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Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck at the Same Time on a Male?

asked 2 years ago by Mighty_Bluff in Orange County, CA
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 2,081 times
Tags: age 25-34, hernia, hernia repair

I'm a healthy 32-year-old male. Over 2 years I lost 122 pounds through diet and exercise. Over the last year, I've gained 10-15 pounds of muscle and am currently around 195lbs, 5'9". My body fat was checked through water-dunking and was at 10.7%. I have loose skin around my lower abs/love handles. No loose skin anywhere else on my body. I also have 2 large hernia's in my lower ab/pubic region. This is from 3 years of cardio and kickboxing approximately 2 hours a day, everyday.

I have Healthnet HMO. Is it possible to get my hernia repair and Tummy Tuck surgeries at the same time? Would my HMO cover any of the costs involved with these surgeries?

9 answers to Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck at the Same Time on a Male?

+4

Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck

Hernia Repair (which insurance will generally pay if medically necessary) can be combined with a panniculectomy or tummy tuck. A plastic surgeon can perform both or you can have a general surgeon perform the hernia and then a plastic surgeon to take care of panniculectomy or tummy tuck. Consut with 3 surgeons in your area to get a clear understanding of your options.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck and hernia repair in a man

You may be one of the rare patients who can have a panniculectomy alone with a hernia repair, rather than a conventional tummy tuck, given your appearance. It doesn't appear that you have a lot of upper abdominal skin excess. Congrats on the abs of steel! The difficult decision (and I can't see fully from your pictures) will be what to do with the flanks, incision vs. live with the excess. You should talk to your PS about the options. We are routinely denied when we perform a hernia... more
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should.

Your best bet would be for you to have the general surgeon fix the hernia, and the plastic surgeon to do the tummy tuck.  The ps will usually expose the hernia, and then return to complete the tt. Insurance should pay for the hernia if medically needed, but not the tummy tuck as this is cosmetic. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Congratulations on the weight loss

You probably have the best body I have seen after a 122 pound weight loss.  As Dr. Moelleken said, you could just have the lower abdominal skinn excess removed without a full tummy tuck and get the hernias fixed simultaneously.  Couldn't say though anything about costs and or coverage. 
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hernia Repair with Tummy Tuck

Congratulations on your weight loss! You can have a tummy tuck performed at the time of your herniorraphy if your general surgeon agrees. The main benefits are only one period of down time and some cost reduction, although it is unlikely that your insurance will cover the tummy tuck unless there are special conditions.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Congratulations!

Good job on the weight loss and getting into shape. The two procedures can and probably should be done at the same time as the overall costs and recovery time will be less. I really doubt that any insurance will cover the tummy tuck AND beware, some insurers refuse to pay anything if these two procedures are done together.
John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck

Given your insurance company, which I have dealt with before, your plastic surgeon would have to submit for a preauthorization for the hernia portion. If that is approved then you are good for the surgery, anesthesia and OR portion of the hernia repair. The tummy tuck will not be covered and you would be responsible for the costs accrued for this part of the surgery. That would included the OR, Anesthesia and Surgeons fees for the tummy tuck portion. Good luck.
Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes herniorrhaphy and abdominoplasty can be performed simultaneously

Yes it is possible to have both surgeries at the same time. However, your insurance will likely cover only the hernia portions of the procedure. Of course, you will need to have this approved by your primary care giver. 
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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