Can a plastic surgeon do umbilical core hernia repair at the time of tummy tuck?

Umbilical hernias are quite common and occur in the setting of a previous surgery, pregnancy, or diastasis recti. We treat umbilical hernias with or without correction of diastasis recti using a combination approach that corrects redundant skin in the lower abdomen and around the belly button. If there is a lot of skin, we would use a tummy tuck scar whereas smaller corrections can be performed using just the belly button incision which is well hidden inside your belly button.


Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Dear Katekynn,It is very convenient to have an umbilical hernia repaired at the time of an abdominoplasty, and I may know why a general surgeon may be needed to do this procedure instead of your plastic surgeon if operating at a surgery center or hospital.Some surgeons have completed training in both general surgery (having completed 5 years) and plastic surgery (typically completing 2 years). If they have taken their boards they can apply for privileges at hospitals to perform the surgery that falls under both specialties (a hernia repair is only done by general surgeons). Another pathway to becoming a plastic surgeon is called the "integrated" route where they complete 3 years of general surgery (and are not able to take boards and get privileges to do general surgery procedures) and 3 years in plastic surgery (getting extra training in plastic surgery). There are also other pathways to a plastic surgery residency through ENT and urology.  None of these surgeons are allowed to do procedures strictly done by general surgeons, regardless of how simple the procedure is. It protects a general surgeon's turf, and is safer for patients to regulate such things.Your may have been referred to a general surgeon because of the size or symptoms of the hernia and your plastic surgeon may feel more comfortable having the hernia specialist take the reigns here. Mesh or laparoscopic repair may be needed, or something else that is not quite clear. Don't hesitate to ask your plastic surgeon why they cannot repair the hernia for you. The answer may make sense.

Dear Ms. Katekynn,Thank you for your story and questions. Nothing substitutes for a personal evaluation and a face to face discussion of your options.Unfortunately with out photos or preferably a exam of your tissues I can can only comment based your comments Both the diastasis and umbilical hernia repair are completed in conjunction with a abdominoplasty( tummy tuck).+ the excess lower abdominal skin will be excised and the skin over the diastasis repair will lay down smooth+/- you will have a single supra public (covered by a bathing suit bottom and possible peri umbilical incision that is concealed by its location. Often the umbilical hernia can be repaired without making a peri umbilical incision.Many Plastic Surgeons are dual Bd. Cert. (Both General and Plastic Surgery) and by their training and experience are abel to repair both your umbilical hernia and diastasis.I trust your Plastic Surgeon is Certified by the Am. Bd. Of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).I wish you my best and success,R. A. Hardesty, MD, FACSDiplomate and Certified by the Am. Bd. of Plastic Surgerywwwimagineplasticsurgery.com4646 Brockton AveRiverside, Ca 92506(951) 686-7600