Anyone had surgery PP for a DRAM (tummy seperation)?

[HotI]

I would like to know more about surgery to correct a DRAM (Diastasis Recti of Abdominal Muscles), aka tummy seperation. Has anyone here had one?

how wide was your seperation?
what was surgery & recovery like?
was it worth it?
did you go public or private?
costs?

ta

[HotI]

SO i can find this later

Hernia. 2011 Dec;15(6):607-14. doi: 10.1007/s10029-011-0839-4. Epub 2011 Jun 18.

A systematic review on the outcomes of correction of diastasis of the recti.

Hickey F, Finch JG, Khanna A.


Source

Department of Surgery, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Cliftonville, Northampton NN1 5BD, UK. fionahickey@doctors.org.uk


Abstract


PURPOSE:

Diastasis or divarication of the rectus abdominus muscles describes the separation of the recti, usually as a result of the linea alba thinning and stretching. This review examines whether divaricated recti should be repaired and tries to establish if the inherent co-morbidity associated with surgical correction outweighs the benefits derived.

METHODS:

EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane library were searched for ('divarication' OR 'diastasis') AND ('recti' OR 'rectus'). A standard data extraction form was used to extract data from each text. Due to the lack of randomised control trials, meta-analysis was not possible.

RESULTS:

Seven studies report that patient satisfaction was high following surgery. The most common complication seen was the development of a seroma. Other common complications included haematomas, minor skin necrosis, wound infections, dehiscence, post-operative pain, nerve damage and recurrence, the rate of which may be as high as 40%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Further studies are required to compare laparoscopic and open abdominoplasty techniques. Patients and physicians should be advised that correction is largely cosmetic, and although divarications may be unsightly they do not carry the same risks of actual herniation. Progressive techniques have resulted in risk reduction with no associated surgical mortality. However, the outcomes may be imperfect, with unsightly scarring, local sepsis and the possibility of recurrence.

[HotI]

bump. anyone looked into this?

[Santosha]

No, but will be interested to know what you find. Mine are separated quite a lot (maybe 4cm?) and I'm going back for another bump so suspect that it may get worse. I haven't really had too much of an issue with it but I've been underweight because of BFing the hungriest boy alive and being dairy-free thanks to his intolerances so there hasn't been as much to 'hold in' IYKWIM?!

[Eenee]

No but will be looking into this after having kids.

[~Raven~]

Other common complications included haematomas, minor skin necrosis, wound infections, dehiscence, post-operative pain, nerve damage and recurrence, the rate of which may be as high as 40%.

I've thought about it but YIKES at the possibility of a 40% chance of recurrence

[Artechim]

I am going to see a Dr this week and I think I will mention it. I can fit two fingers with wriggle room in my gap and my belly looks 5-6 months pregnant all the time (belly hangs out way past the boobs). I don't really care about the look, but it is quite tender and I have zero core strength so I find it hard to lift up my kids. I hate bending down because it feels like I won't get up again! Not a fan of surgery but hopefully there are some exercise options to fix/improve it?

[HotI]

I wasn't sure if it was saving complications (including recurrence) may be as high as 40%, or the recurrence itself may be as high as 40%

[HotI]

There are core exercises you can do. They helped first time get my gap from 6 or 7 back to about 2. I am doing them again, and wearing a support band but it is harder to close the gap this time.

There is an gym that has some online vids. if you google fit2bstudio you can find it and then check out their diastasis awareness section and workouts. Even better if you can get to a women's physio that works with pregnant women who can show you how to exercise.

[Artechim]

I think it was saying 40% of people experience a complication from the surgery, which could be any of the things listed - not just the recurrence.

Thanks HotI, I will have a look at the video.

[HotI]

I am going to see a Dr this week and I think I will mention it. I can fit two fingers with wriggle room in my gap and my belly looks 5-6 months pregnant all the time (belly hangs out way past the boobs). I don't really care about the look, but it is quite tender and I have zero core strength so I find it hard to lift up my kids. I hate bending down because it feels like I won't get up again! Not a fan of surgery but hopefully there are some exercise options to fix/improve it?

How are you doing now? Did you get any advice from the gp or physio?

[trishalishous]

mine was 15cm at worst, currently 7cm thanks to exercise. Im getting a repair as soon as we are finished with kids.

[HotI]

have you spoken to a surgeon yet?

[trishalishous]

not since April, when I had a hernia repair, and was warned that the separation was so bad it might fail (and it did), but he suggests a full tummy tuck.

[HotI]

revisiting ways to repair my tummy. starting with physio but open to the idea of surgery.

how are you doing Santosha after your recent baby?

[HotI]

I have had a year of physio since my last baby and saw gp today. Gap is still 6-7 cm the whole way, and so long term I am looking at surgery. Hernia still there too. Am starting my surgery fund and hope it is doable in a couple of years.

Even considering overseas surgery.

[J.Bear]

After ds i had a 4cm gap which has improved through pilates with physio. But I'm concerned after (hopefully) a few more babies that it will get worse and become harder to improve without surgery. So will be interested to see what you have to say about your findings/experience. Did you find an approximate cost?

[HotI]

I got one recommendation from GP , and gave them a call. Costs were around $9,500 out of pocket with health insurance. $16,000 with no health insurance. Medicare rebates were around $1500 but not sure if they were included in quotes or not.
A thai clinic quoted around $6000?, including flights and accommodation