Can A Tummy Tuck Surgery Fix A Hernia?

Can A Tummy Tuck Surgery Fix A Hernia?

Date 25 Sep 2023  

Tummy tuck surgery or Abdominoplasty is an invasive procedure to tighten abdominal muscles and remove extra belly skin and fat. It is mostly recommended for people experiencing rapid weight loss, those who have loose or sagging belly skin with age, or women who want a pre-pregnancy figure. But as much as Tummy Tuck Surgery in Hyderabad is at the forefront of improving many women’s physiques, it is also rising in popularity to address physical complications such as hernias.

What is a Hernia?  

Hernia is a medical term referring to the bulging out of the internal organ through a weakness or opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. Depending upon where the bulge is, hernia is of different types. Most hernias involve pushing out of one of the abdominal organs through holes or weak areas in the strong layers (fascia) of the walls of the abdominal cavity surrounding the abdominal muscles. 

Hernia can cause substantial discomfort if left untreated. Everyday activities like sneezing, coughing, urinating, or lifting heavy objects can aggravate the condition. More importantly, it can cause serious damage and even the death of affected tissue. A surgical intervention is necessary to fix a hernia such as it can be done with Tummy Tuck in Hyderabad combined with Hernia Repair.

In this blog, the female tummy tuck surgeon at Eternelle Aesthetics has discussed tummy tuck procedures and how undergoing one can assist in Hernia Repair in Hyderabad.

What Causes Hernia?

Usually, there isn’t any definite cause of hernia. There are different reasons for different types of hernias. However, all types of hernias have one common thing: they all begin with putting more pressure on the internal organs or intestines. 

  • Chronic constipation or straining while using the washroom and carrying heavy objects are two common actions that might result in a hernia. 
  • Other activities or medical problems that can lead to hernia include cystic fibrosis, ascites (fluid build-up in the abdomen), chronic coughing or sneezing, poor nutrition, overexertion, smoking, and peritoneal dialysis. 
  • While the body is generally capable of coping with internal pressure, certain people have a weakening in the muscle or tissue that results in a break or tear. When this happens, the gut or underlying fatty tissue is forced forward, resulting in a painful lump.
  • Some people have a family history of hernia. 

Symptoms of a Hernia

Although hernias can be painful, they can sometimes be asymptomatic. Common symptoms of hernia are as follows:

  • Bulge or lump on the stomach or in the pubic region that keeps growing
  • Tenderness in the vicinity of the lump
  • Difficulty in lifting heavy objects
  • Pain or discomfort while bending, coughing, or straining
  • Nausea and vomiting (as a result of severe or infected hernias)
  • Inability to pass gas or have normal bowel movements (in case of bigger hernias causing strangulation).

Tummy Tuck Surgery For Hernia Repair

A tummy tuck with hernia repair is a two-in-one procedure for individuals who desire to correct a hernia while also removing unsightly loose skin as a result of pregnancy, aging, or considerable weight loss. It can provide patients with a minimal risk of complications and side effects and a lower rate of hernia recurrence, thereby reducing the patient's suffering and downtime. 

This procedure is especially beneficial for individuals who are obese, have many hernias, or are at risk of recurrent hernias. It is beneficial for women who develop hernias during pregnancy and have a very lax abdominal wall with weak muscular tone following childbirth.

The Tummy Tuck Surgeon in Hyderabad insists on a tummy tuck in addition to the hernia repair to strengthen and tighten the abdominal muscles and to address any umbilical or ventral hernia. 

Tummy Tuck offers Following Benefits:

  • Surgery will strengthen the abdominal wall by suturing or using a mesh to close the hernia defect, essentially fixing the hernia. This is a common approach for umbilical or ventral hernias.
  • It flattens, firms, and tones the abdomen by removing any extra skin
  • It makes the waist appear slimmer and tighter
  • It can remove stretch marks on the belly
  • It strengthens all of the body’s curves
  • It can help improve posture
  • The effects are long-lasting
  • It increases one’s self-confidence and self-esteem
  • It can strengthen the abdominal muscles that are strained or divided
  • It can sculpt the abdomen profile.

How Tummy Tuck Surgery is Performed to Fix Hernia?

Tummy tuck surgery is performed under anesthesia and takes about two hours. The surgeon recommends that the patient should stay overnight in the hospital to receive the best post-operative care.

The surgery commences with the making of an incision around the belly button which extends beneath the panty line to both sides of the hip. Through the abdominal incision, the surgeon removes extra skin and lifts the skin and tissues. 

During surgery, both the upper and lower abdomens are tightened. The surgeon fixes the hernia by pushing back the protruding organ behind the abdominal wall using sutures. The belly button is also repositioned after an incision is made in the centre of the abdomen and the loose and hanging skin of the stomach is clipped.  

In obese females who develop an abdominal hernia, simple hernia surgery may not address the excess tissue and fat in the abdominal wall. There is also a higher chance of a hernia recurrence. In such cases, hernia repair may require bariatric surgery. An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is for normal or somewhat overweight patients. 

Results and Recovery

The recovery and results of an abdominoplasty with hernia repair might vary from person to person. The majority of hernias respond well to treatment. The results of tummy tuck surgery should be long-lasting as long as there is no excess weight gain or forthcoming pregnancy. If women get pregnant or gain a lot of weight, their rectus muscles and skin will stretch out again and the previous surgery's effects will be reversed.

Following a tummy tuck, the effect of swelling may fluctuate depending on the type of hernia and the area of hernia corrected. The swelling or lump can resolve in 6 months or more. Along with the swelling and protrusion caused by the surgery, a few drops of blood may collect in the lump area. This will, however, gradually lessen over the next few weeks. The patients will see a flatter and toned abdomen as the swelling subsides. Incision scars fade away gradually as time passes.

The majority of patients can go home the same day they have their hernia repaired. Full recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks. During recovery, the patient must avoid lifting heavy weights or putting pressure on the affected area. Wearing a supportive waist girdle for at least a few weeks following surgery is part of post-surgical treatment. Physical exercise should be started gently and gradually without putting undue strain on the body. Antibiotics must be taken to reduce the chance of infection. 

It's essential to discuss your specific situation with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine if a tummy tuck with hernia repair is a suitable option. For more details get in touch with a tummy tuck surgeon in Hyderabad at Eternelle Aesthetics.

Also Read: Mini Tummy Tuck In Hyderabad