A few years ago I had TUBA breast augmentation. Is it possible that it could have caused a belly button hernia?

Hi Jasmino,

I am sorry to hear about what you are experiencing. It is difficult to ascertain what this is and its causes. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon to have yourself properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jasmino.  Sorry you are having this issue. Theoretically, it is possible that an umbilical hernia could be caused by this operation if, during the dissection, the abdominal wall this weakened. This is one of the many reasons most board-certified plastic surgeons do not perform breast augmentation through this approach. It is a blind approach, not allowing proper dissection of the breast Implant pocket.

It would be unlikely for an umbilical port breast augmentation to have caused a hernia.  Six years is a long time after surgery and umbilical hernias are very common.

Hello and thanks for your question.  Yes, an umbilical hernia can certainly result after a TUBA breast augmentation.  You should seek evaluation for a hernia repair.Best wishes!Daniel Brown, MD, FACSBoard Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsMember, American Society of  Plastic SurgeonsCastle Connolly Top DocReal Self Top 500

The usual course of placing the tube through the incision is by passing it in a subcutaneous pocket. It is unlikely to have caused an umbilical hernia.

It is conceivable that the surgical technique made you more susceptible to an umbilical hernia. See a general surgeon to confirm that this is, in fact, the case and, if so, to discuss treatment.

A bellybutton hernia is common after pregnancy or having a laparoscopic procedure where the fascia of the abdominal wall is penetrated to gain access to the intra-abdominal contents.  In the case of a trans-umbilical breast augmentation, the incision is only made through the skin and tunneling is performed in the subcutaneous tissue above the fascia of the abdominal wall.  Therefore, the fascia is not penetrated, unless it was done so accidentally.  I do not feel that a hernia is related to that surgery, but rather due to inherent weakening of the fascia in the area of the bellybutton.  I hope this response answers your questions sufficiently.