Question:
Who should repair my hernia??

I have a huge incisional hernia, and have had consults with general surgeons about the repair. I am confused as to whether or not it is best to have a plastic surgeon do the hernia and a tummy tuck or to have 2 surgeons, one for the hernia and one for the tummy tuck. I am only 8 months out and trying to hold off surgery until I am done losing weight. Any information would be appreciated.    — Linda 1. (posted on July 4, 2003)

July 4, 2003
The decision whether to have a lap or open is not always up to you. Sometimes it depends upon where you hold most of your weight. I will more than likely have to have the open because I carry a lot of my weight in the stomach AND since I had an open gallbladder surgery many years ago there is probably too much scar tissue to allow me to have the lap. However, in answer to YOUR question, I think I would have a general surgeon do the hernia rather than a plastic surgeon who mostly deals with cosmetic surgery. My WLS surgeon is also a general surgeon who will do the hernia when he does the tummy tuck. Therefore, if I have a hernia with the surgery I will be going to him to do both. Don't know if this helps your situation or not. Good luck!
   — Checker B.

July 4, 2003
My WLS surgeon did my T/T gall bladder removal and big hernia repair all at the same time. Although he is not a specialist in plastic surgery, I have seen his work and did very good from my original WLS surgery, I was confident in him to do all three. You have to do some homework to see whats best for you. Maybe you can find one surgeon to do both, and that should not be too hard to find, though may not be your orginal surgeon who did your WLS.Good luck...
   — Marie A.

July 4, 2003
I am having my huge hernia repaired and my tummy tuck done by the plastic surgeon. I wanted my WLS surgeon to do my hernia but I could not find a plastic surgeon that belongs to my WLS surgeons hospital that would even send in for insurance to pay so I have to go to a different hospital, but that is ok with me because I have checked the plastic surgeon and he is very good so I should be ok with him doing both procedures. Good luck to you. Luisa
   — Luisa H.

July 4, 2003
I'm not sure what type of insurance you have, but if you are trying to get insurance to pay for it, I would think having two surgeons (one for the repair and one for the tuck) would probably cause the tuck not to be covered. I had a tummy tuck and hernia repair done and it was done by my plastic surgeon. He was a general surgeon in the Army before becoming a plastic surgeon and he was the only one who suggested a mesh. The other two surgeons I consulted did not suggest a mesh, just was going to sew the muscles up. I've since done a little research and believe that with a hernia, mesh is a good way to go. Research thoroughly. Sometimes with a hernia, a general surgeon may be the way to go. I would just make sure that he is knowlegable in tummy tucks as some weight loss surgeons are.
   — Lisa N M.

July 4, 2003
I had nine, yes nine, incisional hernias and the surgeon who did my RNY repaired them and did my panniculectomy. My insurance WILL NOT pay for abdominoplasty, no matter what but they did agree to pay for the panniculectomy.
   — Patty_Butler

July 4, 2003
I too have a huge incisional hernia. I have decided to go with the general surgeon for the hernia repair and a plastic surgeon for the panni removal. My general surgeon recomended the plastics guy as they have done this type of procedure many times together in the past. I researches the plastic surgeon on my own to be sure - and he has a good reputation. Also my general surgeon says if I dont have the panni done at the same time, it would be a waste of time as the repaired hernia would not stay because of the weight of the extra skin hanging. My personal question is whether or not to have my arms done at the same time. Good luck to you.
   — dorothy S.