The Hernia Repair and Tummy Tuck is a combined surgical technique for fixing a hernia and tightening saggy abdomen skin. Insurance companies may foot the bill for a hernia repair if it’s deemed a “routine” procedure. An incision will be made in the patient’s abdominal wall, and mesh will be used to repair the fascial tear. If they feel it’s necessary, they can also remove any extra fat or skin from your stomach. A tummy tuck can take anywhere from two to five hours to complete, depending on how much surgery needs to be done on your abdomen, and is usually performed as an outpatient treatment under general anaesthetic. If you’re self-conscious about your lower abdomen and waistline, a stomach tuck can assist by removing extra skin and tightening underlying muscles.
Because they don’t directly compete with one another for blood flow in the body during recovery, patients who get both a hernia repair and a tummy tuck at the same time typically experience superior cosmetic and functional outcomes than those who undergo either treatment alone.
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on Hernia repair and tummy tuck covered by insurance, hernia and tummy tuck surgery recovery time, tummy tuck with hernia repair cost and How Is a Tummy Tuck Considered a Medical Procedure?
Hernia Repair And Tummy Tuck Covered By Insurance
As with any medical procedure, the question of cost is usually high on the list of concerns. Does insurance cover this? Well, the good news is when it comes to an Umbilical Hernia Repair, insurance will usually deem this a medically necessary procedure. If performed in conjunction with a Tummy Tuck, that portion will have to be paid for out of pocket, since it is considered an aesthetic or cosmetic procedure.
While a Tummy Tuck aims to remove excess skin and reattach the abdominal muscles to the abdominal wall, a hernia repair often involves the first half of a Tummy Tuck procedure where the muscles are pulled together, which it is commonly performed with a Tummy Tuck.
Sometimes you may need to find a general surgeon as well as a plastic surgeon to perform both procedures at once. It is also very important that you submit exactly what is being done to your insurance company to be sure of what they will and will not cover beforehand.
Sometimes your surgeon may not advise you to receive both procedures at the same time. There is a greater risk for impaired blood supply to the umbilical stalk or the hernia may not be in the best place to also perform an abdominoplasty.
As with any surgical procedure, it is important that you know the costs and what is and isn’t covered by your insurance provider. Dr. Hovsepian will do his best to help you along this process. He will also be sure to go over any possible risks and side effects of the procedure to make sure you are confident and comfortable with your decision to undergo plastic surgery.
Hernia And Tummy Tuck Surgery Recovery Time
There are many reasons a person may choose to have a tummy tuck procedure, or abdominoplasty. Those who may consider having a tummy tuck include:
- women who have loose skin or abdominal sagging after pregnancy
- people who have excess skin after weight loss
- individuals with a protruding abdomen despite losing weight
Regardless of the reason, a person needs to follow all postsurgical instructions to avoid infection or other complications.
In this article, we provide tips for recovery from a tummy tuck. We also examine how long recovery takes and what to expect following a tummy tuck procedure.
How long does recovery take?
Typically, a person can expect to feel themselves again around 8 weeks after surgery.
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), tummy tucks are an outpatient procedure for most individuals, meaning they can go home the same day.
Recovery time from a tummy tuck procedure will vary, depending on factors such as:
- the type of tummy tuck
- the age of the recipient
- postsurgical care
- general health of the person
People should discuss their recovery timeline with their surgeon who can give an estimate that they will base on the individual’s situation.
Stages of recovery
A person should discuss recovery time before the procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a person should ask their surgeon:
- how to bathe after the procedure
- when to remove their bandages
- when to return to normal activities
- when to return for follow-up care
- what drugs they must take after the procedure
Asking these questions can help a person prepare and take the right steps for the smoothest recovery possible.
Recovery timeline
Immediately following the procedure, a person can expect to go to a recovery room. A healthcare professional will monitor them and check the incision.
During recovery in the hospital, they will receive instructions on:
- recovery time
- how to care for the incision
- when to expect to resume normal activity
When a person is free to leave the hospital, they will need someone there to take them home. Doctors do not recommend they drive themselves home after surgery.
There may be drainage tubes that need emptying, and the individual will have to record the amount of fluid draining from their wound each day.
At home, a person should make sure they have someone to help them for the first few days, as their mobility will be limited. They may experience tightness around their tummy and only be able to walk hunched over for a week or two.
Initially, they can expect the incision to feel sore. They will likely need to lie in bed at an angle and may also have trouble with:
- standing
- lifting objects
- general movement
Many people take up to a month off work, particularly if their occupation is physically demanding.
After a tummy tuck, an individual may need help caring for young children for several weeks to months. They should also avoid exercise for the first several weeks until a doctor gives them the all-clear.
However, a person can typically return to activities, such as driving, within 1 to 2 weeks and gradually do more everyday tasks as time passes.
Finally, a tummy tuck scar will likely feel sore or tight for several weeks to months following surgery. The visibility of the scar will slowly fade.
Factors affecting recovery time
Recovery time after a tummy tuck can vary. Some common factors that impact this include:
- type of tummy tuck
- age
- postsurgery care
- general health
The types of tummy tuck include:
- Mini tummy tuck. This procedure has the shortest recovery time and minimal scarring.
- Classic or full tummy tuck. The scar will stretch from hip to hip, and recovery will take longer, but a person should be able to hide the scar under their bathing suit.
- Extended tummy tuck. This tummy tuck creates the largest scar. The scar may be visible under bathing suits and takes the longest time to heal.
It can be helpful to take steps to avoid constipation after surgery, as some pain medications can slow down the bowels. Straining to have a bowel movement will cause discomfort.
Tips for recovery
During recovery from a tummy tuck, people need plenty of rest and must follow all of their doctor’s recovery instructions.
They will need to carry out daily maintenance of their incision and drainage tubes. Typically, daily maintenance includes:
- keeping the incision site clean and dry
- changing the bandage daily
- taking any prescribed antibiotics
- applying topical creams at the incision site
A person will likely have a supportive wrap, binder, or compression garment for their abdomen to prevent swelling and reduce discomfort.
Following a tummy tuck, they should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for at least 3 months. Tobacco and alcohol can negatively affect healing.
Also, they should:
- avoid lifting heavy objects, including small children
- temporarily stop exercising until told otherwise
- take time off from physically demanding work
Side effects of surgery
After surgery, a person may have limited mobility and experience some pain. Typically, the surgeon will prescribe pain relief medication.
The incision will also typically feel tight, causing a pulling sensation on standing or moving.
Finally, a person will find they can no longer do some of their normal activities immediately following the procedure. However, they can return to activities slowly as they start to recover.
When can you resume certain activities?
How soon a person can return to their normal activities will vary.
The ABCS suggest the following guidelines:
- up to 2 to 3 weeks for tasks such as cooking, driving, and shopping
- around 2 to 4 weeks to return to work
However, it is not uncommon to take up to 2 months before a person can return to their normal activities.
Summary
Full recovery from a tummy tuck — also called an abdominoplasty — can take several months. During recovery, a person should follow all postsurgical instructions and advice, including:
- avoiding lifting anything heavy
- keeping the incision clean
- taking time to return to normal activities
They should talk to their surgeon before the procedure about what to expect in their individual case.
How Is a Tummy Tuck Considered a Medical Procedure?
There are several ways a tummy tuck could be considered a medical procedure. However, it is important to note that it’s usually full tummy tucks that are considered a medical necessity rather than mini tummy tucks. Among the potential medical benefits of a full tummy tuck are facilitated weight loss, improvement of stress urinary incontinence, repair for ventral hernias, and less back pain.
Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
Your health insurance provider may come to the conclusion that your tummy tuck is medically necessary if you have undergone a bariatric procedure and you have a significant amount of excess skin. This excess skin can get in the way of your legs while you are exercising, cause you pain, and prevent you from losing more weight or maintaining your current weight.
Since bariatric procedures are usually only for individuals who are suffering from a weight-related illness, there’s a good chance your health insurance provider will want you to be as successful as possible on your weight loss journey. If you gain the weight back, you will get sick again and lose your quality of life.
Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Stress urinary incontinence is a type of medical condition common in women who have given vaginal birth. It is caused by a weak pelvic floor and characterized by the leakage of urine when the bladder is “stressed.” Examples of activities that can stress your bladder include coughing, sneezing, running, jumping, and laughing.
During a full tummy tuck, your pelvic region can be restructured to strengthen the pelvic floor and better support your bladder. As a result, you will find that your stress urinary incontinence-related accidents do not reoccur unless you tear your muscles during childbirth in the future or suffer some other sort of trauma to your pelvic region.
Back Pain Treatment
There are types of back pain and many potential causes of back pain. One type of back pain is muscular back pain, and one potential cause of this type of back pain is weak muscles. Your lower back muscles and the muscles supporting your spine may become weak due to chronic poor posture or a traumatic injury, such as a motor vehicle accident.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to maintain proper posture when your back hurts. Weak muscles may or may not start due to poor posture, but poor posture definitely perpetuates the painful cycle. Undergoing a tummy tuck to tighten your loose abdominal muscles may be your only option to ease back pain and improve posture.
Ventral Hernia Correction
Ventral hernias are another condition that often occurs due to childbirth. This condition is characterized by one of your intestines penetrating the wall of your stomach. If you don’t have this corrected during your tummy tuck, you will need to undergo a different medical procedure and pay for anesthesia and all sorts of fees a second time.
How Else Can I Sculpt My Ideal Body?
At The Institute of Aesthetic Surgery, we offer several body contouring procedures and treatments. To discover the perfect combination of aesthetic procedures and treatments, we welcome you to come in for a complimentary consultation. This provides us with an opportunity to examine the physical structure of your body and skin.
You have the opportunity to provide us with pictures of the look you want. Then, we can discuss together what your expectations are. Often, clients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen are also concerned about their overall proportions. Some feel their chest is too large. Others feel their hips are disproportionately large.