Can Umbilical Hernia and Diastasis Be Fixed Without Floating Belly Button in Mini TT

asked 11 months ago by dsc1
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 377 times
Tags: comparison, diastasis recti, floating belly button, mini, umbilical hernia

If there is a definite umbilical hernia and need for diastasis repair how does the repair differ with mini vs full tt? Does stalk need to be cut to repair? What happens to stalk after repair and is there any danger in cutting stalk? I have asked doctor, but gotten no real answer so would love to know the real deal as the "idea" of "cutting the cord" bothers me! From what I have read any way it's done and even hernia repair requires cutting?

11 answers to Can Umbilical Hernia and Diastasis Be Fixed Without Floating Belly Button in Mini TT

Mini Tummy Tuck

The stalk is not usually cut at the bottom for a full TT or mini TT. Where the hernia is and what is affected may change some of the plan however. Usually the BB is separated from adjacent tissue, not the bottom where the blood supply is. The abdomen is stretched down and the BB is placed on a higher place on the abdomen (where it was before). The shape is a smaller version of what you typically had in the beginning. Repair the hernia, and then plan for the rest. more

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Fixing diastasis without cutting the belly button stalk

Hello, Acually that can be done. It can be done as an endoscopic tummy tuck or as a mini tummy tuck with an endoscopic component above the belly button. Ask around your community to see if there is a plastic surgeon that is experienced in doing so. Ask to see before and after photos as well. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Umbilical hernia and diastasis can be repaired in mini-tummy tuck

Hi KC1, If you need repair of the diastasis above the level of the belly button, then there are only 2 ways to accomplish this. One is to do a full tummy-tuck with a scar around the umbilicus. The second way is to cut the stalk. You might be able to find someone who would make an incision above the belly button and use an endoscope to do the diastasis repair above the belly button but I am not familiar with anyone in your area who performs this procedure. If the... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Yes it can be done

Yes you can do both at the same time and not float the belly button and bring out the belly button in the same place as it was; however, you would need to cut around the belly button to free it in order to repair the diastasis.

Andre Aboolian, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Belly buttons and tummy tucks

Dear KC1, There are several ways to deal with the belly button in abdominoplasty surgery, primarily dictated by the type of tummy tuck. Umbilical hernia and diastasis can both be repaired either with or without cutting the umbilical stalk and either in full or mini abdominoplasty. If you are not getting adequate answers from your surgeon, it may be time to visit another surgeon. Good luck! see video

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Umbilical hernia and diastasis repair with mini-tummy tuck

Repairing a rectus diastasis and umbilical hernia is a very common procedure. It can be a bit more difficult when trying to repair both with a "mini" tummy tuck, especially when repairing the diastasis above the umbilicus. It is easier if you detach the belly button but then you are likely to "float" the belly button in an inferior direction and it may end up too low which looks odd. You are likely to get a better result if a a standard abdominoplasty is... more

Jeffrey E. Kyllo, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck versus Mini-TT

Cutting the umbilical stalk and floating it are not exactly the same. You can cut it to repair a hernia or diastasis and put it back where it came from or you can move it downward to relieve some excess upper abdomenal skin (floating). In either case blood supply is damaged so that a future Tummy Tuck will become problematic.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

The treatment of an umbilical hernias separate from the diastasis. However then cutting the ski around the umbilicus and fixing an umbilical hernia one needs to be aware of the blood zippy to the umbilicus. This can be addressed multiple ways including the use of a small mesh to repair the umbilical hernia from below.

David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Hernia and tummy tuck

The diastasis repair consists of plicating, or bringing your muscles closer together. The hernia repair is separate from this. This can be done.

David A. Lickstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Can umbilical hernia and diastasis be fixed without floating belly button?

Fixing an umbilical hernia is independent of floating a belly button. If you are doing a full tummy tuck, tightening the skin both below AND above the belly button, with or without a diastasis repair, then you cut around the skin of the belly button to release it from the skin so that the skin can be pulled down and the loose skin above the belly button can be tightened without the belly button tethering it and without pulling the belly button down too low. The disk of BB skin stays on... more

Robert M. Grenley, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Mini abdominoplasty

Mini abdominoplasty has a very limited application but can be effective in the 'right' person. It does not usually require transection of the unbilical stalk; however if you need repair of an umbilical hernia repair and a diastasis repair, then the belly button's stalk will have to be transected and the belly button 'floated.' This could prevent a conventional tummy tuck being performed in the future. Only a few people are good candidates for 'mini abdominoplasty... more