Can I Still Do Smart Lipo on my Stomach if I Have an Umbilical Hernia? (photo)

I was told that at my last pregnacy that I had a hernia right above my belly button. My doctor said it was no big deal. It is not visible to me at this time but is sore sometimes if I push on it. I go in for consultation for smart lipo next week. What might be some options for me. Are there other areas of the stomach I can get done without it jepordizing the hernia? If the plastic surgery dr can fix it at the same time of lipo can I still have just as good as results? Thanks

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stomach umbilical hernia

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by michelle5324 in Selma NC

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (1)

Smart Lipo and Umbilical hernia

Since most liposuction procedures,including Smart lipo, use the belly button as a surgical approach, it would be best to either have the umbilical hernia repaired prior to your liposuction; or, if your surgeon is comfortable with hernia repairs, the hernia repair could be preformed at the same time as your Smart lipo. Your results should be the same regardless of when you have your hernia repaired. I often repair umbilical hernias at the same time that I preform a liposuction or... more

You should have your hernia repaired before your Smartlipo procedure.

Thanks for your question. It is very important to have any hernias repaired prior to performing any liposuction procedure, including Smartlipo. Your plastic surgeon may feel comfortable performing the hernia repair or they may refer you to another surgeon for the repair. It is not worth the risks to proceed with the Smartlipo procedure without having the hernia repaired. Most people recover quickly from an umbilical hernia repair. I hope this helps. Best... more

SmartLipo and umbilical hernia

Thanks for your question and picture. If you have a true hernia, you really should have that treated prior to any type of liposuction. There is a real danger of causing significant damage to any of the contents of the hernia which could include the intestines.

Liposuction and abdominal hernia

If you have a true hernia, you are better off having the hernia fixed first before undergoing liposuction. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

And SmartLipo

I think it depends on whether this is a true hernia or whether it is just a separation of the muscles which is very common after pregnancy and some people might refer to this as a hernia.if there is a real bulge and something that can be "pushed back in", then it should probably be treated first.

SmartLipo and Hernia

Great question and thanks for asking! If you are considering having SmartLipo on your tummy, I strongly advise against it until you have the hernia fixed. The risk is that the liposuction cannula could potentially injure the tissues within the hernia, and this in turn could lead to a bad outcome. The wisest approach would be to have the hernia fixed prior to the liposuction, and this could even be done all in the same surgery if coordinated and done under general anesthetic... more

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Comments (1)

cacm 6 Feb 2013

Michelle, I had a friend that had hernia and didnt know it. She had a TT and the doctor fixed it while he was doing the TT. Trust your doctor, he knows whats best for you! Good luck on your journey. I can wait to hear all about your wonderful success!!!

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