What are my options for an umbilical hernia repair/diastasis recti repair/umbilicoplasty? (Photo)

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

Hello, thank you for your question. In most cases, usually repair of an umbilical hernia is done at the time of a tummy tuck, but you do not need this procedure. You can just have the umbilical hernia repaired, you will just have a small incision around your belly button. I recommend you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, history of two pregnancies, and skin laxity around your belly button, you are a 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.  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.

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Dear  roxybabe86,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, umbilical hernia repair is performed during tummy tuck. If you don't have much loose skin, then you can probably just get umbilical hernia repair. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

This, standing alone, is a procedure that would be performed by a general surgeon as a covered service. I agree that, at least based on the photos, you are not a candidate for abdominoplasty.

You can definitely improve your abdominal appearance using a mini tummy tuck which can confirm and fix any residual umbilical hernia. What this surgery will do is tighten your lower abdomen and skin around the belly button and make the entire belly button look smaller and more hidden thus making your belly look more tone. Please consider a virtual consultation with a high definition body contouring specialist to confirm this recommendation.

Thank you for your photos and questions.  Your picture makes it difficult to view your full abdomen and  know what your best option might be. You have many fine features including well defined muscle tone, well shaped waistline and you appear to be at an ideal weight.  It appears as though you still have some muscle separation and some excess skin around your belly button.  An in person consultation would make it possible to assess your skin laxity to help you decide whether a tummy tuck will give you the outcome that you are seeking.  We could discuss the differences between a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck to see if either is appropriate for you.