Umbilical Hernia advice please

[Boysarebackintown]

Over Christmas developed an umbilical hernia which I think was caused during a session in the gym. Any advice from anyone about what to do next please?
My GP has referred me to a surgeon today and said it could take at least a month before I hear back, then not sure now long before I would be operated on. Friends have said they have put up with the hernia for a while before surgery and to delay anyway.

I am already feeling annoyed ( with myself as self inflicted) and frustrated that I can't lift things, bend over (advice from GP) and as my dog pulls a lot on the lead I am worried about walking her. I know that there are many people much worse off than me....I am lucky to be in good health generally, but any advice / experiences would be appreciated.

Bump

I had an umbilical hernia repair two years ago. Initial consultation was quite quick from what I remember then about a month wait. During this time, I was in a great deal of pain, with periods of time I couldn't move from lying down and ended up buying a hernia belt to help in the meantime. I could not have delayed as it got progressively worse. Since op, I do have to be careful with certain exercises.

Thanks twin mummy that's useful x

You can expect to have an outpatient appointment with the Consultant within 13 weeks (government guidelines), hopefully this will be more like 6-8 weeks depending on your Trust. They will probably do an ultrasound to double check that it is a hernia and add you to the surgical waiting list if so. The Trust will aim to do the operation within 18 weeks from the date the referral was received. My advise would be to call the secretary/Appointments team and ask to be contacted if any short notice appointments/surgery slots become available and maybe say that your happy to be "pooled" (ie your happy for any appropriately trained surgeon to do the op). Hopefully your Trust isn't cancelling elective operations due to high emergency admissions!

Good luck x

Thanks Mrsl - saw GP yesterday who has referred me, so awaiting the letter now. Just very frustrating not be able to do much at the moment. Good tip re calling them - once I know where to call - as I would definitely ask for a short notice slot. My boss is usually very helpful with anyone in the team who has medical issues so I will speak to them today.

Your lucky they wouldn’t fix my hernia as it was pregnancy related - it was only done by another surgeon who spotted it when completing another procedure.

Mrs Pear . Thanks for responding and sorry they didn't offer to repair yours, that does not seem fair at all. I realise I am lucky and many people are in far greater need than me.

Mrsl - thanks again for the advice, been doing some research and two local hospital waiting times are 31 weeks! According to some info I found via NHS choices webpages.

I am in "the system" now so hoping that things progress more quickly than that, thankfully not too much pain but it might grind me down after 31 weeks!

It took 6 months from my initial GP appointment to my operation.

Happy to help!

31 weeks, wow!