Umbilical Hernia
Umbilical Hernia before & afters
These Umbilical Hernia before and after pictures represent actual patients from Jeffrey Swail.
Umbilical Hernia Denver
Umbilical hernias are a common problem. They manifest as a bulging in the belly button area. In some cases they are fairly minor and can go unnoticed. In others they are more severe and can cause the entire belly button to stick out. They are caused by a weakness in the abdominal wall where the umbilical cord used to pass through. This allows tissue from inside of the abdomen (usually just fat) to protrude outwards. The tissue can often be pushed back in (reduced) but in some cases the hernia cannot be manually put back (it is “incarcerated”). This rarely causes problems but can occasionally be painful. It is extremely rare for tissue in an umbilical hernia to require urgent surgical treatment.
Causes of an Umbilical Hernia
Some umbilical hernias are congenital (patients are born with them) but most occur later in life. Surgery done through the belly button (laparoscopic surgery) causes some but the majority are the result of pregnancy. Normally the tissue of the abdominal wall stretches to allow room for the enlarged uterus during pregnancy. This can exacerbate the underlying weakness of the umbilicus and result in a hernia.
Umbilical Hernia Procedure
Most umbilical hernias that are fixed are repaired by general surgeons. In some cases they are repaired by plastic surgeons at the time of a tummy tuck. Dr. Swail always prefers to repair umbilical hernias himself at the time of tummy tuck in patients who have them. The results will generally be better especially if the hernia is severe and the belly button is distorted. The opportunity to get a good correction of the belly button is often lost if previous surgery has damaged the blood supply.
In some cases health insurance will pay for the correction of the umbilical hernia and this can defray some of the cost of surgery but the tummy tuck itself will not be covered.
Meet your doctor
Jeffery Swail MD, FRCS (C)
“Excellence in surgery, comfort in care, and results that stand the test of time”.
Dr. Jeffrey Swail is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, the Colorado Medical Society, and the Boulder County Medical Society.
Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, he earned his medical degree in 1989 and completed surgical training at Queen’s University and Dalhousie University.
For more than a decade, Dr. Swail has volunteered his skills on surgical mission trips, providing cleft lip and palate care to children in the Philippines through Mending Faces, where he serves as Chair of Surgical Services. He received the organization’s Humanitarian Award in 2007.
Technical Mastery Unparalleled Results…
tummy tuck with
Jeffery Swail MD, FRCS (C)
Tummy tuck surgery is a meticulous blend of art and precision — a procedure that demands both technical expertise and an artistic eye to restore balance, proportion, and a naturally contoured waistline. While abdominoplasty has become increasingly popular, achieving refined and lasting results requires an elevated understanding of anatomy, aesthetics, and patient individuality.
With over three decades of surgical experience, Dr. Jeffrey Swail approaches each tummy tuck as a uniquely tailored work of art. His focus lies not only in removing excess skin and tightening the abdominal wall, but in sculpting the waistline to complement the body’s overall harmony. Guided by a philosophy that prioritizes safety, subtlety, and natural beauty, Dr. Swail combines advanced surgical technique with thoughtful artistry to deliver results that enhance both confidence and form.
Real Patient Testimonials