What Risks Come with a Skinny Person Having a Full Tummy Tuck to Correct Umbilical Hernia?

A full tummy tuck can fix your hernia and pull the skin tight to get rid of the wrinkling and I have some patients that just don’t need MR and you may be one of them. I don’t think there is any more risk for you in having MR, but it does add to your recovery. And in thin women without much skin overhang, you may end up with a slightly flat belly button after and a small vertical incision just above your pubic bone, where your old belly button was.

There are three elements to be considered in any tummy tuck:  1. the excess skin - reshaping it to look good. 2. the distribution of fat - often adjunctive liposuction is necessary to create an excellent contour and 3. the post pregnancy space between the rectus muscles, called a divarication.

Some tummies need all 3 to be addressed, some 2 and some 1.  If your tummy is genuinely flat with no bulge above or below the belly button, you are unlikely to need a muscle repair.  It is more likely that a skin only tummy tuck is all that's necessary.

In my practice around two thirds of tt patients require a muscle repair and a third don't.

It would be necessary to examine you at a consultation to properly advise you, as some patients have a divarication that they're not aware of.

Good luck!

There may be several problems for you:

the hernia repair may be fixed but the umbilicus very flat is there is not much fat

the hernia can be fixed through the umbilical incision

the excess skin may not move far enough to allow a low placed incision or will require a verticle incision in the lower abdomen

you need to consider these trade-offs

Hi there-

I have never seen, read, or heard anything that would make me think thinner patients experience more of anything untoward after a tummy tuck than less thin patients do.

If you and your surgeon believe that is the procedure that will give you the best outcome, this should not be a reason you proceed in any other fashion.

Thank you for the question.

It is difficult to give you accurate advice without pictures or physical examination. Generally speaking if a patient has  the anatomy you describe  the tummy tuck procedure is the best way to go. Planning of the incision line is extremely important to ensure tension free closure. You may also need a short vertical incision at the midline of the transverse tummy tuck  incision (previous umbilical opening).

I hope this helps.