Diastasis Recti Repair in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is diastasis recti repair?
Diastasis recti repair is treatment that narrows the gap between the two rectus muscles, the long vertical "six-pack" muscles at the front of the abdomen. In diastasis recti, these muscles have drifted apart and the band of connective tissue joining them, called the linea alba, has stretched thin. The result is a soft bulge or ridge down the middle of the tummy, most visible when you sit up from lying down.
The point most people miss is that the muscles themselves are intact. The problem lies in the stretched tissue between them, which is why exercise can improve the way the muscles work, and why surgery repairs the midline by folding and stitching that tissue rather than cutting any muscle.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, diastasis recti repair is provided by the general surgical team, with the full pathway from assessment to surgery carried out in-house.
Who needs it
Diastasis recti repair is for people whose abdominal muscles remain separated after pregnancy, or after large changes in weight, and who have symptoms such as a persistent midline bulge, a feeling of weakness in the core, lower back discomfort, or difficulty with lifting and exercise. It affects men too, particularly after significant weight gain or loss.
A degree of separation during pregnancy is normal, as the abdomen makes room for the baby, and the gap often narrows in the months after birth. The first step is a targeted exercise programme. Deep core exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, retrain the muscles underneath and improve how the abdominal wall supports the body. Support for this is available through the physiotherapy service, and the postnatal care team can include it in your recovery after birth.
Surgery is considered when the separation persists after a committed exercise programme, when it causes symptoms, or when it comes with an umbilical or midline hernia. Many people also have loose skin after pregnancy, and the surgeon discusses whether a combined operation suits you. The surgeon takes into account whether your family is complete, because a later pregnancy can stretch the repair again.
What happens
The consultation starts with an examination. Lying on your back and lifting your head, the surgeon measures the width and length of the gap with the fingertips, and an ultrasound scan may be arranged to measure it precisely and to check for a hernia.
Surgical repair is called plication. Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon folds the stretched midline tissue inwards and stitches the edges of the two muscle sheaths together with strong, long-lasting sutures, restoring a firm central line. The approach depends on what else needs attention:
- With a tummy tuck. When there is loose skin, plication is combined with an abdominoplasty. A low incision above the pubic hairline gives direct access to the muscles, the excess skin is removed, and the belly button is repositioned. The combined operation is performed at Dar Al Kamal Hospital.
- With a hernia repair. When an umbilical or midline hernia sits in the gap, it is repaired in the same operation, sometimes with a mesh for reinforcement. The options are described on the hernia repair page.
- Plication alone. Where the skin is firm and the main issue is the gap, the surgeon may plicate the muscles through a smaller incision, or laparoscopically through small cuts, if your anatomy suits it.
Your surgeon explains which approach fits your abdomen and why. Most people stay in hospital for a short period after the operation, particularly after a combined tummy tuck.
Preparing for it
A pre-operative assessment, blood tests and an anaesthetic review are arranged. Surgery is best planned once you have recovered from pregnancy and finished breastfeeding, and when your weight is stable. Stopping smoking well ahead of the operation helps the wound heal.
Bring a list of your medicines; blood thinners, hormonal medicines and diabetes medicines each need a plan. Buy a supportive abdominal binder if the team recommends one, and arrange help at home with lifting children and housework in the first weeks. If you would like surgery around Ramadan or the school holidays, raise the timing early.
Afterwards
The abdomen feels tight and sore at first, and walking slightly bent forward is normal for the first days. Short, frequent walks help circulation and recovery. An abdominal binder supports the repair and eases discomfort.
Lifting is the main restriction. The surgeon gives you a timeline for picking up children, driving, returning to work and restarting exercise, planned around your job and daily life. Core exercise is reintroduced gradually, ideally with a physiotherapist. Keep wounds clean and dry, and in the Sharjah heat choose loose, breathable clothing over the binder.
Contact the hospital urgently if a wound becomes red, hot or leaks, if you develop a fever, or if swelling increases on one side. **Go to the emergency department straight away if you have calf pain or swelling, chest pain or sudden breathlessness.**
Cost and insurance
Insurance cover for diastasis recti repair varies. When the repair is combined with a hernia repair for a symptomatic hernia, the hernia component is often covered with pre-approval. Plication for appearance and a tummy tuck are usually treated as cosmetic and self-funded. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check what your plan includes on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of diastasis recti repair?
The risks of diastasis recti repair include bleeding, infection, fluid collecting under the skin, slow wound healing, a blood clot in the leg and a reaction to the anaesthetic. The gap can widen again, especially after a later pregnancy or large weight changes. When combined with a tummy tuck, the scar and skin healing add their own risks. Your surgeon explains how these apply to you.
Can diastasis recti be fixed with exercise alone?
Diastasis recti can often be improved with targeted core exercise, especially in the first year after birth, because exercise strengthens the deep muscles that support the abdomen. Exercise cannot shorten tissue that has stretched a great deal, so a wide or long-standing gap may need surgical plication.
Is diastasis recti a hernia?
Diastasis recti is a hernia only when there is a defect in the abdominal wall. In diastasis recti, the connective tissue has thinned and widened but remains intact. A hernia, where tissue pushes through a gap, often sits alongside it, typically at the belly button, and is repaired in the same operation.
Can I get pregnant after diastasis recti repair?
You can get pregnant after diastasis recti repair, but a later pregnancy can stretch the midline again and undo part of the result. Surgeons generally recommend waiting until your family is complete, so discuss your plans before deciding on surgery.
Is diastasis recti repair the same as a tummy tuck?
Diastasis recti repair and a tummy tuck are different parts of an operation that are often combined. Plication tightens the separated muscles, while a tummy tuck removes loose skin and fat. Some people need one, some the other, and many benefit from both together.
How is diastasis recti measured?
Diastasis recti is measured by feeling the gap between the muscles with the fingertips while you lift your head from lying down, and sometimes with an ultrasound scan. The measurement records the width of the gap and how far it runs above and below the belly button.
Does insurance cover diastasis recti repair?
Insurance cover for diastasis recti repair depends on your plan and the reason for surgery. A symptomatic hernia repaired at the same time is often covered with pre-approval, while plication and a tummy tuck for appearance are usually self-funded. Check the details with your insurer before surgery.
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