An umbilical hernia repair is a surgical procedure performed to fix a weakness in the abdominal wall or to close an opening near the umbilicus (navel) that has allowed abdominal contents to protrude. The abdominal contents may or may not be contained within a membrane or sac. The medical name for a hernia repair is herniorraphy.
Umbilical hernias are usually repaired either to relieve discomfort or to prevent complications. It is not always necessary to fix an umbilical hernia. If the person is not in pain, the hernia is often not repaired. Complications may develop if pressure inside the abdomen resulting from daily activity pushes the abdominal contents further through the opening. They may then become twisted or strangulated. Strangulation is a condition in which the circulation to a section of the intestine (or other part of the body) is cut off by compression or constriction; it can cause extreme pain. If the strangulation persists, the tissue can die from lack of blood supply and lead to an infection.
An umbilical hernia can occur in both men and women, and can occur at any age, although it is often present at birth. Umbilical hernias are found in about 20% of newborns, especially in premature infants. Umbilical hernias are more common in male than in female infants; with regard to race, they are eight times more common in African Americans than in Caucasians or Hispanics. While umbilical hernia is not a genetically determined condition, it tends to run in families. In the adult population, umbilical hernias are more common in overweight persons with weak abdominal muscles, and in women who are either pregnant or have borne many children. People with liver disease or fluid in the abdominal cavity are also at higher risk of developing an umbilical hernia.
Repair of an abdominal hernia involves a cut, or incision, in the umbilical area. Most herniorrhaphies take about two hours to complete. After the patient has been given a sedative, the anesthesiologist will administer a local, spinal, or general anesthetic. The type of anesthesia used depends on the patient's age, general health, and complexity of the procedure. The incision is usually made underneath the belly button. The herniated tissues are isolated and pushed back inside the abdominal cavity. A hernia repair may be done using traditional open surgery or with a laparoscope. A laparoscopic procedure is performed through a few very small incisions. The hole in the abdominal wall may be closed with sutures, or by the use of a fine sterile surgical mesh. The mesh provides additional strength. Some surgeons may choose to use the mesh when repairing a larger hernia. A hernia repair done with a mesh insert is called a tension-free procedure because the surgeon does not have to put tension on the layer of muscle tissue in order to bring the edges of the hole together.
In children, umbilical hernias are often diagnosed at birth, usually when the doctor feels a lump in the area around the belly button. The hernia may also be diagnosed
Umbilical hernias in adults occur more often in pregnant women and obese persons with weak stomach muscles. They may develop gradually without producing any discomfort, but the patient may see a bulge in the abdomen while bathing or getting dressed. Other patients consult their doctor because they have felt the tissues in the abdomen suddenly give way when they are having a bowel movement. In an office examination, the patient may be asked to lie down, lift the head, and cough. This action increases pressure inside the abdomen and causes the hernia to bulge outward.
A hernia that has become incarcerated or strangulated is a medical emergency. Its symptoms include:
When a hernia is present at birth, some surgeons may opt for a "wait and see" approach, as umbilical hernias in children often close by themselves with time. If the hernia has not closed by the time the child is three or four years old, then surgery is usually considered. If the hernia is very large, surgery may be recommended.
Repair of an umbilical hernia in an adult is usually considered elective surgery . The patient's surgeon may recommend the procedure, however, on the grounds that hernias in adults do not close by themselves and tend to grow larger over time.
Adults scheduled for a herniorraphy are given standard blood tests and a urinalysis . They should not eat breakfast on the morning of the procedure, and they should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that they can easily pull on after the surgery without straining their abdomen.
Aftercare will depend in part on the invasiveness of the surgery, whether laparoscopic or open; the type of anesthesia; the patient's age; and his or her general medical condition. Immediately after the procedure, the person will be taken to the recovery area of the surgical center, where nurses will monitor the patient for signs of excessive bleeding, infection, uncontrolled pain, or shock. Hernia repairs are usually performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the patient can expect to go home within a few hours of the surgery. Adult patients, however, should arrange to have a friend or relative drive them home. If possible, someone should stay with them for the first night.
The nurses will provide the patient with instructions on incision care . The specific instructions will depend on the type of surgery and the way in which the incision was closed. Sometimes a see-through dressing is placed on the wound that the patient can remove about three days after the procedure. It may be necessary to keep the dressing dry until some healing has taken place. Very small incisions may be closed with Steri-strips rather than sutures.
There are surgical and anesthesia-related risks with all surgical procedures. The primary surgical risks include bleeding and infection. Anesthesia-related risks include reactions to the specific anesthetic agents that are used; interactions with over-the-counter and herbal preparations; and respiratory problems. The greatest risk associated with umbilical hernia is missing the diagnosis. Additional risks include the formation of scar tissue and recurrence of the hernia.
Umbilical hernia repair is usually considered an uncomplicated procedure with a relatively short recovery period. A study reported in the December 2002 issue of the American Journal of Surgery found that patients who had laparoscopic surgery with the use of a surgical mesh had fewer complications and reoccurrences of a hernia than those with the traditional open surgery. However, laparoscopic surgery took somewhat longer to perform, possibly because the laparoscopic approach is often used for larger repairs.
In general, there are few complications with hernia repair in children. The most serious complication is surgical injury to the bladder or intestine; fortunately, this complication is very rare—about one in 1000 patients. The recurrence rate is between 1% and 5%; recurrence is more likely in patients with very large hernias. The rate of infection is less than 1%. In the adult population, a November 2001 study reported in the American Journal of Surgery found a 5% mortality in elderly patients undergoing emergency hernia repairs.
There are no medical or surgical alternatives to an umbilical hernia repair other than watchful waiting. Since umbilical hernias present at birth often close on their own, intervention can often be delayed until the child is several years old. There is some risk that the hernia will enlarge, however, which increases the risk of incarceration or strangulation.
"Congenital Anomalies: Gastrointestinal Defects." Section 19, Chapter 261 in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy , edited by Mark H. Beers, MD, and Robert Berkow, MD. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999.
Delvin, David. Coping with a Hernia . London, UK: Sheldon Press, 1998.
Manthey, David, MD. "Hernias." eMedicine , June 22, 2001 [June 6, 2003]. http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic251.htm .
Wright, B.E., et al. "Is Laparoscopic Umbilical Hernia Repair with Mesh a Reasonable Alternative to Conventional Repair?" American Journal of Surgery 184 (December 2002): 505-508.
American Academy of Family Physicians. 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211-2672. (913) 906-6000. http://www.aafp.org . E-mail: fp@aafp.org
American Academy of Pediatrics. 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098. (847) 434-4000; FAX: (847) 434-8000. http://www.aap.org . E-mail: kidsdoc @aap.org
American College of Surgeons. 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611-3231. (312) 202-5000; FAX: (312) 202-5001. http://www.facs.org .
American College of Surgeons. About Hernia Repair . http://www.facs.org/public_info/operation/hernrep.pdf .
Esther Csapo Rastegari, R.N., B.S.N., Ed.M.
This procedure is performed by a general surgeon or a pediatric surgeon. It is usually performed on an outpatient, or ambulatory, basis in a hospital. After a few hours of recovery in the surgical center, the patient is able to return home.
Although I was given tablets to take over the first three days, there has been no need to take anything. If I had known the operation was going to be less traumatic than a trip to the dentist, I would have taken the plunge years ago. By the way I live in Spain but I don't think that has anything to do with it; I have my faith in all doctors.
Is this something that needs emergency care? I have an appointment for a week from now or should I call the doctor baack for an earlier time.
Can an umbilial hernia be incarcerated if there is no pain?
How can you tell if there is incarceration or strangulation? Thanks
Sincerely, Sherry
Lately, the hernia has been causing abdomen pain. I also have noticed that there is a small amount of blood and puss in the belly button area. Is it normal for this type of hernia to have this occur? It is not like it is oozing out of the belly button, but it is there when I have checked with a tissue or cotton swab. I was told to be aware for pain as a sign of strangulation, however I do not want to jump the gun and have surgery if it won't hold until I lose more weight. I have lost 50 lbs but have a lot to go.
I'm not aware if anyone in my extended family has umbilical hernia although my husband and I and my other four children do not have this experience. So, I'm not sure if my baby has it because of her genes. I remember an incident when my baby was just a few days old, and when her umbilical cord clip was still in tact, she started crying very loudly like she was in a lot of pain. I later discovered that her umbilical cord was torn away, leaving a wound on her belly button. Although she wasn't bleeding badly, it looked painful and red. The doctor who saw this wound assured me that it would heal. I'm now wondering if her herniated belly button was caused by this unfortunate accident.
My belly button doesn't feel like a normal belly button. When i put my finger in the belly button whole it feels very hard and still can't really put my finger in there. is that normal?
I'm hopeing this is the cause of my hernia?
To prepare for any surgery or any stay in the hospital, a very good probiotic should be taken. I have been taking them daily for 2 yrs, but because of surgery, I started taking a very strong probiotic about 2 weeks prior and will continue with the stronger dose for another 6 weeks, then go back to my normal probiotic that I was on previously.
Ask your surgeon questions before surgery. Get the name of a surgeon from people you know who have had any kind of surgery and see that one if you are not comfortable with the one you have. They work for you, you dont work for them. In wellness to all.
Any suggestions?
major problems so far. I am now 62. I am diabetic. Do you suggest I need to undergo
surgery. The sonography shows free movement.
I am 50 and obese, and have negative vacation time at work due to neck surgery this past March...so I decided to postpone the surgery to a time when I can afford to take some time off work. It is considered ELECTIVE surgery unless the hernia has become strangulated (you won't be able to push the tissues back through the hole, and the area is red and painful, etc). Then it becomes EMERGENCY surgery.
There is no way to fix it other than surgery unless you're an infant (in which case it should close on its own).
Hope that helps!
often becomes very itchy. I feel pain when I am" full", so I have to stop eating befor I am satisfied. Is that common practice? What opportunities might I consider?
I’m a 28 year old mother of two. While I was in the hospital recovering from having my second child I experienced extreme discomfort when I would get up to use the restroom. It felt like my insides were falling out. I would have excruciating pain when I coughed (I had a cold at the time). The nurse gave me a binder to help with the discomfort. I thought this was just a part of recovering from childbirth, but after almost two months of still wearing the binder I knew something was wrong. When I took the binder off while dressing it felt like a tugging sensation in my abdominal area, and my stomach sagged and looked baggy and wrinkly. I also had pain when passing a bowel movement. I decided to ask my OBGYN about it when I swore I could see my intestines bulging through my skin when I laid back after eating.
My OBGYN was able to press his hand through my stomach to feel my aortic valve and spine. He told me I had the largest hernia he’d ever seen and immediately recommended a surgeon for repair. I got several opinions and all of them were disturbing.
The OBGYN said…. The hernia will not repair on its own, and looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about exercises to strengthen the abdominal walls in place of surgery. Exercising would only increase the size of the hernia. Not fixing the hernia immediately would mean being at risk for injury if I suffer a blow to the abdominal area.
The recommended surgeon said: He’d never seen, much less operated on a hernia so large (he actually looked shocked when he measured my hernia). And said I had a 50/50 chance of the hernia re-occurring if I had another child.
My PCP said: That because the hernia was so large it wasn’t something I should worry about getting fixed immediately. Complications arise when the size of the hernia is small and strangulation occurs… in his words, “you could just wear a girdle until you decide to get it fixedâ€â€¦ and when my bowel’s sag out I could just “push them back in and keep movin’â€â€¦ His words disturbed me most of all….I shouldn’t have to “tuck†any part of me in! I thought he was joking, but he didn’t laugh…
The urgent care physician said… My main concern is strangulation. He ticked off all the warning signs (bloody stool, extreme pain, vomiting…) and said the most logical thing. Though I’m not feeling pain, there’s still a risk. My body’s not functioning normally. Why should I have to live my life not functioning normally when I have a chance to live better?
The surgeon I chose said… there’s a chance of reoccurrence if I do have another child, much lower than 50/50, but that’s something I’d have to decide for myself. I asked about my sagging skin and he said he’d only cut as much as necessary to fix the hernia. He’s not a plastic surgeon, so he wasn’t going to make my tummy look like a model’s. Exercise should fix it. (see next post for part 2)
The surgeon used mesh and staples to close the surgical wound. He cut from the top of my pelvic bone to my belly button and I believe he actually removed my real belly button and reconstructed another one using some other part of my stomach (my new belly button is larger and higher than my old one, and the sensation it has doesn’t feel the same…if that makes sense). I think he did a shoddy job stapling me because there were parts where the skin didn’t properly line up (I could see the under layer of my epidermis). I was worried because a couple of the staples fell out a couple of days after the surgery and the state of the cut, but the surgeon was nonchalant about it.
It’s been a year and a few months since the surgery and my stomach still looks pouchy (I think he didn’t take enough skin), and I have an obvious scar that kind of folds in and the extra skin bulges out on either side (think of the way a peach looks), and it’s not going down with exercise! My concern is if the surgeon did such a horrible job on the outside, what did he do on the inside? My blessing is that I’m no longer in pain. I feel “normal†despite my looks. My suggestions to those with hernias are as follows:
1. Get it fixed sooner rather than later. I probably had a small hernia after my first child (I believe the pain I felt with both pregnancies was my hernia enlarging). My second pregnancy made it massive. If you wait, over time it will get larger.
2. Loose as much weight as possible; STAY FIT and DON’T OVEREAT. If you are overweight or over eat, that pressure will only push on your hernia and make it worse and you’ll be in for complications
3. Be sure to find a GOOD surgeon. Check for accreditations, and possibly go to a surgeon at a university hospital. Universities are into the latest and greatest and have an interest in doing a good job besides being in it for the money. They want prestige. Make sure they have lots of experience with hernia surgeries.
4. Know your rights. After my surgery, they insisted I should go home to recover immediately after I woke up (I couldn’t even walk). After reading medical articles online, the extent of my surgery should have called for at least an overnight stay.
5. Tell your surgeon the type of belly button you want. I had always been an innie my entire life up until my second pregnancy. My second pregnancy pushed so much it gave me a permanent outie. I didn’t tell the surgeon, so he assumed I was always an outie and reconstructed a poor excuse for an outie belly button!
Dan... I just read your post and for the 1st time, breathed a breath of relief and am now going to look further in to getting this done. Thanks for you post. :)
I have a lot of disconfort, bloating and pain hurts to cough, I have been constipated, my belly button is so hard and uncomfortable I just want it sorted as I cannot do all my exercise and fast walking is getting boring and its ruining my plans.
PS. When I went to the doctor, she basically told me an umbilical hernia is just an outtie belly button and it's not a big deal and then referred me to a surgeon.. however after reading everyones comments on here, I have become pretty worried.
PS. When I went to the doctor, she basically told me an umbilical hernia is just an outtie belly button and it's not a big deal and then referred me to a surgeon.. however after reading everyones comments on here, I have become pretty worried.
And yes I am horrified of needles myself. So please keep me posted on the outcome of your surgery and be 100% honest about it.
I hope the recovery time will be short, as my little girl is starting to walk and she just wont sit still.
Good luck to all who are due to be operated on.
I will keep you posted how my recovery goes
Alan
I HAVE NOW BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH UMBILICAL HERNIA AND ADVISED TO HAVE IT SURGICALLY REPAIRED. IF i
HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY laparoscopic surgery, FOR WHAT PERIOD OF TIME WILL I BE OUT OF ACTION TO
PLAY GOLF. WHAT WOULD OR COULD HAPPEN IF I DO NOT HAVE THE HERNIA REPAIRED
I have more pain control with ibuprophen than with the 5/325 percocet, but find that I have a very large belly afterwards ( I look pregnant again) and ice packs seem to help with the discomfort. After reading a few other comments on here, I think I will refrain from any pain meds starting tomorrow morning, as I have had digestive issues and eating prunes, raisins, fiber cereals have not assisted at all with producing bowel movements. At what point should I be concerned that I eat and produce nothing. No urges to try o even say I'm constipated and cannot, since the need to even try has not presented itself as of yet.
Was anyone else placed on lifting restrictions? I was told no more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks, yet the Dr said I can lift my daughter on a limited basis, and the nurses said absolutely not. (She weighs 22 lbs ) ...who do I listen to? Lol
I've also been staying at my mothers since surgery to have help with my. daughter, but I firmly believe id get more rest at home! (I'm a single parent )
What should I do about this now .I am confused the most important thing is that I always have strong shit, always finding difficult to toilet ,due to my toilet is very strong so when every and going for toilet ,the pain will come out big at my private part.
my cousin is ayurvedic doctor and she recommended me aanttr vridhivatika and the waiste belt..n asked me to avoid constipation at any cost.i dnt know about tommorow.but for today,i had my ultra sound..its size is less than wat it was earlier.so friends.u can also try ayurveda.
I was only prescribed Ibuprofen (800mg) and it seems to be doing the trick. From what I have read above, it sounds like the difference in a lot of people's experience is the surgeon and hospital they were treated at. I guess I was lucky to have a great surgeon who was rated one of the best in the country for the procedures for several years in a row. He was able to do a smaller incision than he anticipated and no mesh was required!
Maybe I just lucked out, but I thought maybe I could provide some relief to those who are as worried about the procedure as I was from reading all of these comments. PLEASE research your surgeon and the facility he/she works in before getting any operation done!!
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
ut there tell me what to do next. SIGNED big overweight looks like i am nine months pregnant.
Thank You
Ed Werner
Getting out of bed today I felt like I tore my side open. The pain was so horrible I fell back into the bed and nearly lost consciousness, for the next 4 hours I could not even move, my body totally shut down. Once I got feeling and sensation back and felt I could move I called the emergency number they gave me for my surgeon and I got an answering machine. I left a message detailing what happened. 30 minutes later an office clerk calls me back and tells me they called me in Vicodin to my pharmacy. No sorry you are hurting, no hope you feel better, no inquiry about how I am feeling, nothing but we called in Vicodin and goodbye.
Wife leaves work to get my pills, 10 Vicodin.. 10 to get me through what their own PA said would be a month of this torture.
Let me tell a if I had it to over again, I would live with the hernia, and the slight discomfort it was causing.
I can identify with the excruciating pain and not being able to take care of myself...it is the most humiliating surgery I've ever had and I've had several...everything from a total Hysterectomy to a Gall Bladder and Disc Removal in my lower back...NONE of these other surgeries can even begin to compare with the pain and weakness I've had with this!!! Thank God my Husband is retired and has been with me every step of the way...he deserves such accolades for waiting on me hand and foot. The Dr never informed me of the stool softener I needed to start immediately...and after four days of not having a B/M we started with stool softeners, laxatives, and even suppositories it took five days before we had any movement. I was so nauseated for the first four days I don't think I ate enough to keep a bird alive...the pain meds didn't touch the pain...I can't sleep more than two hours at a time and I can't sleep on my side only on my back. I'm on day 7 today...and starting to feel a bit more like myself today finally. I pray that anyone who is thinking of having this surgery really does a lot of research before they make the final decision. Good luck to all of us who are still suffering...take care.
I'd finally gathered my courage and decided to go through with the surgery myself. Had mine repaired 11 days ago via incision, under general anesthesia, using a mesh. When I woke up in the recovery room, the well-intentioned nurses only wanted to give me Percocet, which I refused. So, they offered me a low-dose of another narcotic, which made me fall asleep and stop breathing. That wasn't fun for them! Everyone was happy once it wore off and I haven't taken even a simple Tylenol after that. I was in pain, but it was tolerable as long as I didn't make any jerky movements. Going to the bathroom was not a problem, just took a little longer, but I didn't need any stool softeners.
The doctor told me that since I'm fairly young, fit and healthy, recovery and bouncing back to normal for me should not be a problem. I have to say that every day I notice progress. My movements are freer, less painful and uncomfortable, the stomach, that first looked like I swallowed a melon right after the surgery, has almost completely deflated, the hernia no longer protrudes through the belly button, and I can move almost as quickly as I did before. My biggest concern was returning to my regular exercise routine and to practicing yoga, which I am still planning (hoping) to do! Meanwhile, the only minor complaints I have is very slight discomfort in the navel area while lying down or sitting, and some swelling/hardened tissue above the navel, also more difficulty breathing, which is an ongoing problem for me :)
As of now, 11 days after my surgery, I am able to do light cleaning, cooking, and I started driving on the 6th day after my surgery - which was quite uncomfortable, but I had no choice.
I'm staying positive and hoping for the best, as I wish each and everyone who has undergone or will be undergoing the same procedure. It isn't a "minor" surgery, as many like to refer to it. It's pretty painful and takes away your independence entirely in the first week of recovery! Take care of yourselves, and don't try to push yourselves to the limit in this case, healing is very important. Also, losing weight will help tremendously, as less fat tissue on the stomach will not push the navel out as much.
Sending love and well-being wishes to all!
my hernia is getting bigger and you can feel it when im standing up and when make a stomach muscle its hard as a rock! i have no pain there but if i let it go for a while and it gets strangulated then im in deep shit! so better to get this done when u have insurance and have a chance!
JUST GET IT DONE!
My advice for anyone getting the surgery is to insist on being prescribed antibiotics post op even for just precaution. Take those for at least a month religiously. If you see any pussing start the hydrogen peroxide with laying on your back for about an hour and then on your stomach to allow it to drain before putting the gauze on. It helps just laying on towel on your bed. After a week of puss you need to see your surgeon before it gets too deep.
More than that, but about a 7 for the first two days, but slowly subsiding. From my mastectomy surgery ten years ago, where there was no pain after the day of the surgery, through several other surgeries, all the way to full knee replacement in which the pain was very bad, for a very long time , I would rate this as something quite bearable and necessary.
Be sure you realize that taking pain pills (which I took with this surgery and the knee replacement), can cause constipation, so obey the doctor's orders regarding medications for this, or you will feel very miserable. Also realize some people have a higher threshold of pain than others so don't feel pressured by others if you need them. Like my doctor told me, it is the quality of life that is important... for the moment. And as octogenarian (80 to those you who don't know), I no longer plan to wear a bikini. And to ease my mind, about "waking up from surgery", I always flirt with the anesthetist and make a date with him for after the surgery. Smile, life is worth it.
I had the laparoscopic hernia umbilical surgery 6 weeks ago, I still have pain in the belly button-
I do not know where to go on this, do I again take a chance with the surgeon who repaired it?, I got a hernia after my 2nd pregnancy at the seventh month term-I waited after 6 years to repair it, as it got worse. The hospital I was in was merciless on my care, and I feel that this has much to do with the issue, why would it still hurt? I do not pick up heavy stuff since the surgery. I only saw my doctor to talk to me after the procedure the day after at Noon time. I am really worried about what it means for me-please no more surgery! :( Sucks!
I was ok the first couple days, just discomfort and A LOT of pain.
Yesterday though, was complete hell! Pain and nausea all day! I spent half the day sitting on the toilet with a bucket on my lap... I was horribly constipated, but it still felt like I might have a bowel movement at any moment! The pain I felt every damn time my body heaved to vomit made me feel like my insides were ripping out and I was dying!
Today the nausea is gone, but I still haven't had a bowel movement... I have stabbing pains in my lower right abdomen and the right side of my back. Should I go see a doctor ASAP? I have been using the powdered stool softener I was prescribed, and today I am able to have my coffee. I really just want to poop!
Constipation after a hernia repair is normal. I have an appointment to find out if I have a hernia (I definitely believe I do!) next Thursday.
If I do, I will be adamant about surgery. It causes a lot of pain, and it is getting worse (fells like someone is grabbing me from the inside and twisting, ouch!). Before the surgery, I plan to add prunes and prune juice to my diet BEFORE the surgery, and will be buying laxatives to use if I don't have a bowel movement within a week of surgery. I know how to handle constipation, just because I had chronic constipation growing up (it could have contributed to the hernia I believe I have now). I'm fairly certain my plan will reduce my bowel movements to near water, which will make it easier.
For you, it sounds like you're experiencing normal constipation. Try using an actual laxative, and continue the stool softener. If you still have it, I would go to the hospital/see your doctor.
Also, if the severe pain continues make sure you see the doctor as well...From what I've been reading, pain for 2-3 days to several weeks seems normal. The few people who have experienced pain for months or years obviously are not normal, I do not expect this.
Hoping my appointment goes well next week. My doctor is adverse to surgeries, which is why I'm researching the subject now...
Obviously talk to your doctor about anything you aren't sure about. I like giving advice, but it's not medical advice. Good luck...
If your Dr is not communicating upfront let them know your concerns. If they don't respond find another dr. The one thing I was told was this was their game plan and it might change depending on what they find when they go in. So they might say 4 incisions and you have 6. My Dr's told me they would only do incisions that were necessary.
Because of my situation and weight, over 300 lbs, I was on a 23 hr observation at the hospital. 1st time out of bed was awful, went to the bathroom couldn't wipe myself and getting back to bed was equally as bad. Now, each time I moved it hurt less and less. Don't be afraid of the pain meds at first, take them. At home you will probably want to sleep in a recliner or lift chair. If just started sleeping on my back in the bed 2 nights ago, because that is when I'm felt comfortable. Do It still have pain? Yes, but it is not as bad, each day gets a little better.
It ended up with 6 incisions plus a new belly button, so 7 total. Smallest less that 1 inch, largest over 3 inches and biological mesh inserted . My body has to heal and that is a lot of disruption to my body. Be patient each person is different,today is not as good as yesterday because I'm over did it, so I'm taking it easier today.
Listen to your body and most importantly talk to all medical staff involved, if they won't communicate find someone else and go to your appointments with a list of questions and a notebook or someone else to make note of what is said. Dr's know you mean business when you are prepared.
So far on pain small amount of swelling that will go in a couple of weeks. For your bowels eat all bran with prunes and
you will have no bowel problems.I did not need to take any pain medication.I wish I had this operation months ago
I feel so good.
My mum just had her umbilical hernia surgery 2 days ago and still she can't move from bed
She is still in hospital . she is having difficult to breath and vomiting
Can someone plz tell me is it normal after surgery
And when she can eat and walk
Is anyone else experiencing my symptoms? Please tell me im not going crazy. Im really disappointed.
Umbilical hernias are often congenital, and most are repaired by pediatric surgeons when the child is a baby, and they have no long term complications. If you get an umbilical hernia as an adult, the most common causes are pregnancy and things that increase the amount of stress on your stomach, such as obesity. If the hernia is very small, and nothing is coming out of it, you may be able to take the "watch and wait" approach and may never need a repair. However, if your hernia is large, or you have a loop of bowl coming out- they can be very dangerous and you need to get it surgically repaired. Every surgery has both a risk of bleeding and a risk of infection, including this one. However, your risk of strangulating your intestines is much higher, which can lead to complications such as ischemia and infarction. Essentially, your intestine can die, and you can become septic and also die (worst case scenario, but you see my point). At least go get a consult and see what your options are at there very least.
About the surgery: For all surgeries, there is a (small, but still there) risk of infection, and if you are in poor health, other complications are possible. However all of these things are taken into account before you will be put on an operating table, and a doctor will not recommend surgery if you are not a candidate. Some people seem to be upset that the surgery is painful, and unfortunately all surgeries are painful to some extent. That is why you are put under anesthesia and given painkillers after. Abdominal surgery of any kind is a little harder to recover from because your stomach muscles are involved in so many movements. You cannot expect to heal and be pain-free overnight. You will also need to follow instructions to keep you incision clean and not overdo things. If you are overweight or obese, it may take you longer to heal, and you are certainly at a higher risk for other hernias or a repeat hernia. Keep in mind that hundreds of women get C-sections every day in the US and that is a much more painful and intensive surgery then this, assuming your hernia is not already the size of a child (If it is, please go to the ER).
I came across this post while doing research and wanted to clear up some misinformation. In case you were wondering, I have had an umbilical hernia repair- I was only about 17 and mine was congenital and as a self-conscious teenage girl, I wanted it fixed. The surgery was mildly painful, and since it was very small, no mesh was used and I went back to school about a 10 days later. Now I have a nicely healed scar that is barely noticeable, and I have never had a problem since. Now I'm in medical school hoping to go into surgery. Please do not neglect your heath, and if you need advice in the future, see an actual medical provider.
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