Please come and share your experiences of umbilical hernia repair in adults.

[onedoughnutleft]

I have been told I need to have my umbilical hernia repaired and have been put on the waiting list for surgery.
I am feeling rather nervous about this and hope there are people who can share their experience with me.
How do you feel straight after surgery and how long til you feel back to normal? Did your tummy feel very different afterwards? What was the pain like? Would it be realistic to be think I could be able to go out for the day within about 10 days of the op-I have a busy schedule normally.
I am thinking whether to have it done or not.
Thanks.

Am I the only person with this problem

I used to work in this area.

Obviously I don't know your history or anything but it's generally quite a straight forward procedure and you shouldn't be in hospital long. There's a good chance of being in and out the same day if it's nice and straightforward. Pain wise, you will be quite sore immediately after the op but you will be encouraged to mobilise very soon afterwards. You will likely be sent home on simple pain killers (paracetamol, ibuprofen or similar) and you should take these regularly to begin with. I think you'd be ok for a day out after 10 days but you'll only know that yourself. Your surgeon will advise you better on this afterwards and they should also advise on driving, lifting, work etc.
Your tummy shouldn't really feel any different afterwards but sometimes it is quite numb around the scar for months (even years) after.
Try not to worry about it too much (easy for me to say, I know!), you must need it done for some reason or another.
I hope that's helped a little, obviously this is very general info and it's not the same for everyone!
Good luck.

I had it done about 5 years ago. I was most worried about the GA as I hadn't had one before but it was fine. When I came round I felt tired but no pain. It mostly felt numb - was given pain killers and took them as I felt tender. The pain is more of a stiffness - felt a bit fragile and fainted in the afternoon so just went to bed and was fine the next day. I can't really remember how long it took to feel normal but it wasn't long. By 10 days I would think you would be fine for a day out if it doesn't involve lots of lifting or caring for others. I wouldn't put it off - it's good to have it dealt with and know it isn't going to get worse.

Thanks for your posts.
It is not very big but not fully reducible and have been told it is better to get it done before it has chance to get bigger which could mean a bigger op or running into serious problems if it gets stuck and loses blood supply,

Hi Onedoughnutleft

I've just read your msg on AIBU...worry not - this is a really simple procedure. I had mine repaired a few weeks ago in June. As already said, keep taking the pain meds regularly initially and try and be gentle with yourself in the following weeks to avoid it popping out again.

My hernia was repaired with mesh under GA - no problems and a much quicker recovery than my appendectomy and c section.

Don't cancel the op - if it becomes incarcerated, then it will turn into a problem.

PM me at any time!

Hi crazyforbaby, have pm'd you.

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DP had his repaired in July. He was sore, not 'in pain' if that makes any sense. Apart from a few times, he really didn't need pain meds. Although he came home with quite a stash!

He was up and about freely with very little discomfort in about a week.

He occasionally 'feels' the mesh and he's lost the 'tickly' belly button (dammit I used to wind him up with that fun!) but he's gone back to a physical job in 8 weeks.

I'd recommend having it done before it gets worse.