Why is It Such a Problem to Keep or Make a New Belly Button After Umbilical Hernia Repair?

combined with a tummy tuck ? I also need diastasis rectis repair, but that's further up and shouldn't affect it right? I don't want to go around with NO belly button !!!

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belly button diastasis recti umbilical hernia

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ldywldr in Hopewell Junction, NY

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Tummy Tuck and Umbilical Hernia Repair

The reason it is such a “problem” to keep the belly button is that the blood supply to it is significantly reduced by the tummy tuck procedure. The only remaining nutrition is through the base where the hernia is. To fix the hernia reduces the blood supply further. Careful surgery can overcome this problem, but the risk of problems is still there. As for the diastasis, since it extends both above and below the umbilicus, repair of this also can reduce its nutrition. Even without... more

Tummy tuck

The difficulty in performing these procedures together is maintaining a blood supply to the belly button. The use of small mesh products has made this more achievable with lower risks.

Umbilical hernia repair need not damage belly button

It is possible to repair an umbilical hernia and combine the procedure with tummy tuck and this is done quite frequently. We prefer do complete repairs without a general surgeon, as they have a different appreciation of aesthetics, scars, and preservation of circulation to the umbilicus. Making of repairing a belly button after a poorly planned hernia repair is a problem that can be avoided. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Belly button after abdominoplasty

It generally is not a problem to repair an umbilical hernia at the same time as a tummy tuck. This can be done by your plastic surgeon or a general surgeon at the same time. You may want to seek a second opinion to clarify any concerns that you have.

Umbilical hernia repair with tummy tuck

For very small umbilical hernia defects, it is possible to repair during a tummy tuck. For larger umbilical defects, the umbilical stalk has to be at least partially detatched from the abdominal wall to permit secure suturing of the edges of the umbilical hernia - this devascularizes a portion of the umbilical skin and can lead to partial or complete loss of the umbilicus. For larger umbilical hernias, my preference would be to stage the procedures by 6-8 months. The other possibility is to... more

Blood Supply!

When an umbilical hernia repair is performed by a general surgeon, the belly button stalk is cut and the blood supply to the umbilicus comes through the skin. In a tummy tuck, the plastic surgeon relies on the stalk for the blood supply and the skin is cut. Although it is possible for the repair to be done by your plastic surgeon, the safest and most predictable method is to stage the procedures. Hope this helps!