Tummy tuck surgeon Aldo Guerra, MD, FACS was recently recognized as “Best Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon” in the Arizona Foothills Best of Our Valley 2026 awards. He regularly performs a tummy tuck in Scottsdale with hernia repair surgery, and his excellent outcomes start with proper patient education. View tummy tuck before and after photos.
Learn more about Dr. Aldo Guerra and call (480) 568-2523 or schedule your personalized consultation to see if a combined tummy tuck and hernia repair is right for you.
What is an Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia is a bulge near the belly button (umbilicus) where abdominal tissue, fat, or intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. While it’s common in infants, it also affects adults. Most cases are painless and close on their own by age 5, but adult umbilical hernias may need surgery to prevent life-threatening complications, including strangulation (blood supply cut off) and incarceration (getting stuck).
Among adult women, pregnancy is a common cause. The abdominal wall stretches to accommodate a growing baby, and that pressure can create or worsen weak spots. Multiple pregnancies further increase the risk.
Other factors include:
- Obesity
- Heavy lifting
- Chronic coughing
- Straining during bowel movements
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
- Previous abdominal surgeries
These risk factors weaken the abdominal wall, until tissue begins to protrude. The hernia may develop suddenly, or it may form gradually as the muscle tissue loses strength and elasticity.
Why Combine Hernia Repair with Abdominoplasty in Scottsdale?
Addressing both concerns in one surgery makes practical and medical sense. Here’s why:
- You Avoid Two Separate Recoveries
Recovering from abdominal surgery takes time. When you combine procedures, you’ll undergo anesthesia, surgery, and healing only once, minimizing disruption to your work, family, and daily routines, and consolidating postoperative discomfort into a single period.
- Your Plastic Surgeon Already Has Access to Repair the Hernia
The incision made for your tummy tuck also grants access to the hernia. From there, your doctor can push the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and close the weakened muscle opening with stitches.
- Muscle Repair Strengthens the Entire Core
Tummy tucks typically include repairing diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal muscles that many women develop during pregnancy. The procedure involves stitching the rectus abdominis muscles back together along the midline, which results in a firmer, flatter abdomen.
When hernia repair happens during the same surgery, your surgeon addresses the opening in the abdominal wall while tightening the separated muscles. The combined repair strengthens your core and lowers the risk of future hernias or muscle separation.
- The Aesthetic Results Are Better
An umbilical hernia can compromise the smooth, flat abdomen you want from your tummy tuck. If you allow your surgeon to repair the hernia during the same procedure, they can create a clean, even contour from top to bottom. Your belly button will be repositioned, and with the hernia repaired, it will sit flat against your abdomen without any protrusion.
- Insurance May Cover Part of the Cost
Hernia repair is a medical necessity that some insurance plans cover. When you combine the procedure with abdominoplasty, your insurance might pay for the hernia-related portion of the surgery, which can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Verify your coverage and whether the practice accepts insurance before scheduling surgery. Please note that Guerra Plastic Surgery Center does not accept insurance since 100% of our cases are cosmetic and we are not on any insurance plans.
How Do Surgeons Perform Combined Tummy Tuck and Hernia Repair?
At Guerra Plastic Surgery Center, the procedure happens under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. The procedure takes three to four hours to complete, depending on your anatomy and the complexity of both the hernia and the abdominoplasty.
Tummy tuck before and after photos with hernia repair, actual patient.
See more transformations like this! Explore our full gallery of tummy tuck before-and-after results today.
Step 1: Making the Incision
Your surgeon begins by making a horizontal incision low on your abdomen, typically from hip to hip. The location allows the scar to hide beneath underwear and swimwear. Your surgeon then separates the skin and fat from the underlying abdominal wall, working up toward your ribcage.
Step 2: Repairing the Hernia
With the abdominal wall exposed, your surgeon locates the hernia. They will push the herniated tissue back into place, then seal the opening in the muscle with permanent sutures. Some cases require surgical mesh to reinforce the repair.
Step 3: Tightening the Abdominal Muscles
Next is muscle repair. Your surgeon stitches the separated rectus abdominis muscles together along the midline, creating a tighter, more defined waistline. This step addresses the hernia and any diastasis recti.
Step 4: Removing Excess Skin and Repositioning the Belly Button
After completing the internal repairs, your surgeon removes excess skin and fat, pulls the remaining skin taut, and creates a new opening for your belly button.
Related: The Art of Belly Button Aesthetics in Tummy Tuck Surgery
Step 5: Closing the Incisions
Finally, your surgeon closes the incisions, in layers, using dissolvable sutures. Layered closure techniques promote wound healing, minimize scarring, and obliterate dead space to prevent infection.
In addition, surgical drains placed beneath the skin prevent fluid accumulation during the initial healing phase. Your surgeon will remove these small tubes during a follow-up appointment, typically within one to two weeks after surgery.
Take the Next Step Toward a Stronger, Flatter Abdomen
Combining a tummy tuck with umbilical hernia repair lets you address both medical and cosmetic concerns in one surgery. You’ll go under the knife once, get beautiful results, and enjoy a stronger, more stable core.
Guerra Plastic Surgery Center in Scottsdale, AZ offers one free consultation for new qualified patients. During your visit, you’ll discuss your goals, learn about current promotions on popular procedures like abdominoplasty and mommy makeover packages, and receive a personalized surgical plan. To schedule your consultation, call (480) 568-2523 or complete the online form.
