Fixing post pregnancy belly after hernia repair?

The laxity in the abdomen after pregnancy can have several causes, among which are loss of muscular tone, a stretch of the tissues, and a separation of the sit-up muscles in the abdomen called a diastasis. We see the greatest loss of tone in our patients who have undergone infertility treatments and carry... more

An abdominoplasty procedure is the gold standard for improvement of the abdominal bulge in the picture. Patients benefit from having the excess skin and muscle removed as well as tightening of the abdominal muscles and fascia that are stretched after pregnancy or with age.

Given the one picture, it is actually difficult to say what is right for you. The most important thing is that surgery is NOT recommended in the near future. You just had a hernia repair 2 weeks ago and need to give your tissues time to heal. I would not even consider surgery for at least 6 months and maybe... more

Your surgeon is correct. If surgery is out of the question, try a course of Core strengthening exercise using a Pilates or Yoga technique under the close supervision of a qualified trainer or instructor. Surgery is likely to yield a 7-9 result on a scale of 1-10 whereas non-surgical methods are only likely to... more

Hi! Your situation is not unusual.  In New York, we see an abdominoplasty candidate maybe twice a year who actually looks 6 months pregnant. I recommend waiting 3 months and then having a tummy tuck which will remove the redundant skin and fat and, most important, repair your muscles.  but you have... more

You'll need to wait several months before additional surgery.  I see several issues just from the picture.  First, you have an incredibly weak abdominal wall. This is often due to several issues including being over weight, intrabdominal fat, lack of appropriate abdominal exercises and genetically... more

 You can be helped considerably with an abodminoplasty.  However, since you just had hernia surgery, the best option is to wait several months for your body to heal from the procedure.  For other people considering the procedure, if you have a hernia, it is often possible to have the procedures... more

Hi, I would recommend waiting at least six months, and possibly even a year, prior to undergoing any additional surgery on your abdomen.  This will allow all of the swelling from your recent surgery to resolve.  It's possible that the firmness you feel in your abdomen is related to the recent surgery... more

Betty, You are correct in being afraid of a tummy tuck 2 weeks after hernia repair.  Are you referring to a groin hernia or an abdominal hernia?  If it was an abdominal hernia, it is unfortunate that a plastic surgeon was not involved since the repair and a simultaneous tummy tuck can readily be... more

Your best results will be from losing weight, then having a tummy tuck. A hard abdomen indicates fat inside the abdomen, which cannot be reached by liposuction.  However, tightening of the fascia does help by tightening the deep layer and therefore reducing the abdominal bulge. You can have a full tummy... more