It is likely that a tummy tuck would be very helpful for your problem. However, the complexity and risk of your surgery is relatively high. It will likely be necessary to go into the abdomen, which has a unique set of risks. Complex hernia surgeries are best accomplished with a combination of a general... more
Will a Tummy Tuck help with hernia repair?
I am in need of 4th hernia surgery. I am meshed from breast bone to navel, then navel down. Can a tummy tuck be performed along with the hernia repair?
I am overweight by approx. 50 lbs and have a lot of bulk below and to the left of the navel where the hernia is. I've been told the mesh is intact, but the muscle wall is torn again.
My surgeon is sending me to a plastic surgeon for his opinion on whether a tummy tuck will help this situation or if he has any other suggestions. I am in a lot of pain most of the time in the hernia area. I am wearing a binder to help hold my bowel in and have had to push the bowel back in on numerous occasions as it wouldn't reduce on its own. Can a tummy tuck be done to reduce the pressure on the hernia and the hernia repaired with a chance of not tearing again?
The surgeon gave me a 50% or less chance of it staying fixed, but this was before the plastic surgeon option was considered. I'm wondering if the insurance company will help pay for the tummy tuck since this will be the 4th hernia surgery they'll be paying for. I'm at my wits end and so very tired of being in pain. I'm unable to do much that is very physical without being in a lot of pain for a week afterwards. I love to garden, but I really pay for it these days in pain. Thanks in advance for any information. In Pain In OK!
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9 answers to “Will a Tummy Tuck help with hernia...”A: A combined procedure with a plastic surgeon and general surgeon likely the best option
When a patient has a complicated hernia and has had several operations, it is often recommended that a plastic surgeon and a general surgeon work togehter to give the best chance of healing. The plastic surgeon will not be doing a cosmetic "tummy tuck" but a reconstructive procedure to alleviate... more
A: Role of the plastic surgeon...
I think it is imperative to determine why you are in need of a fourth hernia repair. If you had reputable surgeons operate on you, you need to determine what would be different this next time around that would make success more likely. Your weight, especially if much of it is intra-abdominal, may be the... more
A: Weight loss likely best for hernia and cosmetic outcome
From you description of multiple recurrent abdominal hernias and being 50 lbs overweight, weight loss is probably the surest way to increase your chances of success with another hernia repair operation. As previously mentioned, complex hernia repairs do benefit from collaboration with a plastic surgeon that... more
A: You have a difficult problem
The first thing you need to do is lose those extra 50 pounds. You are doing yourself a disservice by being overweight. Once you have lost the weight, then a combined approach by a plastic surgeon and a general surgeon might help you.
A: Repeated hernia repair and abdominoplasty
Without weight loss it is likely that your 4th surgery will undoubtedly result in a 5th surgery. I agree that you would, at this point most likely benefit from a "separation of parts" repair of your anterior abdominal wall. Understand that this is pulling out all the stops to repair your hernia and... more
A: You need to lose the 50 pounds first
You simply cannot keep repairing this hernia over and over again. You must do everything to give yourself your best chance of having the next repair be your last. In order to optimize your chances, you absolutely must lose all excess weight before surgery. Also, if you happen to be a smoker and especially... more
A: Time for a different hernia repair
Dear in Pain, It sounds like the best thing for you is a great hernia repair. In your case, if your hernia is in the vertical midline, then your anterior rectus sheath should be separated from your rectus muscle on both sides and the mesh can be re-placed from the lateral rectus sheath on one side to the... more
A: Tummy tuck is a good approach to hernia repair
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck gives exposure to the entire abdomen and is an excellent approach to hernia repair. Often hernia repair is a planned part of the abdominoplasty procedure and it is typical to repair an umbilical hernia from pregnancy, or a small ventral or incisional hernia from gastric bypass... more
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23 Apr 2009
I am a 47 y.o. F. I underwent 2 inguinal hernia repairs , gallbladder removal , exploratory lap & a c-section. I now have a midline incisional hernia and diastsis. I have m.s. , I have to work 4x as most to lose weight. I am 5' 1' , 170#. I walk 2 miles, 6 days per week and eat right. My meds make it difficult to lose weight due to the fact that I retain water. My upper abdominal wall muscle is hanging down over my naval while my lower abdomen is shrinking due to exercise. I feel freakish & have to wear a size bigger in bottoms! My general surgeon prefers laparoscopies & I want my diastasis repaired. Could both be done via laparoscopy? Thank you.