Tummy Tuck Q&A

94%

WORTH IT RATING

2,305 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,950

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,750 people and 865 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Will a Tummy Tuck Help Stop Recurrent Ventral Hernias?

asked 1 year ago by York PA in York PA
Latest answer by Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Question viewed 514 times
Tags: stomach

I have had three symptomatic ventral hernia repairs in the past year. Two months ago, I had mesh put back in with the last repair. I now have another ventral hernia. Would a tummy tuck help and with having a lot of mesh in my abdomen, would that interfere with having a tummy tuck?

12 answers to Will a Tummy Tuck Help Stop Recurrent Ventral Hernias?

Repeat hernia repair and abdominoplasty

It seems that you should find a good solution for the hernia as there is a high chance of hernias coming back, even with a mesh repair. One good option is a hernia repair using a component separation technique, also known as a separation of parts technique, where your own abdominal muscles are used to take tension off the hernia repair. Medical studies have shown that this technique, along with a sheet of mesh if needed, has the best long-term success rate. Furthermore, this... more

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Will a tummy tuck stop recurrent ventral hernias?

No. The underlying problem is the hernia in muscle tissue that is of a poor quality, or there are underlying intrinsic or extrinsic factors that are not addressed. ( infection, tension due to obesity, poor wound healing, lack of blood supply, or other illness). A general surgeon should be consulted. The tummy tuck and the secondary mesh repair can be achieved at the same surgery.

H. Michael Roark, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

What do you weigh?

You have not told us why you get these recurrent hernias -- what is your height and weight and BMI. A tummy tuck will not cure your problem, we need to figure out why you are having these problems.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Repair re-recurrent complicated Ventral Hernia without Mesh

Regarding: "Will a Tummy Tuck Help Stop Recurrent Ventral Hernias? I have had three symptomatic ventral hernia repairs in the past year. Two months ago, I had mesh put back in with the last repair. I now have another ventral hernia. Would a tummy tuck help and with having a lot of mesh in my abdomen, would that interfere with having a tummy tuck?" Before declaring a "solution", we first must understand the problem. Obviously, with 3 FAILED ventral hernia repairs... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and ventral hernia repair

Thanks for the question and sorry to hear about your medical condition. While a tummy tuck may be performed in conjunction with a ventral hernia repair, it will not in any way diminish the chance of a ventral hernia recurrence. The two surgeries are entirely distinct with entirely different goals in mind and issues at hand. I recommend consulting with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your region to discuss your problem and surgical options. Warmest Regards, Glenn... more

Glenn Vallecillos, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

A tummy tuck is not a substitue for a hernia repair

A true tummy tuck will not help stop recurrent ventral hernias. IF they did, they would be used as the repair of choice. A ventral hernia is a relatively common problem that needs a more agressive treatment than a tradiitional tummy tuck and is commonly performed by using separation of the abdominal components or foreign material to reinforce the repair.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Recurrent hernias require specialists

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties with your recurrent hernias. When I repair recurrent hernias, I typically avoid synthetic mesh and prefer a procedure known as a "component separation" and use biologic materials to reinforce the repair. An abdominoplasty can be combined with an abdominal wall reconstruction if you have excess skin, but an abdominoplasty by itself will not prevent your hernia from coming back. I would recommend you see a plastic surgeon... more

Lawrence Iteld, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck with repair of ventral hernias

Incidental hernias are seen during tummy tuck, and ventral and umbilical hernias are often repaired as part of the planned tummy tuck procedure. Ventral hernias are well exposed during the tummy tuck and this can facilitate a sound repair, either with the tissue or an artificial mesh if needed. Hernia recurrence is determined by the strength of the tissue called fascia in the abdominal wall, and the type of repair, not the skin of the abdomen tailored in the tummy tuck. Though the... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Will a Tummy Tuck Help Stop Recurrent Ventral Hernias?

Easy answer is it is unpredictable. So yes a TT might help but the odds are not great you won't get a recurrent ventral hernia. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

Recurrent hernias may be from either loose abdominal fascia (diastasis) or actual hernias. A tummy tuck will not repair them by itself. There are a lot of "if's". Perhaps your plastic surgeon should do this in conjunction with a general surgeon.

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tucks and ventral hernias

While a TT can make your tummy look better by removing the extra skin and tightening the muscles and while it can sometimes be done with hernia repairs, it is NOT going to have anything to do with preventing recurrent hernias. It is just the cosmetic aspect of treating the abdomen but the hernia repair is totally separate.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and ventral hernia

Recurrent ventral hernias can be problematic. These certainly should be fixed. However, a tummy tuck while can be done in conjunction with some hernia repairs, will not in and of itself repair a ventral hernia.