Tummy Tuck and Hernia Repair - Atlanta, GA

Well I am 32 (on 7/1) and 5'4". I weigh 155. I am not at my ideal weight but I have a incarcerated umbilical hernia which is become more and more painful everyday. I have done quite a bit of research and consulted with several (4) doctors both ps and gs in order to figure out what was the right path for me. The first gs said that he could repair the umbilical hernia using a 3 inch incision below my naval. The first ps said he could repair the umbilical hernia during the tt but that I would most likely not have a naval but would have a small scar in that area. The second gs said he could repair the hernias both of the ones he identified the incarcerated umbilical hernia and a Ventral hernia located above my naval about half way to my breast bone. He would do this repair using 2 incisions in my upper abdominal area. Both gs planned to use mesh during the repair. I have heard a lot of really bad stuff about mesh and hernia repairs. I forgot to mention the GERD. It's about a 3 finger separation. So I'm wondering 'isn't that just patching the problem'? So the last ps I saw (who I did a lot of research on prior) told me he could fix both hernias, even the incarnated umbilical without me loading my naval during a full TT. I am done having children and of course have always wanted to get rid of my cat belly. I figure it's now or never.

So I am scheduled for a full TT and hernia repair (plus a tubal ligation, maybe tmi) on 7/3! My doctors office has really bent over backwards to get me in quickly since i suspect my hernia is slowly becoming strangulated since it is becoming more painful, I can no longer where pants it is to painful.

I am very scared!!! I paid yesterday $6,500 for the TT and $2,990 for the hospital included an overnight stay. That does not include the hernia repair. My insurance will be paying for a portion of that.

I have preop tomorrow.