Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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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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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by tinkerette in Oklahoma City, OK

Doctor Answers (11)
Community Comments (0)

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 could result in a final cure to your problem but why would you jeopardize this by remaining at your current weight which is the most probable cause of your previous herniorrahphy... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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 has expertise in these procedures. In your case, an abdominal wall reconstructive procedure may be needed. Complex procedures such as "Component Separation" and reconstruction... more

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 procedures as the abdominplasty is performed. Hernias are also encountered "incidentally" or in other words are discovered at the time of the abdminoplasty and are repaired along... more

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 lateral rectus sheath on the other side. If the mesh is placed correctly (on tension), then the medial rectus sheath of the left and right side will sit right next to each other after the... more

Lisa B. Cassileth, MD

3 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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 if you have a cough, you must cease this because the cough will tear your repair and the nicotine could cause your skin to die if a component separation is done. Don't expect your... more

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.

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 culprit and therefore until your solve this part of the puzzle, your hernia will continue to present problems. If it is determined that something different can be proposed to solve the... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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 stress on the hernia repair and also to try and help the wound heal as uneventfully as possible. I would definitely recommend that you follow your general surgeon's recommendations and... more

Tummy tuck and complex hernia

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 surgeon and a plastic surgeon, each using their unique expertise. Also, surgery such as this should generally be performed in a hospital setting. It is also best to be at an ideal weight, if... more

Tummy tuck and hernia repair

Certainly a tummy tuck and hernia repair can be done at the same time. If you have a complicated hernia( which it sounds like you do), you may need a components separation to release the abdominal musculature laterally to reduce the tension on the repair.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tucks and hernia repair can be done simultaneously

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. This surgery is routinely performed in conjunction with other surgeries such as a hernia repair or gynecologic procedures. If the size of the hernia is small or if the hernia does not require mesh repair, your plastic surgeon may choose to repair the hernia himself. Your best bet is to work at a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in abdominoplasty, body contouring, and correction of... more