Combining Tummy Tuck with Ventral Hernia Removal?

I Have a LARGE ventral hernia, and I would like to know if have a Tummy Tuck would be a good idea at the same time of my hernia surgery?

This is my 4th surgery on my abdominal area, from tumors on my liver to now this large hernia that looks like a head coming out of my side. I just can not keep getting cut open. What should I do? Thank you for you input and time. Cindy

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by cindy 1962 in 33884

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Combining Tummy Tuck with Ventral Hernia Removal

These procedures are frequently combined. A general surgeon can typically work in conjunction with a board certified plastic surgeon, or the board certified plastic surgeon if he/she has training in general surgery could perform both procedures. In your case, you have a complex history that may make the combination more risky. In person consultation and exam will need to occur to determine if the combination surgery is appropriate for you. see video

Not that easy...

Cindy, It sounds as if you've had a rough patch of years. This question, for someone with such a complex history, can not easily be answered. The first general concept that you must accept is that you ARE a HIGH RISK surgery patient. You should EXPECT some complication following surgery regardless of its severity (minor or major). This way if you have no complications you will be even happier that you proceeded. This kind of surgery is most often a combined multidisciplinary endeavor... more

You Are A Good Candidate For A Combined Procedure

My preference is to repair the hernia using your own muscle tissue, which avoids mesh and also allows sculpting the abdominal wall. I always obtain a CT scan of the abdomen as a "roadmap" for planning the surgery and to avoid surprises. Soemtimes there is more than one hernia ! I'm boarded in general and plastics, and these hernias are very common is patients who have had open weight loss procedures. http://www.drlomonaco.com/forwlp.htm

Abdominoplasty can be combined with ventral hernia repair

Yes, it is possible and common to combine ventral hernia repair with abdominoplasty. You would likely need to be seen by a general surgeon and your plastic surgeon who will work together to plan your surgery. Some plastic surgeons are also trained in general surgery and could perform both operations as well. If you post a picture, it may be more helpful for us to give you some advice.

Removal of excess skin of the abdomen may help with the hernia repair

If a patient has a very large hernia the general surgeon who is doing the repair may ask for a plastic surgeon to assist in removing extra skin in order to minimize healing issues with the hernia repair. If the hernia is very large the skin over it may have become stretched out and needs to be removed and healthier skin closed over the hernia repair. If there is a lot of excess skin of the abdominal wall (sometimes called a pannus if it hangs down below the pubic area) then the general... more

Ventrla hernia repair (herniaorrhapy) and tummy tuck

What you should do is get a referral from your general surgeon to a plastic surgeon who can advise you (after performing an examination) if this is a reasonable option for you to undergo.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

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Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Possible but need to discuss with your plastic surgeon

Ventral hernia and abdominoplasty could be perfomed in one surgical setting.However, with all your surgical history,it is very important to examine your abdomen to determine the best course of action for you. Multiple scars could interfere with a tummy tuck operation. It is important to discuss all these issues with your board certified plastic surgeon.Best of luck!

Ventral Hernia and Abdominoplasty

Before you have an abdominoplasty, one needs to make sure that you will not need another abdominal surgical procedure. If you are not expecting to, certainly the first priority is the repair of your Ventral Hernia. I would understand if you had the hernia fixed and not the abdominoplasty -- but it would be rare to perform the abdominoplasty and not repair the hernia.

Combining Tummy Tuck with ventral hernia removal

Cindy 1962, In GENERAL, ventral hernia repair can be done along with an abdominoplasty. That being said, without examining you and knowing your full medical and surgical history, I do not know if I would be comfortable doing it in you. First and foremost, is the liver situation resolved or might they need to go back and operate on you? - Are you taking any medications which may interfere with proper wound healing? - How is your health otherwise? - You mentioned 4 abdominal operations - were... more