Beautiful After the Belly

Diastasis Recti, Hernias, C-section and Ab Scarring, Belly Button, Pelvic Floor

Latest Posts

May 6, 2013

Article of Tupler Technique from New York Daily News – comparing Jessica Alba type wraps to Diastasis and Ab Splints

This article talks about binding the body versus approximating muscles, as the splint does. 

I personally do both approximation of the muscles with the Diastasis Rehab Splint and bind my bones with something over the top. 

The cool thing about the new neoprene model Splint we have, it can bind the ribs fantastically as well that get flared out a bit from pregnancy from 6 weeks to 6 months postpartum while the relaxin is still in the body!  But you don’t have to be in that window to get great results from the Splint!  I work with people into their 60s that get great results!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE!!!

April 30, 2013

My own Before and After Pics after #5 – closing diastasis recti using Tupler Technique

Just had baby #5
After:  8 weeks after baby #5
Well, here Is my own 8 week post baby #5 before and after!
First picture was taken a couple of days after having the baby, and the Second picture is exactly 8 weeks after. You can see I had a small diastasis with the first picture . Since I splinted this pregnancy AND of course did 10 sets of 100 seated Tupler Contractions per day, my recti only split this time to 
1 on top
2.75 in middle
1 on bottom
By the time I was 4 weeks Postpartum, my diastasis was fully closed.   

What did I do?

Same as always:  I Splinted my Recti of course – both day and night, and did 10 sets of 100 Seated Tupler contractions.

That’s IT! I didn’t start doing any other exercises until I was 6 weeks + Post partum.

Interestingly I found it much easier to bring my waistline in…usually I had to go several months out to get back to a 25 inch waist…this time that happened by week 6! 

Because of this I think to myself
“Why didn’t I splint during my other 4 pregnancies?!?!?” 

SUMMARY OF POST BABY DIASTASIS AND WAISTLINE

AFTER BABY #3
I did not splint during pregnancy or after – took 11 weeks to close diastasis and bring waist to 26

AFTER BABY #4
I splinted after pregnancy but not much during – took 7 weeks to close diastasis and bring waist to 26 1/2.

AFTER BABY #5
I splinted during AND after pregnancy – took 4 weeks to close diastasis and 2 weeks after that to get to a 25 inch waist.

IT was SO much easier this time!!





April 16, 2013

Diastasis Rehab Lose Your Mummy Tummy® Workshop


Currently Open for Registration!

DAY 1: Saturday, January 11, 2025                                                        9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

DAY 2: Saturday, January  25, 2025.                                                     9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

FINAL DAY: Saturday, February 8, 2025                                             9:30 AM – 11:15 AM 

 

*Spots available!

  • Once payment is received, you are CONSIDERED REGISTERED and will get a confirmation email within 24 hours, and a flyer with information, as well as various texts/emails leading up to the workshop detailing what to wear, what to bring, etc.
  • You do not need to purchase splint, DVD or guidebook in advance.  We will have them available at the workshop for purchase.

GRADUATE OPTIONS: 

  • You can do an “a la carte” on a Day 2 or Day 3 of the Workshop.   If you want to do a Day 1 a la carte as a graduate, pick the Day 1 a la carte. You will need to pick from the days offered. These are for refreshers and to get rechecked.

March 25, 2013

New Model Diastasis Rehab® Splints in! Video of how to put on!

Thought you might want to be aware of the exciting news!  We have a NEW MODEL of Diastasis Rehab® Splint!!!  Now with Neoprene and improved back pad!
Watch below for wearing instructions and sizing instructions:

How to put on Tupler Splint

Get the RIGHT SiZE!
Measure the circumference of your body over your belly button.  Do this measurement in the evening when your belly is the largest.  Your muscles should be relaxed when you measure.
Sizes:
Extra Small:  24-27”
Small:  28 – 34”
Medium:  35- 38
Large:  39 – 42”
Extra Large: 43-52”
If you are one inch from the smaller size and you are trying to decide if you should go with the  go with the smaller size. Measure your back size.  This measurement is across your back from one underarm to the other underarm.  It is important that the pad not be too big for you.  It should not rest on the front of your belly.  So if your circumference is 28” and your back measures 10 to 12” then you should go with the extra small.  If your circumference measure 35” and your back measures 13-16” then go with a small.  If your circumference is 9” and your back measure 17 to 19” then go with a large.  In other words if you have anarrow back, go with the smaller size.
If you get the Splint and it is too small, you can sew a piece of hook Velcro at the end of each arm to make it longer.  It will probably fit you in a couple of weeks o wearing it and doing the exercises.  If it is too large you can make a hem in the length of each arm.
During pregnancy, you may want to get a larger splint, hem the arms and let it out as your belly gets larger.
If you do not have a measuring tape, measure with a piece of strong and theeasure the strong with a ruler.
As always, you can purchase right here on this site!  Look on the right hand side!
On a side note, I splinted during my entire 5th pregnancy with the 3 arm splint, and consistently did my 10 sets of Seated Tupler exercises, and kept my diastasis much smaller during this pregnancy because of the updated Splint which provides more coverage and more support.  It is not 4 weeks postpartum and my diastasis is closed, versus 7 weeks to close with baby #4, and 11 weeks after baby #3 (this one took much longer to close since I did not splint during or  after baby #3)  So glad I splinted with an updated splint during this pregnancy #5 and after!  Pictures to come!

March 4, 2013

Little Birth announcment for #5

Thanks to everyone who has asked and inquired! We had #5 – on Feb 22nd – right on the due date.  It was a beautiful, albeit intense, water birth.  I got everything I wanted out of it (except the “quick” part).  Aside from the water birth, I wanted to keep the cord attached as long as possible, I wanted my husband to be my labor coach (and be a GOOD one), I wanted to have visualizations and relaxations as part of my coping mechanisms, I wanted essential oils to play a bigger part of the labor and birth experience, I wanted to nurse the baby with skin to skin contact before she was rushed off to be cleaned, bathed and measured, and I wanted to come from the experience with NO tearing and NO episiotomy. 

Colette Rebecca Wayne followed the trend of my other 2 girls and broke her own water – at least thats what it felt like (felt like her toenail snagged it) – and 15 hours later she was born.  I thought with #5 the labor would be so fast.  So while the “fast” part didn’t happen, it was beautiful, peaceful and very much cathartic after a traumatic birth from #4.  I got to use the Perfect Pushing® technique, and recovery has gone fairly smoothly, with just a couple short-lived snags.

I am loving this precious time to enjoy this cute new baby girl 🙂

FIRST FOUR PICTURES and HEADBANDS by TWINKLED TWIG and PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA – LOVE how they turned out – I will post more to come!

February 21, 2013

Some crazy before and after pics and awesome results of closing the diastasis recti with the Tupler Technique!

before
 
after 4 weeks



before
 
after 4 weeks
 

 So I thought I would post some of the crazy awesome results just 2 days before the due date of #5 so you could get a taste of some of the great case studies and before and afters.  Then in April or so I will post my own before and after results after baby #5.  Enjoy!

Client AG
This client (ABOVE) is in her 30s and is a health conscious mom recently of 5 young kids  – 2 of them are still nursing.  As you can see, she has had SIGNIFICANT results!  She lost 7 inches in her belly button ALONE in just 4 weeks.  She lost 15 inches across her entire midsection in just 4 weeks!  How did she do it?  She splinted consistently and she followed the 6 week program – doing 7 to 10 sets of Seated Tuplers each day.  You can notice the bulging of her belly near the belly button has significantly decreased.  She is starting to get definition of her abdominal muscles.  Also, you can see her diastasis that was fairly severe with very deep connective tissue between the two halves of her recti  has improved significantly to be very shallow connective tissue and her diastasis is considered closed – just a tiny little almost imperceptible divet 3 inches above and 3 inches below the belly.






DIASTASIS

waist

upper

middle

lower

Week 1

34.5

37

38

3

4VD

3M

Week 4

30.1

30

34.5

.75

.75/closed

closed

CLIENT BL
before


after 4 weeks



before
after 4 weeks
 
This client is a Pilates and Yoga instructor with 2 young kids – one of them  is still under 1 and is still nursing.  You can see with her numbers that her diastasis as well was fairly severe with deep connective tissue.  We saw a huge improvement with the connective tissue and width of the diastasis in the first 2 weeks and continued improving.  She wore the splint consistently, modified some of the movements she taught,  splinted consistently and watched her body mechanics.

DIASTASIS
waist
upper
middle
lower
Week 1
31.25

33.75

35.5
4M
4 MD
4.5 M
Week 4
28.25

28.1

32.8
closed
1.5 S
.4 S

 

CLIENT MC

before
after 4 weeks
before

after 4 weeks
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This client has 3 young boys.  She recently had gall bladder surgery with a scar near her belly button.  She could tell she had a diastasis and wanted to heal it.  Her waist and abdomen started shrinking and her concerned husband wondered after  2 weeks whether or not she was “too skinny.”  She began to notice very nice definition in her obliques as well as can be noticed in her after pics.  She has made progress with her diastasis and should finish closing in a couple of weeks.  She splinted consistently and did the Seated Tuplers 10 sets consistently.

DIASTASIS
waist
upper
middle
lower
Week 1
28.5

30

34
3S
3MD
3M
Week 4
27

26.7

32
1.75
1.25
1.25
CLIENT MV
before
after 4 weeks



before

after 4 weeks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This client has never had kids but knew she had a hernia she was very worried about and also suspected she had a diastasis recti.  Sure enough she had both.  She wants to have kids and felt the umbilical hernia was getting in the way of realizing her dreams, and she did not want to have surgery for it.  Her hernia was giving her pain and was noticeable to her at all times.  She did the Seated Tupler exercises very consistently and was able to reduce her hernia by 80% in just 4 weeks.  It now does not cause her pain but feels like little bubbles as most of the organs poking through have gone back behind the connective tissue and recti muscles as her diastasis has decreased significantly.  You can also see her waistline, while tiny before, also reduced even more, which was a nice perk!

DIASTASIS
waist
upper
middle
lower
Week 1
26.75

26.75

33
3
1 to 3
4S
Week 4
24.3

24.5

31.1
1 VS
.75
.2 S

 



CLIENT  NH
before
after 11 weeks



before
after 11 weeks
 

You might remember this client from her SIGNIFICANT hernia reversal.  Here are her follow up pictures.  She has lost a total of 14 inches from her abdomal area and now has a 23 inch waist line – SUPER TINY!  Hernia still gone!

DIASTASIS
waist
upper
middle
lower
Week 1
32.25

30

28.25
3
7D
4
Week 11
23.5

23.5

29.5
.25
3 VS
.25
You TOO can  do this!!

February 14, 2013

The tale of two friends

This is the tale of two friends in two different states with diastasis recti. I had Skype Client Sessions with these two ladies since there is no one in their area who is licensed in the Tupler Technique.

Katie

Kate side view, before and after.

Kate side view, before and after.

Kate front view, before and after.

Kate front view, before and after.

Julie side view, before.

Julie side view, before.

Julie side view, after.

Julie side view, after.

Julie front view, after.

Julie front view, after.

Julie front view, before.

Julie front view, before.

The first one client JC contacted me several months ago wanting to lose her “mummy tummy.” Her friend KC contacted me a few months later after hearing about the Tupler Technique from her friend. Here are their results!

KC was a very fit person with two kids.  She noticed with her second child something had definitely changed in her midsection.  Her belly looked different.  When she would get up from a laying down position or do sit ups, she noticed the “mound” over her belly and knew something was awry.  She had the separation of her abs which she had been hearing about from her friend in a another state.   She was very active – did cross fit 4 to 5 times a week.  She could see that when she did… GULP… sit ups… the mound… the organ protrustion coming up from her midsection. She has been diligent with following the program – the seated tuplers, avoiding certain movements, good body mechanics – getting up and down correctly, and consistent with splinting. This is just after two and a half weeks!!

DIASTASIS
WAIST
Upper
Middle
lower
 WEEK 1
28 ½
29
33
2.5 shallow
3 deep
2 shallow
Week 3
 –
28
–
.75 very shallow
2 shallow
1.25 shallow

 

Jan

This client who first found me while doing research online, has 3 kids – all C sections. She had experienced pain and numbness around C section scar.She has been active and has been complementing the Tupler Technique with eating well and weight training. I find that when people Eat right, especially low glycemic, do the Tupler Technique and complement with running, elliptical, or other exercises with moves that are complementary to the program, they get the BEST results.  This client has been encorporating the Tupler Technique into her day, doing the right body mechanics and splining!

Also, one other thing I have noticed is that when people have a FRIEND to do the Tupler Program with, it helps immensely because FRIENDS keep each other motivated!  Both clients still are on their way to closing completely their diastasis, but are on the path of REAL PROGRESS  – both functional and cosmetic – as is seen in their case studies and in their before and after photos!

DIASTASIS
WAIST
Upper
Middle
lower
 WEEK 1
33.5
36.75
38
1.5
2
3
Week 3
33
35.25
36.5
–
Closed
1
2

 

January 25, 2013

The Tale of two friends closing their diastasis recti through the Tupler Technique!

This is the tale of two friends in two different states with diastasis recti.  I had Skype Client Sessions with these two ladies since there is no one in their area who is licensed in the Tupler Technique.  (to find out if anyone is in your area, go to www.diastasisrehab.com

The first one client JC contacted me several months ago wanting to lose her “mummy tummy.” Her friend KC contacted me a few months later after hearing about the Tupler Technique from her friend.  Here are their results!

CLIENT KC


Front view – before and after



Side view -before and after
KC was a very fit person with two kids.  She noticed with her 2nd child something had definitely changed in her midsection.  Her belly looked different.  When she would get up from a laying down position or do sit ups, she noticed the “mound” over her belly and knew something was awry.  She had the separation of her abs which she had been hearing about from her friend in a another state.   She was very active – did cross fit 4 to 5 times a week.  She could see that when she did…GULP…sit ups….the mound…the organ protrustion coming up from her midsection. She has been diligent with following the program – the seated tuplers, avoiding certain movements, good body mechanics – getting up and down correctly, and consistent with SPLINTING. This is just after TWO and a half weeks!!

 

DIASTASIS
WAIST
Upper
Middle
lower
 WEEK 1

 
28 ½
29
33
2.5 shallow  
3 deep
2 shallow

 

Week 3

 
 –
28
–
.75 very shallow
2 shallow
1.25 shallow

 

 

 CLIENT JC
BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE
AFTER

This client who first found me while doing research online, has 3 kids – all C sections. She had experienced pain and numbness around C section scar. She has been active and has been complementing the Tupler Technique with eating well and weight training. I find that when people Eat right, especially low glycemic, do the Tupler Technique and complement with running, elliptical, or other exercises with moves that are complementary to the program, they get the BEST results.  This client has been encorporating the Tupler Technique into her day, doing the right body mechanics and splining!

DIASTASIS
WAIST
Upper
Middle
lower
 WEEK 1

 
33.5
36.75
38
1.5  
2
3

 

Week 3

 
33
35.25
36.5

–
Closed
1
2

 

Also, one other thing I have noticed is that when people have a FRIEND to do the Tupler Program with, it helps immensely because FRIENDS keep each other motivated!  Both clients still are on their way to closing completely their diastasis, but are on the path of REAL PROGRESS  – both functional and cosmetic – as is seen in their case studies and in their before and after photos!

December 5, 2012

AMAZING HERNIA REVERSAL and Diastasis Recti Repair during 4 week workshop!!

My favorite thing about doing workshops is the before and after results!!
I see some of the most amazing things!!

CLIENT NH


BEFORE
4 weeks later
Before
4 weeks later

DIASTASIS
waist
upper
middle
lower
Week 1
32.25

30

28.25
3
7D
4
Week 4
25.25

27

28.25
closed
3 S/M
closed

NH was told by several surgeons and doctors that SURGERY was the only answer for her hernia.  Of course!  This is the easiest thing in the world for a doctor to tell ANYONE with a hernia.  However, what they DONT tell you is you can fix a hernia was SPECIFIC INTRINSIC EXERCISES which all of my blog readers now know fondly as Seated Tupler Contraction exercises!! 

Also, what THEY don’t tell you is that hernia surgery has a HIGH REOCCURANCE rate for the return of hernia – some say 50%, some say as much as EVENTUALLY 100%…not to mention the not so fun part of RISK OF INFECTION, and STILL not really addressing the problem!!!! 

The problem being WEAK CONNECTIVE TISSUE because of a Diastasis Recti – or split in the Recti muscles.  This client with practically NO FAT ON HER BODY – had a severe diastasis of 7 D.  Anytime your recti are separated to a 7, you have a HIGH RISK of a hernia because its so easy for the thinned out connective tissue to get a tear or imperfection and part of an internal organ will pop through.

You can see you close the bottom and top parts of her diastasis recti completely (technically they were 1/8 to 1/4 of a fingerwidth – almost imperceptible – so I am calling them closed)  The middle  you can see went from 7 DEEP connective tissue, to 3 Moderate to Shallow connective tissue – which is a huge improvment in just FOUR WEEKS.  Any surgeon or doctor would tell you this is NOT POSSIBLE.   Also, note the WAISTLINE!!  I measure 3 places for the waistline – 3 inches above belly button, at belly button, and 3 inches below belly button – corresponding EXACTLY to where we measure the diastasis – really giving a full picture of the changes going on.  3 inches ABOVE the belly button, she lost SEVEN INCHES in just 4 weeks!  UNBELiEVaBLE!!  She also lost 3 inches AT the waist – though in the pics it looks like more to me.  

And CHECK OUT WHAT DID happen to her hernia.  You would REALLY ASK – WHAT HERNIA?????  Based on the latter pics.  It has completely reversed.  She says her friends and family are amazed, knowing how many doctors she consulted, knowing how far the belly button had been protruding…and in only FOUR WEEKS!!!  I am guessing by the time I have my follow up with this client in a month, her diastasis will have completed healing, her belly skin adjusted to the smaller belly, her waist in another 2 inches at the waistline.  That is a total of 10 inches across the midsection in Four weeks – and cosmetically INFINITELY BETTER!  No more taping of the belly button!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE working with women who have hernias.  Since I have reversed two of my own, including ONE WHEN I WAS 6 months PREGNANT with #4.
I have a particular fondness for helping people reverse theirs.  I would estimate approximately 60 to 70% of my clients currently have a hernia.  Maybe only half of those knew they had one  because many have never asked their physicians about it, or just thought that was “just what their belly looked like after having a baby.”

So, how did NH achieve these results???  This client did the program RELIGIOUSLY – she followed the Diastasis Rehab® Guidebook (can be purchased here on my site – right hand side) to the tee.  She wore her Diastasis Rehab® Splint and did ALL OF HER SETS OF EXERCISES.

Do you have a hernia?  Have you seen doctors and surgeons for it?  Does your belly button look odd?  Do you have burning or bulging around your belly or belly button?  If so, you probably have a hernia!!  There IS a natural way to heal your body and you HAVE the ability!!

October 15, 2012

Doing Tupler Technique Pregnant with Baby #5 in TOW!!

So many people ask me if they can do the Tupler Technique while pregnant!  YES!!!  In fact I wish EVERY Pregnant Mom would do these while pregnant!  It would sure prevent a lot of the distressed looking abdominals and diastasis I see POSTPARTUM!!

This is my THIRD pregnancy doing the Tupler Technique – my FIFTH one in all! 

USUALLY people show sooner and sooner with each subsequent birth.  Why?  Because the diastasis DOES NOT close on its own.  With each birth, if you don’t close the diastasis in BETWEEN births, you will show sooner and sooner with each pregnancy becuase of the weak connective tissue and the diastasis being wider and wider with each pregnancy.

So I get asked – Why don’t you show?  When are you doing to show?  Do you not show because of your “exercises” you do?  YES!!  Its ALL ABOUT PREVENTION!!!!!

6 weeks pg with #5



12 weeks pg with #5
19 weeks pg #5
  
 
5 1/2 months pg with #5
 
 
So what if you are in the MIDDLE of your pregnancy and you haven’t been doing the Tupler Technique all along?  NOT A PROBLEM!!  They are very intrinsic exercises and can be started at ANY point in the pregnancy.  I had a lady in one of my classes start when she was 7 1/2 mo. pregnant.  The class ended when she was 9 mo pregnant and she had totally closed her diastasis AS the baby was growing quickly and the belly was expanding quickly.  I have another pregnant lady in one of my classes that just closed hers as she is 6 1/2 mo pregnant after only 3 weeks!!
 
The ONLY DIFFERENT TO the Tupler Technique when you are pregnant?   DONT WORK THE KEGEL MUSCLE AT The SAME TIME (which naturally wants to work!)  While working the trasnverse muscle, you MUST RELAX the pelvic floor so you have the mind body connection for PERFECT PUSHING when it comes time for labor. 
 
BACK ACHES?  Keeping strong recti muscles are SO key to preventing pregnancy backaches!  If I ever find an achy lower back during pregnancy, then I bust out a set of Seated Tupler Contractions – and DONE!  Taken care of!
 
LAST THING – SPLINT SPLINT SPLINT while pregnant.  I can’t emphasize enough how much this has helped me!  I splint most nights and at various times during the day.  My diastasis is still closed BUT, it helps keep the recti together and keeps a strong mind body connection as the belly expands.  You will also show much less!
 
Here’s to one more pregnancy with the Tupler Technique!!!