The surgical repair of a hernia can be performed by a plastic surgeon to ensure the best aesthetic and functional results. Abdominal hernias, such as umbilical and midline hernias, develop when part of the intestines or fat pushes through weakened abdominal muscles. The muscles of the abdomen can become vulnerable to a hernia because of a previous pregnancy or being overweight.
Hernia repair surgery can also be combined with a full tummy tuck including diastasis recti repair (Split tummy muscles) to further strengthen the abdominal muscles and give the belly a flatter and smoother appearance.
Dr Mark Gittos is a specialist plastic surgeon and a body contouring expert with extensive training in abdominal wall reconstruction and rectus diastasis repair. He uses fine surgical approaches and advanced suturing techniques to give his patients the most appealing cosmetic results after fixing their hernia.
A hernia is a condition that occurs when part of your internal body tissue, such as intestines or fat, pushes through an opening or a weak spot in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. A hernia usually develops as a lump in the tummy or the groin area that appears when you cough, cry, or strain and becomes less obvious when you’re lying down.
Hernias can develop in both children and adults. In most cases, hernias in children don’t cause any symptoms except for a painless bulge. On the other hand, symptoms of hernia in adults include:
Hernias are usually treated by a general surgeon or a plastic surgeon. Dr Mark Gittos usually treats belly hernias as a part of a larger cosmetic procedure (e.g. Tummy tuck). Nevertheless, hernia surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure by a plastic surgeon if you’re looking to maximise the cosmetic outcomes.
Different types of hernias can develop in the abdomen and groin. The hernia type depends on the location where the swelling or lump appears.
Different Types of hernia include:
Abdominal hernias in adults are mainly caused by increased strain or pressure on the tummy combined with a weakness in the abdominal muscles.
Causes of increased abdominal pressure in adults include:
The exact cause of umbilical and epigastric hernias in adults is hard to determine. Although, the primary risk factors for most abdominal hernias are previous pregnancy and being overweight.
During or after pregnancy, women may develop a condition known as diastasis recti, also known as diastasis rectus abdominis. This is a commonly observed condition in women having a tummy tuck procedure to enhance the look of their tummy.
The rectus abdominis muscles are vertical muscles that run along the front of your stomach and are known as “six-pack abs”. During pregnancy, the abdomen becomes stretched creating a gap between the abdominal muscles. After delivery, these muscles heal and retract back closer together.
Diastasis rectus occurs when the overstretched muscles lose their elasticity and are unable to come back together and close the gap properly. A permanent gap develops in the abdominal wall until it’s repaired with the help of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
An umbilical or midline hernia, on the other hand, can develop when fatty tissue or part of the bowels push through these weakened abdominal muscles into an area near the navel. This is also a commonly treated hernia during tummy tuck surgery.
Complications from an epigastric or umbilical hernia can occur if:
To avoid or fix possible hernia complications, hernia repair surgery is recommended for most adults with hernias because they’re unlikely to resolve on their own. If Dr Gittos finds an undiagnosed hernia during your tummy tuck, he would repair it to avoid future complications. This will, of course, be discussed with Dr Gittos before your abdominoplasty.
Surgery done to repair an umbilical or midline hernia involves the strengthening and tightening of the muscles of the abdomen similar to a tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck tones and slims your abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and strengthening your abdominal muscles. Therefore, Dr Gittos can correct an umbilical or epigastric hernia as a part of your abdominoplasty.
In some cases, the hernia is there but it’s not apparent because it’s hidden by the layers of extra fat and skin. During a tummy tuck surgery, the hernia may only become obvious after Dr Gittos removes the excess tissue surrounding it.
This is why you should choose an plastic surgeon with experience in performing both a tummy tuck and a hernia repair at the same time. Dr Gittos will push the protruding hernia back behind the abdominal wall and repair the rectus diastasis before tightening and smoothing the rest of your belly.
Umbilical and midline hernias require surgical repair to push the herniated lump back in place and strengthen the abdominal muscles.
Hernia repair can be done on its own by an open hernia surgery or laparoscopic hernia surgery. It can also be combined with a full abdominoplasty to improve both the cosmetic appearance of the abdomen and restore the functionality of the abdominal wall.
The incision for your hernia correction surgery will depend on the location of your hernia.
During an epigastric or umbilical open hernia repair, Dr Gittos will perform the following:
An open hernia surgery performed on its own takes around 30 minutes and it’s usually done under general anaesthesia – you’ll be asleep and won’t feel any pain during your hernia surgery.
Dr Gittos can also fix your split tummy muscles (rectus diastasis) as part of your full tummy tuck surgery. A combined tummy tuck and hernia repair surgery will start the same as a traditional abdominoplasty:
A hernia repair surgery combined with an abdominoplasty takes around two to two and a half hours on average and is done under general anaesthesia.
During a laparoscopic hernia repair, Your Surgeon makes several but smaller incisions near your navel that allow him to access and repair your hernia. After making the incisions:
A laparoscopic surgery done to fix your hernia is minimally invasive and leaves almost invisible scars.
An abdominal hernia could be performed by a General Surgeon. However, a plastic surgeon can offer a more reconstructive approach that can correct even complex hernia cases.
The expertise of skilled plastic surgeons, such as Dr Mark Gittos, can offer you the following benefits while repairing your hernia:
Moreover, only a plastic surgeon can perform a tummy tuck and a hernia repair at the same time. Combining an abdominoplasty with hernia repair can offer you the following advantages:
Whether done alone or as part of an abdominoplasty, a hernia repair surgery performed by a plastic surgeon can give you more aesthetically appealing cosmetic results and less visible scars.
During your consultation, Dr Mark Gittos will fully assess your condition and his team will discuss with you possible financing options for your surgery.
You might be able to get liposuction at the same time as your hernia repair surgery. Your plastic surgeon will assess the size of your hernia and the area of your abdomen that requires fat removal before making that decision.
Dr Mark Gittos is a leading Specialist Plastic Surgeon and operates a practice in Herne Bay, Auckland and in the UK. The practice focuses on both surgical and non-surgical procedures, each designed to help restore, improve or change a physical characteristic or problem. The first step in every case is to talk through your personal requirements and explore all the options, before deciding on the most effective solution.
Dr Mark Gittos offers high quality, natural-looking cosmetic surgery results and is highly experienced in Breast, Body and Face Surgery having performed over 4000 Surgeries in the last 26 years. With worldwide expertise Dr Gittos is an expert in breast, face and body surgery for men & women.
Naturally, before any treatment is begun, we will explain clearly the advantages and risk factors; so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision that is best for you. Visit the practice to find out more.
Please NOTE: Dr Gittos only performs surgery on non-smoker patients with a BMI less than 30. To check your BMI please visit the NZ Heart Foundation website. For help giving up smoking before surgery visit the Smoke Free website
Do your Research
What to Bring to your Plastic Surgeon Consultation
Book your Initial Surgery Consultation
Traveling for Surgery? – Consider post-surgery luxury recovery in a Hotel with LuxeCare
Please contact us to arrange to book a consultation with our Specialist Plastic Surgeon or to speak with our Patient Care Advisor.
Send an enquiry form today or phone 09 529 5352 during Clinic Hours