Surgery for diastasis recti and umbilical hernia

Hi, my name is Elizabeth.

After I gave birth to my first child, I was told I had about a 10 cm abdominal gap, and there was nothing that could be done. Finally, I have been diagnosed with divarication of the recti (diastasis recti) with a 9 cm space and an umbilical hernia. The muscles in my abdomen, from my breastbone to my pubic bone, that hold my internal organs in place are separated and have no support. If it is 2 cm or over, surgery is required to fix it, and 5 cm+ is classed as severe. I have lived with mine for 26 years. I didn’t know it could be fixed, and I have been living with this debilitating condition in severe pain with complications all this time. Finally, I have been advised the only way to fix this extremely severe case of divarication of the recti is to undergo abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery, which brings the muscles back together. I have always been incredibly self-conscious of my stomach, which has been much bigger than the rest of my body, but now I know it’s my organs pushing through my abdominal wall, distending it, and pushing it out. I understand why I have lived over half my life looking nine months pregnant, having no core strength, struggling to sit and stand, and rolling into and out of bed as I can’t sit up. I am incredibly excited about this life-changing surgery, and I want to thank you all. Any help you can offer, even liking and sharing, is beyond words, and I am genuinely grateful to you all.

Love and light,

Elizabeth