After two kids my core never came back, no matter how much I trained. The muscle repair made a bigger difference than I expected, and the recovery plan meant I always knew what week two and week six should feel like.Danielle R.Calgary, Mahogany
Diastasis recti repair in Calgary
Surgical repair for abdominal muscles that stayed separated long after pregnancy.
When the core does not come back together
Diastasis recti is a separation of the two vertical bands of the abdominal muscle along the midline. Pregnancy stretches the connective tissue between them, called the linea alba, and in many women it never fully tightens again.
It is very common early on. A Norwegian study that followed first-time mothers found diastasis in about 60 percent of women six weeks after birth, 45 percent at six months and roughly a third at twelve months (Sperstad et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016). Separation that remains past the first year tends to be permanent.
Signs of lasting diastasis recti
- A belly that still looks pregnant, often worse after meals or late in the day
- A ridge or dome down the middle of your abdomen when you sit up or lift
- A soft gap you can press your fingers into above or below the belly button
- Lower back discomfort or a feeling that your core is weak
- Little change after months of consistent physiotherapy
We always recommend a pelvic floor or women's health physiotherapy assessment first. Calgary has many physiotherapists who specialise in postpartum recovery, and surgery is for the gap that rehabilitation cannot close.
How surgical repair works
- MeasurementYour surgeon examines and measures the separation and checks for an umbilical or ventral hernia. Imaging is occasionally used.
- PlicationThrough a tummy tuck incision, the surgeon folds and stitches the stretched connective tissue so the muscles meet in the midline again, from the ribs to the pubic bone.
- Skin and contourExcess skin is removed and the belly button repositioned, which is why most repairs are performed as part of a tummy tuck.
- Protected healingA compression garment supports the repair. Lifting restrictions of about six weeks give the stitched layer time to heal under load.
Physiotherapy, surgery or both?
| Postpartum physiotherapy | Surgical repair | |
|---|---|---|
| Best timing | From the early postpartum months | After a year or more, once finished having children |
| What it does | Improves muscle function and control, can narrow the gap | Physically closes the gap and removes loose skin |
| Downtime | None | About two to three weeks off work, six weeks no lifting |
| Coverage | Often covered by extended health benefits | Cosmetic repair is not covered by Alberta Health Care |
Most patients benefit from both: physiotherapy before surgery and a guided return to core work afterwards.
Cost factors
- Repair is usually priced within a tummy tuck, not separately
- Length of repair and any added hernia repair
- Anaesthesia and accredited facility time
- Post-operative physiotherapy, often claimable through extended benefits
- GST on cosmetic procedures
A note on coverage in Alberta
Alberta Health Care does not cover diastasis repair performed for appearance. A true hernia is a different diagnosis and may be assessed for coverage through a referral. If you have both, your surgeon will explain which parts of the plan could be insured and which are private.
Why choose us for diastasis repair
Physio first, surgery when it is needed
We do not recommend surgery for a gap that rehabilitation could still close. If you have not worked with a postpartum physiotherapist, we will suggest it first and see you again when you are ready. Patients who come to surgery after physio also tend to recover core strength faster afterwards.
Evidence-based approach aligned with BJSM researchFull-length repair, properly tested
Separation often runs above the belly button as well as below it. Our surgeons repair the full length when needed and check the strength of the closure on the table, rather than tightening only the visible lower section. Any hernia found is repaired in the same operation.
Performed by Royal College certified plastic surgeonsA return-to-core plan
The repair is only half the result. You leave with a staged plan for walking, lower-body training and, eventually, core loading, with clearance points tied to your follow-up visits. We are happy to coordinate with your own physiotherapist.
Staged return-to-exercise guideWhat Calgary patients say about diastasis recti repair
I was nervous about looking overdone. We talked through sizing for almost an hour and the result looks like me before breastfeeding, just lifted.Priya S.Airdrie
The consultation was honest. I came in asking for a full tummy tuck and was told a mini plus some lipo would suit me better. They were right.Megan T.Cochrane
Having both procedures done together meant one recovery instead of two. My husband took two weeks off, my mom helped with the kids, and the staged plan made it manageable.Alyssa K.Okotoks
Diastasis Recti Repair questions
Can diastasis recti heal without surgery?
Often it improves on its own in the first year, and pelvic floor or abdominal physiotherapy helps many women. When a meaningful gap remains after a year of targeted rehabilitation, it rarely closes further without surgical repair.
How do I know if I have diastasis recti?
Lie on your back with knees bent, lift your head slightly and feel along the midline above and below the belly button. A gap of two finger widths or more, or a doming ridge, suggests separation. A physiotherapist or surgeon can measure it properly.
Is diastasis recti the same as a hernia?
No. Diastasis is a stretching of the tissue between the muscles; a hernia is a hole that lets abdominal contents push through. The two can occur together, and a hernia may be assessed for health coverage separately.
Is diastasis repair done on its own?
It is usually done as part of a tummy tuck, because the same incision gives access to the muscles and lets loose skin be removed at the same time.
When can I exercise after muscle repair?
Expect walking right away, lower-body exercise around six weeks and core loading only once your surgeon clears you, often around eight to twelve weeks.
Often combined with diastasis recti repair
Talk to us about diastasis recti repair in Calgary
Book a private consultation. No obligation, no pressure, and a written plan you can take home.