Thank you for your questions regarding whether you will need a panniculectomy after a diastasis and hernia repair during a hysterectomy. In regards to your specific case, you will need to examine the difference between a panniculectomy and a tummy tuck. During a panniculectomy, the apron of abdominal skin or pannus is removed. The removal of the pannus therefore, is called a panniculectomy. This is just a removal of hanging, lower abdominal skin and fat. During a tummy tuck, the rectus abdominus muscles and rectus diastasis is corrected and plicated. Also, any hernias can be repaired. In addition, more skin and fat can be excised than during a panniculectomy. A tummy tuck is more of a cosmetic procedure than a panniculectomy. Technically, placating or suturing together your rectus abdominis muscles is already approved. However, I doubt that your insurance company would cover the panniculectomy at the same time. What I would suggest is that you undergo a tummy tuck that would include resection of excess skin and fat (more so than the panniculectomy), plication of the rectus muscles, and repair of the hernia. I would suggest the tummy tuck more so than the panniculectomy with the plication of the DRAM because the tummy tuck will obtain better cosmetic results. Thank you for your question regarding will you need a panniculectomy after a diastasis and hernia repair. I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. If you have any more questions regarding the panniculectomy, extended lower body lift, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please contact my office. Since the panniculectomy or lower body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the panniculectomy or lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 panniculectomies or circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, panniculectomy or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)