Seperated Abdmominal Muscles

Updated on April 08, 2008
A.E. asks from San Diego, CA
4 answers

I was wondering if anyone has expeienced this "diastis" of the stomach (seperated stomach muscles). I have been to the doctor and he said I have a pretty big seperation of my stomach muscles. I work out everyday and am very petite about 110 pounds but people ask me all the time if I am pregnant again. Some say no amount of excercise can get rid of it and you have to have surgery to repair it and then some say you can do certain excercises to help. I am so frustrated and tired of looking pregnant but want to know if anyone has had any success with fixing the gap even a little with excercises and if so how. I don't want to keep working my butt off to get rid of my belly if it will never go away without surgery.

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F.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

HI A.,

I'm a personal trainer and have worked with many moms with your problem. There are a number of exercises you can do to help pull the muscles back together. No guarantee as your doctor has told you, but certainly helpful in potentially reducing the gap. Also, there are certain exercises you should not be doing, such as twisting movements, traditional crunches... Please email me is you have any questions, I'm happy to help!
F. Zweig, CPT, HFI
____@____.com

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N.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I talked with a mom who had the same problem. She was very small framed and had twins. She said her abdominal muscles never healed correctly & opted to do the surgery. She showed me her stomach & it looked fabulous-totally flat & defined (years after the surgery). She was happy with the surgery, but did say she needed a lot of help right after the surgery because she was very limited on movement.
Good luck in your decision...

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H.G.

answers from San Diego on

I have 3 children and this happened to me with all 3 pregnancies. I am a runner and ran up until delivery of my now 12 month old. Presently, all I have time for is running and occasionally roller blading so I haven't really done any other abdomen exercises. But I know running has always kept my stomach strengthened just from using it to breathe when I am running. I can still tell where mine is split (about a one finger width gap) but my stomach has for the most part flattened back down. I am long waisted though so it may take longer for you since you are petite. I would give it a little more time and continue with your exercise regimen as well as maybe adding some core body exercises if you aren't already doing them. I have heard though that you shouldn't be doing crunches if it is split a certain amount so definitely seek advice from a trainer on core body exercises that are appropriate for you. It may be necessary later on to repair it if it continues to be a problem, but I would definitely give yourself a little more time with the exercise. Hang in there!

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R.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

My friend is an experienced, respected Physical Therapist in the area, dealing primarily with womens issues, including the one you describe. I am confident she will be able to help you. Her name is Jenni Gabelsberg and her information is as follows:

Women's Advantage PT
23332 Hawthorne Blvd Suite 202
Torrance 90505
###-###-####

Best of luck!

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