Liposuction to Remove Fat During Hernia Repair?

Reccurrent ventral hernia repair is a complex surgery that will require component separation plus or minus mesh repair. Component separation is a surgical technique that advances the different muscle layers of the abdominal wall separately. This technique is proven to provide longer lasting results. Use of a mesh might be required as a reinforcement or as part of the repair if the abdominal fscia is weak. Removal of fat via lipousction in the same procedure might be done for other areas. I would not perform liposuction of the abdomen in the same time. This could compromise the blood supply tp the advanced flaps.I recommend to have a stagged approach to this problem.If the hernia needs to be done ASAP, procede with this surgery followed by other procedure or weight loss. Best of luck!

Dear Carole, thank you for your question. Combining surgeries is not uncommon and can be performed safely. In your situation - with a 3rd surgery being performed for the same problem - which is now causing you discomfort- it would not be reasonable to combine the 2 procedures. As well, liposuction does cause increased swelling post operatively, as well as numbness and this may interfere with the healing of your hernia repair.
Good luck with your surgery!
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD

In general, liposuction for excess weight is a bad idea. If you need to lose weight because of inactivity (as you said) then after your hernia repair you should try to piggy back off of the recovery period and try to become more active. Lipo is not a solution for being sedentary and it would complicate the wound healing process since it would cause fluid to collect in the area where the fat was taken. Go step by step, I'm sure your plastic surgeon would recommend the same.