I have been googling belly buttons for a few hours

[lljkk]

I reckon 8yo DS has a slight umbilical hernia. It seems the procedure to fix it is relatively quick & can be done under local anasthetic. There's no medical need unless it starts getting bigger.

Thing is, it's plain ugly. The pics aren't DS, but are close to him now & what I imagine in future. When DS is a few yrs older, should we offer to get it surgically fixed, even if we have to pay private. Or maybe it would be better to get fixed when he's younger (?). Is it better to fix now to avoid it getting bigger one day? I don't normally think about looks, but this is obvious... Any experience? WWYD?

Also discovered I have always had something called diastasis recti (which causes me no problems, & pregnancies did not make worse).

[nailsathome]

That's what my DDs looks like. I also suspect a hernia but I'm leaving it unless it caused her a problem.

[LBOCS2]

I had an umbilical hernia as a child which resolved itself. It popped out again when I had DD (the pushing!) but self resolved within a couple of weeks.

Has he always had it?

[lljkk]

Yes always had it. Even as a baby I thought, "Hmmm... what's going to happen to that". Other DC are all simple innies. I suddenly noticed again the other day & We had a little chat about it, it's like his spare stubby willy. I don't think he's had any negative comments from anyone, at least.

[BeachysFlipFlops]

My DD had one which protruded over an inch, which was fixed by plastic surgery when she was about 2 1/2. They cut it off and had to create a 'fake ' tummy button,otherwise she would have had just a straight scar, which would have just faded away! It looks good, but it is slightly off centre now (she's 18!). I could try to persuade her to post a picture but I'm not sure she'd be keen.....

[Ihatefootball]

Whatever you do, don't google hernia and then in pictures lies I just did....not pleasant!