Diastatis Recti-Separated Abdominal Muscles

I'm hoping to find someone who has some experience with this and had success with any types of exercises. I've had two babies, average size... but I have a small torso so my belly always grew straight out. I have a separation of my abs (when I lay down, you can fit about three fingers in between them). I had surgery in October to repair two hernias I had from this and now I'm trying to get in shape and strengthen my core to hopefully bring the muscles back together.

If anyone has/had this I'd appreciate any advice I can get. I've lost all of my baby weight and I'm so tired of every time when I sit down, my belly hangs over my jeans. I just need something to pull everything back in and I've had no luck!

Thank you!

I have this as well, Im pretty small 5'2'' 110 lbs. I had planned on a tummy tuck just saving money. I also have stretch marks just in that area, it just seems like no matter what I do it wont be repaired.

Mine is very minor, but currently causing an umbilical hernia that the drs won't touch until DS is out.

If you have a severe case and its causing you hernia's, the best option you have is surgery.   I don't think there is any other way. I have a severe case, had surgery for a hernia last summer and every doctor I have talked to says the only way it can be fixed is with surgery. I don't know your case though. I have not found any luck on anyone being able to fix it on their own with workouts and strength exercises.

watching this!!

I believe she has

http://members.baby-gaga.com/member830746

Quoting .:Mary:.:" I have this as well, Im pretty small 5'2'' 110 lbs. I had planned on a tummy tuck just saving money. ... [snip!] ... just saving money. I also have stretch marks just in that area, it just seems like no matter what I do it wont be repaired. "

I'm 5'5 and 115... after my first baby I just thought I must be fat and lazy or that it was just loose skin. Then I complained to my doctor and they found the hernia and repaired that, which made everything look a little better. I know the worst part is that sit-ups will actually make it worse... so all of these mommies trying to get flat tummies by doing sit-ups... if they've got this problem, it makes things worse instead of better.

My husband said that if it is still bugging me once we are sure we're done having kids I can get a tummy tuck... it sure is tempting.

And here is her post about it!

http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about2416705.html

Quoting linsα:" If you have a severe case and its causing you hernia's, the best option you have is surgery.   I don't ... [snip!] ... your case though. I have not found any luck on anyone being able to fix it on their own with workouts and strength exercises. "

What surprised me with mine is that they didn't offer to fix it with the hernia surgery. I wish I would have asked more questions during mine. I'm sure though it probably wouldn't have done much good to have it fixed if I still want to go through another pregnancy.

Quoting *B & D Mommy*:" And here is her post about it! http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about2416705.html"

Thank you! This was exactly what I'm looking for. I'm hoping to try as many of these kinds of exercises as possible to see if there's any hope lol.

Quoting Mommy to Makai & Miles:" What surprised me with mine is that they didn't offer to fix it with the hernia surgery. I wish I would ... [snip!] ... I'm sure though it probably wouldn't have done much good to have it fixed if I still want to go through another pregnancy."

That is why I'm holding off on surgery, I still want more children. I have read articles that say it needs to be fixed right away after pregnancy but that seems ridiculous to me if you are just going to continue to have more children.

Quoting linsα:" That is why I'm holding off on surgery, I still want more children. I have read articles that say it ... [snip!] ... be fixed right away after pregnancy but that seems ridiculous to me if you are just going to continue to have more children. "

I agree, seems like a waste of money and unnecessary suffering... the post linked above, I checked it out and it seems really helpful/easy. She mentions doing an exercise sitting up in a chair and pulling your tummy muscles in... I tried doing a few sitting here at work, and it definitely feels like I'm working something. Way easier and less complicated than I was expecting.

I'm glad you posted this because I completely forgot about this subject lol. I can fit two fingers in mine and now I want to work on closing it more.

Quoting Mommy to Makai & Miles:" I'm 5'5 and 115... after my first baby I just thought I must be fat and lazy or that it was just loose ... [snip!] ... said that if it is still bugging me once we are sure we're done having kids I can get a tummy tuck... it sure is tempting."

I didnt know about the sit ups. I did them for a while and was so discouraged because yes it made it worse   I have a hernia and all of my Dr's have seen it but never mentioned anything about it being repaired. The only one to mention removing it was the plastic surgery Dr for a bit more $.

I'm done having kids, have my tubes tied so I plan on the TT. Especially because of the stretch marks.

Quoting *B & D Mommy*:" And here is her post about it! http://forum.baby-gaga.com/about2416705.html"

That actually sounds manageable, thanks for posting!