NHS Coverage for Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck?

Question

I have been diagnosed with a ventral hernia (I think), which was caused by pregnancy. Basically my abdominal muscles parted during pregnancy but never met back together. I also have loose skin in the area. My gp has said that exercise alone will not work and that surgery is the only option. Do you know if this kind of operation (hernia repair and Tummy Tuck, I suppose) should be available on the NHS?

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD · Answer

The hernia you dewsxcribe is what is known as  diastsis rectus (rectii) or , as you described the separation of the abdominal musculature from pregnancy. Surgery should definitely give a good improvement. The excess skin can be removed as well. The combination of the two is an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.
 
insurance does not usually cover this, but sometimes the diastasis repair is depending on the severity of it. You need to check with your carrier or govenment on this.

Karen M. Horton, MD · Answer

Although there are common and permanent sequelae of pregnancy women face, including stretch marks, lower abdominal bulge and "rectus diastasis" (separation of the rectus abdominis muscles), insurance will not usually cover the costs of surgery.

	Rarely, if you have a confirmed "hernia" (protrusion of your intestines through a weakening or opening on your abdominal wall fascia), your insurance company may cover only part of this procedure to repair this specific defect.

	However, a national health care system will likely encourage you to see a General Surgeon or other specialist for the hernia repair alone.

	For the best cosmetic results, I would encourage you to see a Plastic Surgeon who is trained not only at addressing the deep changes of pregnancy and will tighten your abdominal wall fascia, but the external cosmetic results such as skin excision and contouring of the upper and lower abdomen.

Jack Gelman, MD (retired) · Answer

Unlikely. But check with the NHS. A board-certified plastic surgeon can give you the necesssary diagnosis and procedure codes to determine eligibility. Even with those codews there may be certain requirements to get insurance covergage. Be prepared to pay for this procedure if it is cosmetic.

NHS Coverage for Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck?

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