#AskJJ

[@joterry123]

Years ago I had an open laparotomy for pain investigation year 1977 , I have a long scar on one side of my abdomen reaching above my belly button , they removed my appendix and nothing else was found , I went on to have three babies in 4 years and I am 63 years old with a six inch diastasis recti , and an umbilical hernia , I also had a gastric band fitted in 2006 which did not have the desired effect , I think they forgot to sew up where the camera went through because I have a hernia at the site ! It is about the size of a grapefruit , my umbilical hernia has migrated upwards and now I have a big lump from my belly button to my sternum , my question is : Can I still have corrective surgery if I might have adhesions from the other surgeries ?

[@TheStaianoClinic]

Hi Jo, yes absolutely. The surgery involved in recontouring and reshaping the abdomen is all done outside of the abdominal cavity and so your adhesions from previous surgery will have no bearing. Good luck. JJ

[@unbiasedasitcomes]

How long after the repairs can I get the tummy tuck?

[@TheStaianoClinic]

You would want to wait at least 6 months for any scarring to settle before thinking about a tummy tuck. JJ

[@nellym6689]

How soon after having an epigastric hernia repair (w/mesh) can I have a tummy tuck?

[@TheStaianoClinic]

Hello Nelly, you would want to make sure you are completely healed and the scar tissue is soft because it will need to be pulled down during the tummy tuck, so I would say at least 4 months. The main concern is where the scar is placed for the hernia repair because any scarring above the belly button could be an issue for a tummy tuck. JJ

[@shivmc4466]

Hi can a surgeon remove the mesh when having a tummy tuck I have so much pain from the mesh after hernia repair

[@TheStaianoClinic]

Yes the mesh can be uncomfortable but it would be difficult to remove and I would personally be inclined to leave the mesh and hope that the discomfort may be relieved by taking some tension off it by having the tummy tuck. You would ideally be best off asking the surgeon who put the mesh in to be involved if you really wanted it removed. JJ

[@shivmc4466]

@@TheStaianoClinic Hi thank you for your reply I really appreciate it I've had the mesh in for over 20 years.I only become aware of it when the plastic surgeon asked me about,but it explains why I have such terrible period cramps thank you for advising me that it may improve after my tummy tuck this is really great to know.

[@shivmc4466]

@@TheStaianoClinic Why does the mesh cause pain is it because of all the fat around the stomach the weight perhaps?

[@TheStaianoClinic]

@@shivmc4466 the mesh is fixed to your abdominal wall and is unforgiving, so if you have a large abdominal apron which is hanging and the mesh is scarred in to your abdominal wall, it may cause discomfort from pulling. JJ

[@shivmc4466]

@@TheStaianoClinic Hi again thank you so much for this information it's really helpful.