Can I repair my umbilical hernia during a tummy tuck surgery?

Sometimes umbilical hernia repairs can be repaired during abdominoplasty. If the hernia is large, it may require mesh and should probably be done at a separate sitting in most cases. Often small hernias are found at surgery and can be fixed simply with a few sutures. The abdominoplasty itself can relieve tension on the area and protect the simple closure. A plastic surgeon who examines you would be able to give you a much better indication of whether you need separate surgeries.

That's a great question, and unfortunately it's not necessarily a straightforward answer. If you asked this question to ten different plastic surgeon, you will probably receive a range of answers.
Some plastic surgeons will say no and defer treatment of the umbilical hernia repair to a general surgeon, which is very reasonable.
For those plastic surgeons who offer umbilical hernia repair with a tummy tuck, I think the most common factors that they are going to take into consideration are: the size of the hernia, if the hernia is recurrent (has it been repaired before?), if the hernia caused any symptoms like pain/discomfort, if mesh has been used or is going to be used.
For tummy tucks where the the belly button is moved (transposed), we need to make sure that the belly button maintains a good blood supply. For that reason, some surgeons may want to avoid manipulating the belly button any more than is absolutely necessary. Disrupting the blood supply could result in poor wound healing and partial/complete loss of the belly button.

That's an excellent question! And the answer is yes, in fact, it's a very common and recommended practice. Umbilical hernia repair can be performed safely and efficiently during the same abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) procedure.

Thanks for your question! There are many surgeons that can or will do them simultaneously. You just have to find one! Good luck!

Gentle437037,Yes! During a traditional tummy tuck is a great time to have your umbilical hernia fixed. The skin of your abdominal wall is elevated all the way up to your rib cage to fix or plicate your rectus muscle. At that time the hernia can be fixed while you rectus muscle is tightened. Sometimes this will be done by your plastic surgeon, other times a general surgeon will come for that portion of the case. Dr Stein

Yes, you can repair an umbilical hernia at the same time as your tummy tuck. Most patients like to do it at the same time. However, typically can only be done with a full tummy tuck and not a mini. Fixing the hernia at the same time does not impact recovery or have any extra scars.

Yes, it is possible to repair an umbilical hernia at the time of a tummy tuck. If you have a low BMI, the hernia is small (no larger than a marble) then we can expect a successful operation. The blood supply to the belly button is thin with a tummy tuck, so the surgeon will need to be careful to keep the umbilicus healthy. See attached reference. I hope this helps. Thank you!

In patients who have both an umbilical hernia and loose abdominal tissue, it is quite common to address both concerns in a single procedure. The safety and recovery mostly depend on the hernia’s size and the strength of the abdominal wall.
A small hernia can usually be repaired during a tummy tuck using the same incision, without leaving an additional scar. When the hernia is larger or when there is separation between the abdominal muscles, the area can be reinforced internally, and in selected cases a small mesh may be added for extra support.
Recovery after the combined procedure is usually similar to that of a standard tummy tuck, although gentle movement and core protection are advised in the early period.
This combined approach allows the abdomen to be both stronger and smoother in a single, well-planned surgery.Güray Yeşiladalı, MD

If you are having a traditional abdominoplasty/tummy tuck, your abdominal skin is elevated up to nearly your ribs. This gives wide exposure to your fascia between your rectus muscles, which may need to be sutured together during your abdominoplasty/tummy tuck. If there is a hernia at your umbilicus, this can easily be repaired at the same time. This does not increase the recovery time and only minimally increases the operative time. If you are only having a mini tummy tuck, where your incision would only be low on the abdomen, you can still have an umbilical If you are only having a mini tummy tuck, where your incision would only be low on your abdomen, you can still have a umbilical hernia repaired with a small incision around the edge of your belly button. Discuss these options with your plastic surgeon.Best wishes.

Yes often you can have your umbilical hernia repaired during your tummy tuck surgery. Look for a surgeon who is double board certified to safely and competently address both concerns. I am double board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and learn more about the procedures.