I have an umbilical hernia and my stomach has stretch marks. Can I get lipo or this won't help at all? (Photos)

Question

I only weight 118 but after my pregnancy my stomach looks bloated. I have and umbilical hernia and strech marks. I don't have a lot of loose skin. Can I get a lipo and will this work or I need a tummy tuck? My gynecologist told me to wait after having kids in order to get a tummy tuck. Will the lipo help my at all?

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

I think a lot of women find themselves in your position after having their first child or two. They want to restore their body contour, but may not be done having children.
So in general, most plastic surgeons and gynecologists recommend waiting until after having children to have a tummy tuck. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If a patient has tremendous weight loss through exercise/diet or through "stomach" surgeries, then a plastic surgeon might be willing to do a tummy tuck to help the patient restore their body contour; on the condition they are aware that future pregnancies may affect their tummy tuck results. Patients can still go through a normal pregnancy after a tummy tuck.
If you see a plastic surgeon for a consult, you will probably be given several options to help with your tummy. The obvious first option is exercise and losing weight. I understand this can be hard while you are spending time taking care of your child. If this doesn't work for you, then liposuction could be an option. You do seem to have some good skin tone and should have a good response. However, liposuction won't help with your stretch marks and slightly loose muscle. A tummy tuck will tighten the skin and muscle. It will also remove a lot of the stretch marks. But again, you might want to hold off if you are still planning to have children.
Now let's discuss the hernia. Your hernia is not small. Some plastic surgeons can incorporate an umbilical hernia repair in a tummy tuck, but you would have to ask them if they are comfortable doing that. You may be referred to a general surgeon who might be able to do the hernia repair at the same time of the tummy tuck. If you choose liposuction, your plastic surgeon should be cautious working around your umbilicus to avoid any problems. Hernias are not usually fixed during liposuction procedures. 
So again, your decision boils down to your expectations and future pregnancies. If you are willing to wait until after having children, then a tummy tuck in the future might give you better results with the benefit of a hernia repair. If you want to do something now, liposuction will help, but it won't address the stretch marks, hernia or loose muscle.
I hope this helps. Good luck.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. After you are done having children, you will be a great candidate for a tummy tuck with liposuction.  This can be done through a low and short
incision, all completely below the bikini line. 
The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on
the exterior.   Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  Your hernia can be repaired at that time. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Your OBGYN is correct; if you plan on additional pregnancies, the TT may have to revised.  A general surgeon can repair the umbilical hernia.  Lipo will not remove the stretch marks. Removal of skin is the most effective stretchmark treatment available.  The stretchmarks to the level of the belly button are generally removed, sometimes more, are removed with a TT. There are very, very few women who benefit from a minitummy tuck who would not do better with a full tummy tuck with a shorter scar.  Fifty percent of the tummy tucks I perform are short scar, which takes about 50% of the scar away.  Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Jean Paul Giudicelli Saba, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for sharing your concern and photos with us!
First I want to congratulate you for making this important decision. Deciding to get an aesthetic procedure to change your body and get a new life style is a big step!
  
Looking at your photos I might say that you´ll be a great candidate to get a tummy tuck, this is because all the extra skin located in this areas plus your abdominal muscle needs to be repaired. Before all this, of course, you need to get a complete medical evaluation and laboratory exams to check everything is fine. For us your safety, always, is going to be first.
  
Have a great day! 
  
Dr. JPG

Charles T. Slack, MD · Answer

it looks like you are suffering from some of the common abdominal problems that can occur after having a baby. The bloated appearance is probably form rectus diastasis ( separation ) and general abdominal wall laxity. This is corrected as by plicating or tightentig the recuts muscles as part of an abdominoplasty. Stretch marks are an indication of dammaged skin that is unlikley to snap back as it would need to if liposuction only were performed. You would need some skin tightenting, again this would involve a tummy tuck which could remove most but not all of your stretch marks. Any fat beneath the skin that is removed would also be removed with a tummy tuck. Your umbilical hernia can be repaired at the same time you are having a tummy tuck and is a good time to do it.

I have an umbilical hernia and my stomach has stretch marks. Can I get lipo or this won't help at all? (Photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Lipo or tummy tuck

Answer: Lipo or tummy tuck

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

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I have an umbilical hernia and my stomach has stretch marks. Can I get lipo or this won't help at all? (Photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy tuck

Answer: Lipo or tummy tuck

Answer: Lipo or tummy tuck

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.