Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

A combination procedure would be best

My preference (as a general and plastic surgeon) is to fix the umbilical hernia using your own muscle tissue and tighten/repair the msucles at the same time. After that, the tummy tuck is done as usual.

I do not like to use plastic mesh to fix hernias because of problems with recurrence and infection, and my preference is to have control over the muscle repair because that is an important part of getting a nicely sculpted result. (John LoMonaco, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

What you likely have is what is called a “rectus diastasis”, where the two rectus muscles of your abdomen (the muscles that make a “six pack”) have widened and moved away from the midline of your body. This is quite common after pregnancy, and certainly after 5 pregnancies.

Umbilical hernia and tummy tuck surgery

Having an umbilical hernia as well is very common and we often fix them during tummy tucks. Without having examined you personally, my guess is that while you may not have a lot of extra skin, you probably have some, and you almost certainly have significant laxity of your abdominal wall muscles.

This means that you would likely be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. When I examine a woman’s abdomen, I’m looking at a few things: laxity of the abdominal wall muscles amount of excess skin presence of excess fat location and shape of the belly button presence of any old scars (for example from a C-section or from abdominal surgery)

Umbilical hernia and tummy tuck image

In many cases, the majority of the work and attention during a tummy tuck procedure has to do with the tightening of the abdominal muscles to help flatten the abdomen, improve its contour, and reconstruct those six pack muscles. Removal of excess skin is also important, but it’s not the only issue that is corrected.

Bottom line: Just because you don’t have a lot of extra skin doesn’t mean you can’t have a tummy tuck. I would recommend seeking a second opinion from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. (Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Umbilical hernia repair and tummy tuck

Umbilical hernia and tummy tuck for man

If you have an umbilical hernia and a weakened abdominal wall, these can both be addressed during a tummy tuck procedure. If you have a true abdominal hernia, you may require a hernia repair with mesh at the same time which can be done with a general surgeon or by your plastic surgeon.

This is difficult to answer without examining you so I would advise seeing several different plastic surgeons before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck Fix Torn Stomach Muscles and Umbilical Hernia

Hi, this is not an uncommon scenario. Although an abdominoplasty may be the best option, it may leave you with an unacceptable high scar. Other options include a lower mini abdominoplasty.

Umbilical hernia and tummy tuck photo

General surgeons are very capable of fixing umbilical hernias through short incisions but repair of split muscles is a different matter – you may end up with a not so acceptable cosmetic tummy tuck result. It would be reasonable to get a couple of opinions from different plastic surgeons- ask about their experience with this condition. (George Volpe, MD, Boston Plastic Surgeon)

Repair of muscles in tummy tuck?

If you have a separation of your tummy muscles then they can be repaired to give you a smaller waist and flatter stomach without doing a full tt. Maybe the plastic surgeon didn’t feel capable of doing it? (Edward J. Domanskis, MD, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)

Remove umbilical hernia is one of the primary goals of tummy tuck

Male umbilical hernia and tummy tuck

The tummy tuck is a very powerful tool to repair the muscles weakened by pregnancy. An umbilical hernia can be repaired at the same time as a tummy tuck, but it has to be done very carefully in order to preserve the blood supply to the belly button. If you do not have enough skin to perform a tummy tuck, it does become a more difficult question.

The general surgeon certainly can repair the umbilical hernia, but it is definitely not typical for them to reconstruct the abdominal wall musculature for your diathesis recti. (Gary Lawton, MD, San Antonio Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck for muscle repair

An experienced plastic surgeon can absolutely repair tour muscles and tour hernia. Some women have minimal excess skin, but significant muscle separation. The change in their physique is life altering. Your question is a great reminder that no two tummy tucks are exactly alike.

This is not a “cookie cutter” surgery and therefore there cannot be a set price as each surgery is customized for each person. (Michael Law, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck to repair muscles and hernia?

Umbilical hernia and tummy tuck male

It is common for me to repair hernias and torn muscles when I perform a tummy tuck. In some cases insurance will help to cover the medically necessary portion of the procedure, such as an umbilical hernia. If you are considering a tummy tuck in the future, it is wise to consult with a plastic surgeon first before undergoing a hernia repair. (David Stoker, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Diastasis rectus is a condition similar to a hernia, but not a true umbilical hernia. Pregnancy causes the tissue between the muscles to stretch leaving a gap when you contract the muscles. A hernia is a defect of the abdominal wall with herniation of the lining and contents.

Hernias are in the realm of general surgery, but most plastic surgeons are also general surgery trained and you can ask them about their comfort level. Diastasis is considered cosmetic unless extreme, and even then is hard to get insurance to cover, because there is no medical risk if you do not have it repaired.

Plastic surgeons can better address the skin excess if present to help maximize the contour of your abdominal wall, where general surgeons just fix the hernia. (Christopher J. Kovanda, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Yes your tmbilical hernia and your muscle separation can be repaired at the time of the tummy tuck, in reality that is what a tummy tuck is all about. (Mel T. Ortega, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)