What Does Abdominal Muscle Separation Feel Like?

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat while tightening the abdominal muscles. Many patients expect to feel some discomfort during recovery, but for some, symptoms persist beyond the normal healing process. One complication that can occur after a tummy tuck is abdominal muscle separation, also known as diastasis recti.

Abdominal separation happens when the rectus abdominis muscles, which run down the front of the abdomen, remain separated instead of healing together. This can cause a range of physical symptoms, from discomfort to a visible bulge in the stomach. In some cases, persistent muscle separation may indicate that the procedure was not performed correctly and you could make an abdominoplasty compensation claim.

What is abdominal muscle separation?

Diastasis recti occurs when the left and right abdominal muscles remain apart rather than being drawn back together after surgery. The issue is often associated with pregnancy, but it can also result from a tummy tuck if the muscle repair was not carried out properly or if the surgical technique was inadequate.

During a full abdominoplasty, surgeons typically bring the separated muscles together and stitch them in place. If this step is skipped or performed incorrectly, the muscles may remain apart, leading to functional and aesthetic concerns.

What does abdominal muscle separation feel like?

Many patients describe the sensation of muscle separation as weakness in the abdominal area. The symptoms can vary but may include:

• A persistent bulge or doming in the midsection, particularly when standing up or engaging the core.

• A pulling sensation in the stomach, especially when bending or lifting.

• Lower back pain due to a lack of core stability.

• Poor posture or difficulty standing upright.

• General discomfort or pain, which may worsen with movement.

Some patients also notice a soft gap between the muscles when pressing on their abdomen. Unlike post-operative swelling, which gradually subsides, these symptoms can persist for months.

How can muscle separation affect recovery after a tummy tuck?

Recovering from abdominoplasty involves discomfort, but when ab separation occurs, patients often experience ongoing issues that affect both appearance and function. Some of the most common concerns include:

• A protruding stomach, which can resemble the look of early pregnancy.

• Increased risk of hernias, as the weakened core muscles struggle to support internal organs.

• Back and hip pain due to compromised abdominal strength.

• Limitations in physical activity, making it difficult to lift objects or perform everyday tasks.

• Psychological distress, particularly for those who expected a firmer, flatter stomach after surgery.

Could my surgeon be responsible for my muscle separation?

Muscle separation does not always indicate surgical negligence, but in some cases, it may be linked to errors made during the procedure. Potential issues include:

• Failure to assess muscle integrity before surgery: some patients may have had pre-existing muscle separation that was not identified before the procedure.

• Inadequate muscle repair: if the surgeon did not properly suture the stomach muscles or failed to tighten them adequately, separation may persist.

• Poor post-operative guidance: patients are typically advised to avoid certain movements during recovery. If proper aftercare advice is not provided, the risk of muscle strain and separation increases.

• Lack of informed consent: if a surgeon failed to repair the muscles but did not inform the patient in advance, this could be grounds for a complaint.

If muscle separation has caused ongoing pain or functional issues, patients may wish to seek further medical advice to determine whether the outcome was avoidable.

What should I do if I suspect negligence?

If you believe that your tummy tuck was not carried out correctly, there are steps you can take:

• Document your symptoms: keeping a record of physical discomfort, functional limitations, and visible changes in your abdomen can be useful.

• Seek a second opinion: a qualified medical professional can assess whether muscle separation is present and whether surgical errors may have contributed to the issue.

• Request medical records: your surgical records can provide insight into the techniques used during the procedure.

• Speak to a solicitor: if negligence is suspected, a solicitor specialising in cosmetic surgery claims can advise on your legal options.

How Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can help

Undergoing abdominoplasty is a major decision, and when complications arise due to errors during surgery, the effects can be difficult to manage. It could be a sign of the surgeon’s failed duty of care if you are dealing with ongoing discomfort, muscle weakness or unexpected changes to your abdomen that weren’t addressed appropriately.

At Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, we specialise in helping patients who have experienced substandard cosmetic procedures. If your tummy tuck has resulted in muscle separation due to poor surgical technique, inadequate post-operative advice, or a failure to address pre-existing conditions, you may have grounds to make a claim.

We can help you by:

• Assessing your case: our team will review your experience, medical records and any expert opinions to determine whether negligence may have played a role in your outcome.

• Guiding you through the claims process: if there is evidence to suggest that your surgeon did not meet the expected standard of care, we will explain your options and the steps involved in making a claim.

• Securing expert medical opinions: we work with experienced medical professionals who can provide independent assessments of the errors that may have led to your complications.

• Seeking compensation on your behalf: where negligence has occurred, you may be able to claim for corrective treatment, loss of earnings, emotional distress, and other impacts on your daily life.

If you believe that mistakes were made during your tummy tuck and you are now facing ongoing issues as a result, we are here to help. Our team has years of experience handling cosmetic surgery negligence claims and understands the complexities of these cases.

Contact us today by calling0808 189 7712 or filling out our online enquiry form to speak to a solicitor about your experience. We can assess your case and provide clear, practical advice on your next steps.