Author Underwent Abdominoplasty 5 Years Ago to Repair Severe Diastasis Recti After 3 Pregnancies
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · May 11
Author Underwent Abdominoplasty 5 Years Ago to Repair Severe Diastasis Recti After 3 Pregnancies
11 articles · Updated · HuffPost · May 11
Five years after the operation, the author says an out-of-pocket abdominoplasty resolved chronic back pain and restored core strength after severe diastasis recti left her struggling with daily activities.
Three pregnancies had left her with a long-lasting abdominal separation that exercise could not fix; doctors said surgery was the only effective repair for both the muscles and loose skin.
Insurance would not cover the procedure because it was classified as cosmetic, even though surgeons said repairing diastasis recti can improve posture, incontinence and the ability to carry children or sleep comfortably.
Recovery brought shoulder pain, months of limited mobility and a later bout of COVID, but she reports the benefits steadily outweighed the ordeal as healing progressed.
Citing postpartum injury and years of untreated symptoms, she argues abdominoplasty should be more readily offered for birth-related damage rather than dismissed as elective cosmetic care.
With new proof of medical benefits, why do insurers still call this postpartum repair 'cosmetic'?
Could covering 'tummy tucks' for birth injuries actually save healthcare costs long-term?