Can Plastic Surgery Fix my Torn Stomach Muscles and Umbilical Hernia?

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BreastSurgery are performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia repair.  The most common #breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation, or #breastreduction.    Healing after a  #tummytuck will require time. Some patients are out of bed and walking the night of surgery and every hour while awake. I allow my patients to return to work at one to two weeks with 14 days preferred.  However, no lifting or straining.  At three weeks, increased level of activity and full with no restrictions, at 6 weeks. #MummyTummy is a term given to modified tummy tucks which can use liposuction and skin tightening with radiofrequency such Vanquish, Vela3, thermage, thermiRF and others.  The actual fat contouring can be done non-surgically as well with #UltraShape or Cool-Sculpting.The costs of a #Mommy Makeover will depend on several factors. Such include the geographic location, the skill and experience of the surgeon, and operating room and anesthesia fees.  Also, such #combined operations are often performed with our Gynecology colleagues. Tubal ligation is a common post pregnancy procedure which is done at the time of many of the surgeries included with Mommy Makeovers. Therefore, if you require a gynecologic operation or study (laparoscopy) and are considering a plastic surgery procedure, discuss these issues with your doctor. If your surgeon feels you are a candidate, it may be possible to add additional procedures such as those you mention. #Combining these procedures decreases anesthetics, costs, and recovery time.  Most importantly, your procedures should be performed by a #PlasticSurgeon who is board-certified and has a great deal of experience specializing in cosmetic #surgery. You will then greatly improve your chances of getting the result you desire, and, without the need for a revision surgery. It is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

An abdominoplasty can be tailored to address some or all of the problems that a patient may have, as long as it is not intraabdominal.  Hernias can be repaired, some lower abdominal scars removed, muscles tightened, and skin and fat removed, within certain limits.  From your description, I suspect you would probably need an abdominoplasty type incision with abdominal wall tightening (full undermining would be necessary) and probably a limited skin excision.  Of course, a formal consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon is going to be necessary to determine what you can/should have.

Thank you for your question.  While you may not have enough excess skin for a full tummy tuck to be a viable option, the same approach (low abdominal incision) can be used to access your abdominal wall, repair your umbilical hernia, and bring your abdominal muscles back together in the midline (repair your diastasis).  Any excess skin that you may have can then be removed, if necessary.  Repair of diastasis, as well as that of small, uncomplicated umbilical hernias, is routinely performed by qualified plastic surgeons, as part of the tummy tuck operation.  Good luck to you.