Yes, bpoodoo I did end up splitting it. Its more of a comfortable fit. I was having issues with the chest being too low so I lowered the ab slightly making it hit my legs so I cut the cod from the ab and tucked the cod plate under the ab plate so there is really no seam. It flexes a lot.better and makes mobility easy. And with the belt being in front of the whole operations you can't tell a difference:)
Also a half inch would be a lot. Mine is probably 2mm gap:P
But thank you every one! Hope it goes smoother this time too.