A family member of mine saw my belly button when my 2nd child was 18 months old and informed me that I had a hernia and should seek medical attention. I returned to my ob/gyn who confirmed the hernia and suggested I see a general surgeon.
At this point I found Bonnie and the Tupler technique and had already made the decision to try and close the diastasis without surgery. I saw a general surgeon only to confirm that the hernia was not dangerous and there was no immediate need for hernia surgery. The surgeon informed me that the diastasis was only 2 fingers wide, and I really did not even need the surgery. He was shocked that I even knew what a diastasis was. He also said that he could repair the diastatis as well, but that the recovery time would be long. He could repair the hernia, but that there was no immediate need for it as it was not particularly dangerous. I informed him that I was going to attempt to fix it with exercise, to which he responded he had never heard of such a thing. This particular surgeon is not a “cutter” and was supportive of my alternative choice. Further, he said he’d love to see the results, and to come back in six months.
I’m finding that my biggest problem now is how to get my skin to contract as quickly as my stomach has!
(MY NOTES: This client was a 5 in the middle, 4 on the bottom, and 3 on the top. She is now totally closed – in about 6 weeks! You can see her support in her midsection is much firmer – as the muscles are now holding in the organs very nicely. You will also notice a big change in the belly button area – its much more inconspicuous and has gone flat. From the side views especially, you notice a much more defined waistline, and you will also notice how her waist went in about 3 inches – possibly more since I didn’t measure her during the first session. GREAT WORK!)
Great story!! I have a question for you Bonnie..
I am having a tummy tuck with MR (4in top, 5in middle and bottom) in a week. (I need to remove the excess pannus skin).. Now, after I am all healed, would you recommend I do the Tupler exercises in order to maintain my abdominals? Instead of traditional crunches?
Thank you
OH YES!! In fact, Tupler technique is also designed PRE surgery and POST surgery. You will want to do the seated tuplers BEFORE surgery as long as you can. This will not only strengthen the muscles that will be cut, it will give them a much better muscle memory. It will decrease the liklihood of you tearing through your stitches – which is what happens with jacknifing in and out of be, or incorrect abcominals such as crunches. You will want to incorporate seated tuplers within a week of surgery to promote blood flow to the area, and restrengthen immediately. This will give you the best results. Also, check out my post on tummy tucks. Good luck!
THANK you so much! I will have to read and re-read how to do them! Do you have a video by any chance? I think I understand.. but I dont want to do them wrong ! Going to read your other blog posts now!
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! 🙂