Would a tummy tuck enhance the cosmetic result of my stomach after hernia and diastasis recti repair? (photos)

It seems the surgeon had good intentions, but closing a gap between the muscles without releasing the overlying skin from the muscle separation can lead to issues like skin bunching. The good news is that this problem can be fixed. You have two options, and these are both based on the fact that the skin needs to be separated from the underlying muscle to heal smoothly without bunching.

1. Endoscopic Approach: This involves a small incision above the belly button. The endoscope would be used to release the skin from the muscles that were brought together in the first surgery, resolving the skin bunching. This approach is less invasive.

Tummy Tuck: If you have enough skin laxity, a tummy tuck would provide the smoothest and most refined results. It would also allow for the repair of the residual muscle separation that is visible in the photos. However, it does involve more recovery time and the tummy tuck incision.

Dr. B.

It would take a really good examination to be able to offer you possible strategies. I do not think there is a simple answer and it would have to be clear what your expectations are.

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos. By examining them, I can confirm that a tummy tuck would indeed enhance the cosmetic appearance of your stomach following your hernia and diastasis recti repair. While your hernia repair successfully addressed the functional issues, it did not address the excess skin and creases that are now present. This is a common concern for patients in similar situations.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) will smooth out the creases and remove the small amount of excess skin above your belly button. Additionally, this procedure will refine the contour of your abdomen, giving it a flatter and more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Since your diastasis recti has already been partially repaired, your surgeon can further enhance the muscle tightening if necessary during the tummy tuck.

Even though you don't have significant excess skin, a tummy tuck would still be the ideal procedure to restore a more youthful and toned look to your abdomen. I encourage you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and determine the best surgical plan to achieve the results you desire.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Hello,During a mini tummy tuck, if the area causing tension in the upper abdomen is released, the problem may be resolved, or the issue can be fixed with a reverse abdominoplasty.

Dear ginvan02,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your query. You do not have enough loose skin to have a tummy tuck. In this situation I usually do a subcision, where the skin is stuck, to release it and add some autologous fat as a spacer and also to improve the contours. It usually works very well. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns

Indeed, it looks like your excess skin will need attention. Lower skin excision with umbilical transposition will be needed to help tighten and clean up the appearance of your tummy. This will be a skin-only procedure as the muscles are already tight so the recovery will not be as extensive as a traditional tummy tuck.

In your pre-operative photograph, you have a fold of skin above the umbilicus. It may be possible that your breasts and chest wall have moved down and you would benefit from a breast lift, which will pull the upper abdominal skin up. I would need photographs of your breasts without a bra to give you a more accurate answer. I do not think you need a tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Although this is unfortunate, it can be fixed. The reason there is a crease is because the surgeon pulled a portion of the rectus muscle together without detaching the overlying skin, forcing the skin to crumple on itself. This can be fixed by lifting the skin off of a broad area of muscle, which could possibly be accomplished through the periumbilical incision you already have. Two caveats though are that smoothing might not be perfect and your belly button might not look much better than it does now. An alternative to this way is to perform an actual tummy tuck, which would fully smooth and tighten the skin.

The vertical depression next to your belly button (on the side of arm with watch) can be undermined and released. After that I'd suggest a fat grafting to support the regular tissue thickness and achieve symmetry. The bump just above your belly button can be removed with a gentle liposuction and will also be relaxed after the scar undermining. This treatment can improve the cosmetic appearance but might require several sessions (because the scar tissue and depression can reoccur) and additional treatments for scar quality and depression.