11/04/2025
Most people don’t realize this “mystery bulge” isn’t fat at all.
Diastasis recti is the separation of the abdominal muscles down the midline. Instead of working together as a tight support system, the left and right sides pull apart, creating weakness through the core and a stubborn abdominal “pouch” that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise.
It’s most common after pregnancy, but it can also happen with significant weight changes, genetics, or repetitive straining. Many patients go years without knowing the true cause of their symptoms.
On the outside, it appears as a central bulge that becomes more noticeable when you sit up, lean forward, or try to engage your core. My patients describe feeling weaker, less supported, or unable to flatten their abdomen no matter how consistent they are in the gym. 😏
During surgery, I bring the separated muscles back together with a precise internal repair, essentially restoring your abdominal wall to how it functioned before the separation. This is what smooths the midline, restores core strength, and eliminates the structural cause of that persistent bulge. 💪🏻
💡If you’ve wondered whether this could be you, feel free to ask questions in the comments and follow along for more behind the scenes education from the OR.
diastasis recti repair | muscle separation | mommy makeover surgeon | abdominoplasty education | dr michael denk | virginia beach plastic surgery | diastasis recti symptoms | what causes diastasis recti | tummy tuck muscle repair | core weakness causes