Tummy Tuck Redo to Fix Bulge and Belly Button?

asked 2 years ago by pattig356 in New York
Latest answer by Christine Sullivan, MD
Question viewed 3,146 times
Tags: belly button, asymmetry, bulging, lumps

I had an umbilicus hernia repair with mesh along with diastasis recti repair. I feel that my stomach bulges in the area of the umbilicus, because perhaps the plastic surgeon didn't know how to suture the diastasis recti while strengthening stomach muscles in the area of the umbilicus hernia repair?

Additionally, my abs are very asymmetrical and lumpy. Do you still think that a revision tummy tuck or "component separation" surgery would be helpful here? Could it help make my abdomen look more normal? Do you think my belly button can ever be repaired? Thanks again for all your help.

11 answers to Tummy Tuck Redo to Fix Bulge and Belly Button?

Revision Tummy Tuck

You really need to see a plastic surgeon to evaluate things. It is very difficult to tell just by the photo what is exactly going on. You may need some tests like a CT scan to look at thinks more close. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Repair of an abdominal hernia

It looks like you may have a recurrent abdominal hernia. I would recommend obtaining a CT scan of your abdomen to determine whether or not you have a hernia and if so how large it is. Hernias may recur after initial repair, and if so they may require a stronger revision. This may include component separation as you had indicated. The repair may need to be bolstered with a dermal allograft as well. This should help the contour of your abdomen and the appearance of your umbilicus. Good... more

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Redo tummy tuck

Just by your picture and your story it is impossible to give a good answer. Cannot tell what components are causing the apparent bulge that the picture seems to show. Your best bet is to see your plastic surgeon or another one to have the whole siteation evaluated in person.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Re-repairing a tummy tuck

It is possible that you could entirely redo the operation and inprove the result. The reason yours went wrong is either that you went to the wrong surgeon or that your body either has too much pressure within the abdominal cavity (ie you need to lose weight) or the tissues are particularly thin and can't stay tightened, or that you have a chronic cough, or that you didn't give your abdominal muscles a full 8 weeks to gain their healed strenght before stressing them. The answer lies in... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Revision

A consulation with a board certified, reputable plastic surgeon is in order. Upon examination, the surgeon will be able to discuss your results and the next steps.

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

On Revision Of Tummy Tuck...

Hi there- Based on your complicated history and the photo you posted, I think it is very important that you see a surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery for an evaluation. It is possible that a revision of your tummy tuck would be helpful, but evaluation of your hernia and repair is imperative.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck to fix Umbilicus

You have an amazing amount of abdominal protrusion yet it is not indicative of a pseudoherniation from rectus diastasis. In fact from the picture it appears that you have very little muscle to the abdominal wall. Without muscular tone there is not much that a surgeon can do for you. You will need to start with a physical therapist first then eventually a trainer. You can achieve a good abdomen but now it is up to you not a surgical procedure. Your surgeons did the best they could... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Redo Tummy Tuck

From your photo it appears that either you have a recurrent hernia or depending on your height and weight that you may need to get closer to your ideal body weight before having any further surgery. Of course it is difficult to give a complete answer from a limited photo. I would highly recommend returning to your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns and review your before and after photos to see how you have progressed. This is a complex issue and needs an in-person evaluation and... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Revision Tummy Tuck

From your picture it appears that you need a completely new tummy tuck with extra attention to your interal abdominal wall (the mucular layer of your belly). I revise your previous scars and significantly tighten your abdominal muscles. This would improve things significantly. Then to give you a nice belly button, I would sew this down to the inner layer.

Sean Wright, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

I need more information

You have two thoughtful responses - but there is still another issue -- what is your height and weight. I would need to know that before responding to your questions. You could have all your fat intrabdominal and this is just your "belly" bulging out.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck redo to fix bulge and belly button

Hi Pattig356, You already posted this question before. At THAT time you mentioned having had a ventral hernia repair with a mesh and an abdominoplasty. This appears to have relapsed and you complained in the earlier post of a 5x5 recurrent umbilical hernia. There is NO doubt that you have a failed abdominoplasty and ventral hernia repair. Where the "fault" lies, if it can be so placed, is unclear since these things happen. For example, operating on people with poor tissues, those... more