umbilical hernia op- will it help flatten my tummy?

[sunglasses]

I have been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. Have 2 children and not planning any more. Youngest is almost 5. Have seen a specialist last year who said if its not causing problems don't have surgery at the moment, however my tummy is just not the same as was post pregnancy. I believe there is some muscles separation too and my tummy is constantly pregnant looking. I am a petite size 10, not really curvy, small chested etc so a big belly just looks ridiculous. It always feels hard and full like its inflated with air or full of water and it makes choosing clothes very difficult. Anyone had a repair done? If so what exactly did they do and did it improve the appearance of your tummy. I would love to exercise again as don't do anything apart from walking, cycling etc at the moment but would like to tone up my tummy area. Is that possible to do after recovery from an operation?
I just want a normal feeling tummy that is in proportion to the rest of me!

bump

Hi there. I just had a hernia repair done in conjunction with a tummy tuck that also brought together the separated muscles (diastasis recti)

I'm convinced that if I wasn't overweight then the hernia repair would've flattened my stomach anyway - it feels really tight.

If you don't need fat removal, you can get this done on the NHS. Just get a surgeon who can repair the hernia & the diastasis recti in the same op.

Hope that helps :) Good luck.

oh just seen this reply a bit late! Thank you. Are you saying you actually had a tummy tuck on the NHS? Is this the only way both problems could be sorted or can I have them done without the tummy tuck bit?