Hernia after abdominalplasty? Is it common. 2 years post-op.

Question

I had a tummy tuck two years ago and on a few return visits I notice a lump mid abdomen but my surgeon told me it was fat and that I should try to squeeze it. I thought he was wrong because it was painful. Last week I went to the ER for pain and a cat scan revealed I had a spigelean hernia that could have been caused by my procedure. Now I need surgery and after spending thousands to have a beautiful body I will be sporting a scar too. How common is this?

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

A spigelian hernia is caused by an inherent weakness in the internal girdle of the abdomen.  It happens at a site where two areas of muscle joint up, and in some patients this area is weak and prone to defects which allow internal structures to bulge outwards.  It is an uncommon hernia, and usually occurs in patients unrelated to any kind of surgery.  For it to be related to the tummy tuck would be very unlikely as this is not the area of muscle typically sutured in a tummy tuck.  Involve your plastic surgeon in this discussion as it is not necessary to add any more scars to your body-- the old scar can be opened up to allow access for the general surgeon to treat the hernia however he or she needs to.  So, this should not in any way affect the result that you've paid for.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Mark Broudo, MD · Answer

This is unlikely to be the result of your first surgery. In any case, if you'd like to avoid any extra scarring, you should speak with your plastic surgeon. They can open up your old abdominoplasty scar to allow access to repair your hernia so that the there will be no additional scar.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is unlikely that the two are related.   This is usually a defect internally to the side of the rectus muscle.

Hernia after abdominalplasty? Is it common. 2 years post-op.

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Hernia after abdominalplasty? Is it common. 2 years post-op.

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