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

Question

I had my babies 18 months apart, both over 8lbs. I developed a 3-4 finger separation that has closed to about a 2, and an umbilical hernia that was repaired w/o mesh in 2016. I would like to improve the look of my stomach and belly button and close the separation and repair the hernia. I’m 34 years old, 5’4 and 120lbs. I recently saw a PS for a consultation for a tummy tuck and he said I wasn’t a candidate for a tummy tuck as I don’t have enough fat or skin laxity. What are my options?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

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.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

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

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

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

Answers (7)

Answer: Umbilical hernia

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

Answers (7)

Answer: Umbilical hernia

Answer: Umbilical hernia

Answer: Umbilical hernia

Answer: Umbilical hernia

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Umbilical Hernia Repair

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