A problem faced by more than half of women who give birth: it can cause not only aesthetic but also health problems.

Why does abdominal muscle diastase occur?

“Diastasis is the secretion of the rectus abdominis muscles that occurs during pregnancy, when the uterus enlarges as the fetus develops. The abdominal muscles along the umbilical line are connected by tendon tissue called the white line. When the pressure on the muscles becomes too great, the white line expands. This gives the baby more room to develop. Unfortunately, after pregnancy, the white line does not always contract on its own and the abdomen continues to protrude. Women generally say their stomachs look soft in the morning and bloat as soon as they eat or drink. Unfortunately, this is not just an aesthetic problem, “says Dr. G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė in a press release.

Pain and spinal problems.

“Women who develop diastase often complain of pain or a feeling of stretching that comes from exercising, lifting heavy objects, or even coughing. The body naturally shifts the load to another location to avoid pain. This tightens the muscles of the back, forms a faulty posture and can cause changes in the spine, ”says Dr. G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė. Neurologists and abdominal surgeons often refer patients with diastasis to plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

The abdominal hernia is at risk.

Without diastase treatment, the free area in the abdomen is occupied by the intestines, making a woman’s abdomen, which looks bloated, tired from bloating. The broad, thin white line becomes a weak part of the body; In this area, women can begin to form hernias in the abdominal wall, which can be caused by lifting a heavier object. “Abdominal hernias are treated surgically. When hernias occur, treatment and healing are more complicated, so patients are encouraged to “hook” the long abdominal muscles to prevent hernias and other complications, “advises the doctor at the Center for Diagnosis and Medical Treatment.

Does exercise and massage reduce diastase?

“Exercise strengthens muscles, but does not affect tendon tissue, so neither sports, massage, nor braces will help reduce diastase itself.” In this case, the only effective treatment is surgery, “says G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė, a doctor of plastic and reconstructive surgery. According to the doctor, diastase is not a rare phenomenon, it affects six out of ten women who give birth Only many accept it as a natural consequence of pregnancy. There are also no effective prevention measures to help prevent muscle breakdown. Diastasis can occur in both very athletic and non-athletic women.

If the pregnancy is not the last

“Diastase removal surgery, which joins the rectus muscles, is not a contraindication for another pregnancy. Diastase is just likely to come back during the next pregnancy and the operation will have to be repeated, “says G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė, a doctor of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Such surgeries are usually performed on women ages 30 to 45 who are no longer plan to become pregnant After the operation, the navel does not change its position, so if necessary, the woman can undergo laparoscopic operations later.

Is it possible to remove fat during diastase surgery?

“Ideally, we encourage patients to lose weight before surgery. However, we also perform combined operations: we can remove accumulated fat from the sides, as well as above the navel. We do not perform drastic liposuction, especially on the front of the abdominal wall, so as not to alter the blood circulation of the skin, “says Dr. G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė.

How to prepare for surgery?

Diastase surgery is performed under general anesthesia. They take from 2 to 4 hours. “As women who have recently had children generally suffer from diastase, we plan treatment at the end of the lactation period so that the medicines used during the operation are not transmitted to the baby with breast milk,” says Dr. G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė .

According to the doctor, in the first days there is a feeling of stretching in the abdomen due to the stitched muscles, but it finally passes. For a month, a woman must wear a special corset. Until the tissues are fully healed, physical exercises that tighten the abdominal muscles should be avoided, as well as objects weighing more than 5 kg.

Beauty also heals

Some women survive dramatically due to changes in body shape after pregnancy. It happens that you start to feel ashamed of your body, avoid intimacy, which is a direct path to crisis in the family. “During diastase operations, we form the contour of the abdomen, women recover the torso. It strengthens a woman’s self-confidence and has a positive effect on her and on the psychological health of the whole family. This is also very important,” she emphasizes. Dr. G. Stundžaitė-Baršauskienė.