The questions keep pouring in – this one was very interesting so I decided to post it also!
From J.H.
My wife M., aged 41, has severe D.R. She is small. Pre-pregnancy she had a 27 in waist, and was very fit, doing yoga, pilates, and gym work. Nearly three years ago, she gave birth to twins, and was left with an umbilical hernia and a D.R. of 13 cm. She tried doing T.A. exercises under the guidance of a pilates teacher, but with very little success. If anything it has got worse over time.
Everyone has told us that the only thing to fix it is a tummy tuck. The plastic surgeon and GP both have said that this is the most severe case that they have ever seen. But the operation looks horrific, and the recovery time is a real problem. Not to mention the fact that it might not work.
What I would appreciate from you is to answer the following for me:
1. Can a D.R. of this extent be fixed with the Tupler technique and splint?
2. Is it possible to repair this type of D.R. solely by using Julie’s video, or does it require a trained practitioner?
3. If it is possible, how long is this likely to take?
I really would appreciate your advice. We are based n South Africa, so taking one of your classes isn’t really an option.
You guys are certainly far away! 13 cm is like a 10 fingerwidth diastasis – that is how they are generally measured. You can read the story recently on my blog where I had a girl who was a 9 fingerwidth diastasis close hers to a 1 fingerwidth in 5 weeks. Now, that is really quite fast, but I have seen the diastasis that are 8s all the time close considerably to all the way, depending on how long they work with me (1-2 class sessions of 6 weeks, or 8 weeks, or private sessions of 3 to 5 times).
Pilates generally makes the diastasis recti worse – time and time again. There are way to many twisting motions which SHEAR the diastasis making it larger, and jacknifing up and jacknifing down motions (rolling like a ball, pilates 100, corkscrew, teaser) not to mentions many more. Also crunches are a BIG no no.
The Tupler technique is what I use with my clients, and splinting – sounds like M. REALLY REALLY needs to splint – and that will prevent new hernias from appearing – you really have to take precaution with that connective tissue in between the recti at 10 fingerwidths and splint RIGHT AWAY.
Time wise REALLY depends on several things: her technique, how often she does the technique (she would need to work up to 10 sets a day of 100 (about 30 min a day) of the seated tuplers at the advanced level), how often she splints, if she puts the splints on, if she avoids the compromising movements – like the ones mentioned in pilates – also getting in and out of bed correctly, being careful to bring the transverse to the spine when she holds the kids, her mind/body connection with the muscles, and her consistency.
At 10 fingerwidths (13 cm) the mind/body connection of the muscle might be very poor – but I would splint right away, get the book “lose your mummy tummy” and make sure the technique is 100% accurate, and she could probably make progress where surgery wouldn’t be needed.
Julie usually tells people to expect 9 months – I have never had anyone take that long – 2-3 months usually – but 10s can be a little trickier – I would give the full 9 month allowance and if it happens quicker – a pleasant surprise.
FEEL FREE TO WRITE YOUR QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW!!!
I really enjoy reading your blog. It’s always very insightful and I learn new things with every post. My question for you is this: After completely the six week program, what if you still have a diastasis? Should you just increase the exercises even more or redo week 6? I’m not sure if that will be the case with me but I want to have a backup plan just in case. I have had a 4 separation at my belly button for years but since doing the exercises and wearing the splint for 2 1/2 weeks, it is now a 2. I am just THRILLED about that! This program really, really works.
Awesome post! Just a question… could also be off-topic 🙂 If my mother or sister, aunt or grandmother had twins, what is the chance of me having twins too? I love twins and if I am ever having babies, it must be only twins!
Ok I have a simple basic question – What are the signs and symptoms of pregnancy? I am 15 and I would like to know how to test if I am pregnant.
It’s called a pregnancy test…
After contemplating my question to you yesterday, I thought of another that’s probably more pertinent. After you close your diastasis, how do you maintain your abs? I have been an avid Pilates user for years and years. I’m not sure what I can do after I close this. Almost all the ab exercises out there go against the Tupler Technique. I do NOT want to undo what I’m working so hard on. I’m just unsure where to go and how to modify exercises after it’s closed.
Hi Lori-ann,
That is a GREAT questions. To MAINTAIN your abs, you will do 5 to 10 sets of 100 seated tuplers daily. You can also do headlifts to keep shortening the abs. And most importantly, keep the transverse at the 5th floor (all the way back to the spine) on the WORK part of EVERYTHING you do – picking up the kids, lifting weights, picking up a box, etc. If you do a yoga or pilates class or something similar, just do YOUR OWN abs, unless you feel confident to modify the exercises. Otherwise you will just undo the work you have already done.
And CONGRATS by the way, with getting down to a 2! After the 6 week period, you will repeat week 6 over and over until its closed, and of COURSE – WEAR THE SPLINT! So important. Its easy to get lazy about that – but its important 🙂