Will A Tummy Tuck Help In Correcting A Ventral Hernia?

Ventral hernias can only be fixed through surgery and can worsen if left untreated for too long. The tummy tuck helps to strengthen the abdominal wall, which can actually prevent hernias from recurring!

What is a ventral hernia?

Hernias mostly happen one of two ways: one through a rupture at a weak spot in the abdominal wall, and the other way is through improper healing after abdominal surgeries such as appendectomies or c-sections.

Hernias are usually visible and painful, although the degree of either can change according to the position in which you sit, stand, or lie. There can be serious consequences from allowing a hernia to go untreated, such as fever and a racing pulse, vomiting, sweating, and pain.

Reinforcing the abdominal wall

A ventral hernia is usually corrected by attaching a metal screen patch at the location of the rupture, pushing the protruding tissue back behind the abdominal wall, and the procedure is called a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. There are many ways to strengthen the abdominal wall, including exercises that will develop the muscles so that the area is less vulnerable to protrusions.

Pulling the wall taut

A tummy tuck tightens up the abdomen in different ways:

• liposuction removes excess fat under the skin
• the muscles and fascia start out loose, but after the procedure, the slack is stitched up using sutures
• the skin is pulled downwards

In addition to tightening up the muscles, the removal of fat places the layer of muscle closer to the skin, which is pulled taut, reducing slack in the overall structure of the abdomen.

Maintaining a healthy weight

There are a number of preventative measures that you could take to reduce the likelihood of developing another hernia in the future. One of the key things to avoid is stretching out the abdomen, as in the case of significant weight gain.

In addition to strengthening the abdominal area mechanically, it also helps psychologically since many patients who undergo the procedure pair the tummy tuck with a change in the amount of exercise, eating habits, and lifestyle choices. The tummy tuck helps people stay motivated in keeping the weight off.

A tummy tuck isn’t the same as the procedure used to patch up a ventral hernia, but it’s certainly helpful when it comes to long-term prevention and providing greater support for the abdominal region. For more information, talk to our team today!