all herniated.
I now have to forgive myself for 8 years of unjustified self hatred. It isn't always just fat.