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Is it Possible to do an Endosocpic Abdominoplasty with a Hernia Repair of my Belly Button?
An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) consists of multiple components designed to correct cosmetic concerns. Part of the operation involves removing skin and fat above the abdominal wall muscles. Another part of the operation involves tightening the abdominal wall muscles (plicating). You can have an endoscopic (think small incisions and the surgery performed using cameras under your skin) abdominal wall plication and possibly a hernia repair, but you cannot remove the skin and fat this way.
Clinical Context
The belly button is a natural weak spot in the abdominal wall, which is why small hernias often form there. Endoscopic repair uses tiny incisions and camera-guided tools to fix the muscle layer and hernia without a large scar. Loose skin and fat sit above the muscle, though, and have to be removed directly with a scalpel — there's no way to take out tissue through a scope. That's why many patients pair endoscopic muscle repair with a standard tummy tuck for the skin.
