Can One Plastic Surgeon Do Hernia Repairs Along with Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for your question.Yes, it is possible to have those procedure at the same time. But first, for safety reasons, to be a good candidate for the procedures you want at the same time, your labs and  cardiovascular preoperative evaluation must be optimal.
Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thank you for your question regarding whether a plastic surgeon can perform both a hernia repair and a tummy tuck. Yes, many board-certified plastic surgeons, including myself, frequently perform hernia repairs in combination with tummy tucks. In fact, it's quite common to address both issues during the same procedure.

In your case, since you have an umbilical hernia and abdominal wall separation (diastasis recti), both conditions can be corrected during the tummy tuck. I would start by repairing the hernia, which involves closing the gap in the abdominal wall where the muscles have torn. After the hernia is repaired, I would then proceed with the cosmetic aspects of the tummy tuck, such as removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles.

By combining the two procedures, you can achieve both functional and aesthetic improvements in one surgery. This approach is not only convenient but can also lead to a more comprehensive result without needing two separate procedures.

I recommend consulting with a plastic surgeon experienced in performing both hernia repairs and tummy tucks to discuss the best plan for your specific case.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Yes, as stated in most instances a plastic surgeon can repair both but many hospitals and accrediting instittuitions prefer that they be performed by two separate phsysicians. In some instances the hernias are better treated with placement of a mesh material inside the abdominal cavity. In these particular cases, the general surgeons tend to perform this procedure.

If the umbilical (belly button) hernia is quite small, then your plastic surgeon should be able to repair this at the same time as your tummy tuck. If the hernia is noticed before surgery to be quite large, a consultation with a general surgeon is recommended as the repair may require mesh at the same time. Then both the general surgeon and plastic surgeon can work simultaneously to treat your abdominal wall. Some plastic surgeons may feel comfortable and competent to repair large hernias on their own.
Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who has familiarity with hernia repair techniques and is also board certified in general surgery.

There are many Plastic Surgeons who are Board Certified in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. In addition, many had experience doing such repairs in their training.

Because of medico-legal issues, many opt to bring in a General surgeon to do the hernia repair in case there are injuries to the tissues in cases of very scarred hernias or where there have been many procedures, which increase the chances of heavy scarring.

I do most of these repairs on my own, as I also was boarded in General Surgery, but on occasion I will consult with a general surgeon.

I have included a video below on the issue of the torn muscle, which is called a Rectus Diastasis. You have a Rectus diastasis with a hernia, and in your case I would most likely include the hernia repair with the repair of the rectus diastasis.