Abdominal diastasis is the abnormal separation of the central abdominal muscles, which should normally be joined by a structure called the linea alba.
When this structure stretches or tears, the muscles separate to the sides and the abdomen loses its natural support.
👉 It is not fat.
👉 It is not just skin laxity.
👉 It is a structural problem.
Why Does Diastasis Occur?
The most common causes are:
- Pregnancies, especially multiple or twin pregnancies.
- Significant weight loss.
- Pregnancies with large babies.
- Congenital weakness of the abdominal tissue.
Improperly performed exercise during or after pregnancy.
How Do I Know If I Have Diastasis?
Some indicative signs include:
- The abdomen “bulges” when straining.
- A central bulge appears when getting up.
- It does not improve despite diet and exercise.
- After pregnancy, the abdomen never returned to its original shape.
Definitive confirmation is made through:
- Specialized clinical evaluation.
- Abdominal ultrasound in some cases.
Diastasis vs. Abdominal Fat
They are not the same.
| Characteristics | Abdominal Fat | Abdominal Diastasis |
|---|---|---|
| Is adipose tissue | ✅ yes | ❌ No |
| Is muscle separation | ❌ No | ✅ yes |
| Improves with exercise | ✅ Sometimes | ❌ No |
| Improves with diet | ✅ Sí | ❌ No |
| Requires surgery | ❌ Not always | ✅ yes |
How Is Diastasis Truly Corrected?
Surgery: abdominoplasty with muscle plication
- The effective treatment is surgical, through a functional abdominoplasty, which includes:
Internal muscle closure (plication). - Reconstruction of the abdominal wall.
- Removal of excess skin, if present.
- In many cases, complementary liposuction.
What Is Achieved?
| BENEFIT | RESULTR |
|---|---|
| Flat abdomen | ✅ |
| Recovery of strength | ✅ |
| Improvement of lower back pain | ✅ |
| Improved posture | ✅ |
| More harmonious contour | ✅ |
Who Usually Needs This Surgery?
- Women after pregnancy.
- Patients with an “open” abdomen.
- People who have lost a significant amount of weight.
- Patients with chronic lower back pain with no apparent cause.
- Abdomens that do not respond to diet or exercise.
Abdominal diastasis is not a superficial aesthetic issue.
It is a real alteration of the abdominal structure.
If muscle separation exists:
- Exercise does not correct it.
- Diet does not eliminate it.
- Surgery is the only definitive solution
