Confusion About: Weight Loss Goals & Umbilical Hernia & Postpartum Skin AND Boobs?

asked 10 months ago by mrsdic in Wilmington, DE
Latest answer by Mario Diana, MD
Question viewed 560 times
Tags: female, after pregnancy, weight loss, hernia, timing

SO desperate... I just had my second (and last) baby 6 months ago, and I need to lose 60 pounds. I have an umbilical hernia, and boobs so big I need to special order my bras. I'm pretty confident I can lose the weight, but I can't do much working out without my hernia area burning... and I have excess skin (from my first pregnancy in 07).... and I want everything fixed! What's the proper order to do all this in? I don't let a lot of pics happen, sorry for lack of good ones!

6 answers to Confusion About: Weight Loss Goals & Umbilical Hernia & Postpartum Skin AND Boobs?

Umbilical hernias limit activity due to symptoms

Painful umbilical hernias, post-partum or not, should be repaired as soon as convenient. Weight loss will not correct the issue, and the hernia can potentially become a real health problem. If the optimal weight range for cosmetic surgery has been reached, then the hernia can be corrected at the same time as other combined procedures, and it can be a natural part of a tummy tuck in a mommy makeover. If the size of post-partum breast is limiting physical activity, there are... more

Mario Diana, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

Mommy Makeover

You can safely do all procedures at the same time (as long as you are in good health). I have performed these exact procedures (breast reduction/ tummy tuck and hernia repair) on many patients... I always ask my patients to lose as much weight as possible prior to the procedure - that way, they will get the best results possible. I am a board certified general surgeon as well as plastic surgeon so I feel comfortable doing the hernia repair at the same time as the tummy tuck surgery...... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Mommy make over

Your problem areas are quite common and are well within what most plastic surgeons do. Many PS are also board certified in plastic surgery and as such can repair the umbilical hernia at the time of a tummy tuck. You should continue your weight loss as aggressively as possible. As you lose weight your breasts will likely shrink and you will have a have more loose abdominal skin. In general, I prefer that patients be within 20-25# of their desired weight prior to... more

Delio Ortegon, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.sacs-sa.com

Timing of Breast Reduction and Umbilical Hernia Repair

My suggestion would be to have a laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair now and see if the general surgeon works with a plastic surgeon who will perform a breast reduction at the same time. This way, once you heal from surgery, you can start exercising without pain from your hernia and with the problems associated with your larger breasts. Then, once you loose weight and achieve your target goal, you can have a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty and re-reduce/lift the breasts if needed.... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Mommy Makeover, Weight Loss, and Umbilical Hernia

Dear mrsdic, The best time to perform a Mommy Makeover or other body contouring procedure is when your weight is stable and you are as close to your goal weight as possible. If you have a Mommy Makeover done earlier and you lose a significant amount of weight after the procedure, you may end up with residual loose skin and sagging. It would be convenient to have your umbilical hernia fixed at the same time as your Mommy Makeover, but if it causing you significant discomfort now, you... more

Larry Fan, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Weight Loss, Pregnancy, and a Hernia

Weight loss is your best route before considering your mommy makeover. If your hernia is causing you symptoms, however, then it may have to be fixed sooner than later. The nicest route would be to do the hernia repair at the same time as your mommy makeover. Best wishes, Dr. L.

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

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