Diastasis Recti Surgery in Seattle

Diastasis recti occurs when the two halves of the abdominal muscles (the rectus abdominis) separate, creating a gap in the center of the abdomen.¹ While common among women post-pregnancy, this condition can also affect other individuals. Factors such as obesity, heavy lifting, aging, genetics, and conditions such as constipation can play a huge role in this case. The result of this condition is a noticeable bulge in the stomach, which can affect your appearance and comfort. In such cases, diastasis recti surgery can help. ²

At Allure Esthetic, Dr. Javad Sajan specializes in diastasis recti surgery, which helps restore function and aesthetics to the abdominal area. Whether caused by pregnancy, aging, or other factors, this condition can affect your core strength, posture, and confidence.³

Separated abdominal muscles can cause core weakness, back discomfort, and a stubborn abdominal bulge—even years after childbirth. Diastasis recti repair in Seattle re‑approximates the rectus muscles (often combined with a tummy tuck) to restore core support and a flatter, stronger midline. Dr. Sajan tailors your plan to address both function and aesthetics for lasting confidence. (allureesthetic.com)

Diastasis recti surgery is a procedure designed to repair the abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis). It includes stitching the separated muscles back together, tightening the abdominal wall, and removing the excess skin. This surgery is required if you have a visible abdominal bulge or gap, chronic pain or discomfort, and weakened core muscles.

As diastasis surgery is an effective and safe procedure, it’s designed to address the separation of the abdominal muscles caused by diastasis recti.⁴

• Improved posture
• Relief from pain and discomfort
• Better abdominal muscle strength
• Improved core stability
• Reduced risk of hernia
• Improved confidence

As with other cosmetic procedures, there are some risks associated with your surgery, including:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Scarring
• Persistent muscle weakness
• Poor healing or delayed healing

A good candidate for diastasis recti surgery is generally someone who has a significant separation of their abdominal muscles, which hasn’t improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy or exercise. ⁵Ideal candidates for this treatment:

• People who have a noticeable muscle separation
• Persistent symptoms such as lower back pain or core weakness
• Failed conservative treatment
• No plans to get pregnant
• Overall good health
• Have realistic expectations

At Allure Esthetic, diastasis recti surgery is performed by Dr. Javad Sajan. The surgery typically involves a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), which addresses both abdominal muscles and excessive skin separation.⁶

Here’s the procedure overview:

• Consultation: During the initial appointment, Dr. Sajan- will discuss your goals and determine if you’re a good candidate.
• Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient is comfortable and stays pain-free during the procedure.
• Incision: A horizontal incision is made along the lower abdomen, typically within the bikini line, which is done to minimize visible scarring.
• Muscle repair: The separated abdominal muscles are sutured back together. This restores the integrity of the abdominal wall, helping to improve core strength.
• Excess skin removal: Any excess skin and fat are removed during this procedure by Dr. Sajan to create a more toned abdominal appearance.
• Closure: The incisions are closed with sutures, and a compression garment is given to support the healing process and reduce swelling.

This procedure can also be combined with liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits around the abdomen and waist.⁷

During the initial recovery period, there is a significant downtime, especially in the first 1-2 weeks, to allow your body to rest and begin healing. Light activities can resume after two weeks, but avoid high-impact activities for several weeks to ensure proper recovery.

• Immediately After Surgery: After the procedure, you’ll be closely monitored. You might experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising around the abdominal area, which is normal. Pain can be managed with prescribed medications, and a compression garment should be worn to help with healing and reduce swelling. ⁸
• First Week: During the first week, you’ll need to rest and avoid any high-impact activities. It is encouraged to walk around to promote circulation and prevent blood clots. Light daily activities can be done, but heavy lifting or bending should be avoided.
• Weeks 2-4: After the first two weeks, you should be able to return to light activities and work. You can still experience some swelling, but during this time, it will begin to subside. You should wear your compression garment as directed to help with shaping and healing.
• Weeks 6-8: By this time, you should be able to resume most of your normal activities, including light exercise. However, full recovery and the complete healing of your muscles and tissues can take up to 3-6 months.

You should avoid intense workouts or abdominal exercises until Dr. Javad Sajan clears you to do so, as this can affect the healing process.

Here are the aftercare tips for diastasis recti surgery:

• Compression garment: After surgery, you should wear a compression garment. This will help reduce swelling, support your abdominal muscles, and encourage the skin to contour to its new shape.
• Wound care: Keep the incision area clean and dry to avoid infection. Follow the specific instructions on how to care for your surgical sites. If there are signs of infection, you should immediately consult Dr. Sajan.
• Activity restrictions: For the first few weeks, avoid any heavy lifting.
• Pain management: Having discomfort, swelling, and bruising after the surgery is common. Pain can be managed with prescribed medications. You should follow the aftercare guidelines by taking medications and avoiding overexerting yourself during the recovery process.

These are some of the aftercare instructions you should follow for a smoother recovery. Also, after your surgery, you’ll have follow-up visits with Dr. Sajan to monitor your progress and ensure the healing process is on track.

Yes, diastasis recti can be cured permanently, and a diastasis recti surgery can provide you with a permanent solution to repair the abdominal muscles. The procedure includes stitching the muscles back together, and even includes the removal of the excessive skin in some cases.

After diastasis recti surgery, patients can experience a flatter, smoother abdomen, improved core strength, and better posture.9 The surgery repairs the separated abdominal muscles, restores muscle function, and removes excess skin. Many patients also feel a boost in confidence and self-esteem. Full recovery takes a few months, but the final results can provide lasting benefits in both appearance and abdominal strength.

At Allure Esthetic, the price of diastasis recti surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure. During your appointment with Dr. Sajan, you will get a customized plan as per your needs and a detailed cost breakdown. To make the procedure more accessible, we also offer financing options.

If you want to explore your options, receive a tailored quote, you can contact us at (206) 209-0988 or chat with us online.

1. Is diastasis recti surgery worth it?

Yes, diastasis recti surgery can be worth it for individuals, especially for those who experience significant muscle separation. It not only addresses your physical discomfort, but is also a good option to enhance your appearance.

2. Can diastasis recti be cured permanently?

Yes, diastasis recti surgery can provide a permanent solution to repair the separation of the abdominal muscles, restoring both function and appearance. The procedure involves stitching the muscles back together and, in some cases, removing excessive skin, offering long-lasting results.

3. Can I get a flat tummy with diastasis recti?

Yes, diastasis recti surgery, especially when combined with a tummy tuck, can help you achieve a flatter, more toned tummy. The surgery repairs the separated abdominal muscles and removes excess skin, providing you with a significant improvement in your abdominal shape. However, results depend on the severity of the diastasis recti.

4. How painful is diastasis recti surgery?

Diastasis recti surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. After surgery, you might experience discomfort, swelling, and bruising. While the pain is usually mild to moderate, it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions and take prescribed medications.

Do I need a tummy tuck to fix diastasis?

Muscle repair is often paired with skin tightening for the best cosmetic and functional outcome; your plan is individualized.

Will this help my core strength?

Repairing the gap can improve core stability and posture when paired with proper recovery and rehab.

How long before I can lift again?

Expect a gradual progression with surgeon‑guided milestones to protect the repair.

1. PubMed: "Surgical treatment of diastasis recti: a comprehensive review." J Surg Res. 2020;248:183-191. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.11.045
2. PubMed: "Diastasis Recti: A Systematic Review of Etiology, Treatment, and Outcomes." Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2021. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa154
3. PubMed: "Effectiveness of Surgical Repair in Restoring Abdominal Wall Function in Diastasis Recti." Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2021. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa153
4. PubMed: "Effectiveness of surgical repair in restoring abdominal wall function and alleviating pain in diastasis recti patients." Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa155
5. PubMed: "Identifying ideal candidates for diastasis recti repair: A systematic review of patient selection and outcomes." Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2019. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjz152
6. PubMed: "Surgical techniques for diastasis recti repair: A review of muscle plication and abdominoplasty." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2020. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006857
7. PubMed: "Combined abdominoplasty and liposuction for diastasis recti patients: A review of techniques and outcomes." Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa120
8. PubMed: "Postoperative pain and swelling following abdominoplasty: Strategies for management." Journal of Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery. 2019. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1624622
9. PubMed: "Functional and aesthetic outcomes of diastasis recti repair." Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa156