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Original poster

Anyone had an umbilical hernia? adult not baby

25 replies

fadingfast · 18/06/2010 21:44

I've been told by the GP that I've got an umbilical hernia, and she has referred me to the hospital.

Has anyone else had one of these treated? I think it's only small and I've had no obvious discomfort. Do you think they are likely to operate? Or wait until it gets worse? No idea what to expect.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had one of these.

Thanks

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 18/06/2010 21:48

I had an incisional hernia in that area but it wasn't technically an umbilical one and it grew massive. The surgery is fine, little mesh popped in to hold everything together, they did mine with lasers so no stitches or anything. Hurts a bit afterwards (all abdo surgery does) and you can't drive home. I had an epidural, 99% of people have a general.

It you suddenly can't poo you need to get immediate help though (strangulated hernia).

Original poster

fadingfast · 18/06/2010 21:54

I don't suppose they can do a bit of a tummy tuck at the same time can they?
Did they only suggest you had surgery once it got massive?

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 18/06/2010 22:00

Umm...no.

No, it was massive to start with but because it came from a caesarian section I was a bit of a bloater when it happened so took a few weeks to realise

And it did get bigger and bigger - to the size of a watermelon. Looked more pregnant six weeks post partum than six weeks before

Original poster

fadingfast · 18/06/2010 22:18

Ouch.

Mine seems very minor so I'm suspecting they won't want to waste precious NHS money on me.

OP posts:

whomovedmychocolate · 18/06/2010 22:20

They will but it may take 17 weeks (they have to see you within 17 weeks) - it's a v common op. If you say you will take a cancellation you will get seen much quicker. Tis deffo worth getting sorted.

minko · 18/06/2010 22:24

I had an umbilical hernia repair. I had 4 small holes in my muscle wall. General anaesthetic, mesh put in. No chance of a tummy tuck unfortunately as the scar runs vertically around my belly button!

It became apparent after having DD and they said it needed doing before I had any more babies (otherwise I might have split open!) Anyway, surgery was fine, no problem, recovery pretty quick. The only thing was that after DS was born my stomach muscles have never been able to join back together as the mesh and scar tissue prevent it so I'll never have a flat tummy ever again. I wish someone could have warned me about that!

GlastonburyGoddess · 18/06/2010 22:25

Me! Had a tiny one since I can remember. When pregnant with ds1 it got quite big, think size of squished plum. After ds1 they said they wouldnt operate till Id finished my family, as it was when ds1 was about 11months, it twisted/stangulated-not particulary painful, just felt like a rubber band tight round my tummy. Got told to go to hospital immediately, when I got there they managed to pop it back in, I stayed overnight and they operated the next day.It was a small incision and a mesh popped behind it. Had under GA and morphine afterwards, went home same day.

Didnt particulary hurt and healed very well, have since had ds2 and am 36+ with dc3 and it has remained behind mesh and not popped out again. hth

Original poster

fadingfast · 20/06/2010 22:21

Thank you. That all sounds quite reassuring. My first appointment isn't until 12 August, so if they do operate I'm guessing it won't be for a few more months. We are not planning any more dc so that won't be an issue.

I am feeling a bit at the prospect of having a GA, having never had one before.

OP posts:

LadySpratt · 20/06/2010 22:27

Don't worry about having a GA.Also umbilical hernia repairs are easy and quick, so you'll only be asleep for a short time.

minko · 21/06/2010 10:11

Under some National Health initiative I ended up having mine done in a private hospital. I had my own room with my own telly and it was great! Coming round from the anaesthetic felt all dreamy and sleepy and lovely - like a lie-in without the interruptions from kids. I really enjoyed it, so don't worry!!

kizzie · 21/06/2010 18:38

Hi - I had one after twin pregnancy.
Had the mesh surgery which was absolutely fine - so dont worry if you need to have it done.

flyingpinkrabbit · 05/02/2017 09:18

Hi guys my DD Is now 6months and i have just been told I'm having the umbilical hernia which needs to be repaired surgically. Could I know how long would it take to recover? And the scar would be noticeable if it's a keyhole operation? I'm so scared if I go for the operation no one will be able to take care of my baby :(

Wigeon · 05/02/2017 09:24

Looks like this is a zombie thread, flyingpink? But to answer your question: I had an umbilical hernia repaired at the same time as an inguinal hernia (one in my groin). With the umbilical one, the scar is only about 2cm long, right on my tummy button, so you can only see it if you really look. It wasn't keyhole.

I was off work for over a week, but I think that was mostly because of the inguinal hernia - the umbilical one healed much quicker and was much less painful in the healing.

You should talk to your surgeon about all your worries - do you have an appointment yet?

bigoldbird · 05/02/2017 09:30

DH is going for a hernia repair tomorrow. Noticed it just before Christmas, consultation 5 January. It will be performed under local anaesthetic at the super new Dr Surgery in the next town. We are a bit rural and a long way from a 'proper' hospital. If I remember will update tomorrow when it is done.

flyingpinkrabbit · 05/02/2017 22:27

Wigeon, thanks for the reply. it's a zombie post indeed, I was worried and found this one. Thanks for all the valuable information, I feel more reassured after learning your experience. Going to see the specialist this week again and discuss the operation. Did you go for private or NHS? I just hope the recovery will be fast, so I can be track again to look after the baby

flyingpinkrabbit · 05/02/2017 22:28

Bigoldbird, best luck with your DHs operation!

Wigeon · 06/02/2017 09:03

Flying - my local NHS offers the operation at the local NHS hospital (or other NHS ones), which has horrendous parking, and is pretty poor according to the CQC, or at a number of private hospitals, which have free parking and are more pleasant inside. So I went to a local private hospital but entirely funded by the NHS....

bigoldbird · 06/02/2017 22:28

Well, operation performed. It took about an hour including recovery. Came home loaded up with drugs, can't drive for ten days.telephone consultation tomorrow and again next week. All well so far.

Wigeon · 09/02/2017 18:31

Sounds good - get well soon Mr Biggold!

SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 09/02/2017 18:35

I had one but never knew about it.

First I knew was the day after I'd had my appendix out (so still in hospital) the Drs saw me on the ward round & told me that the op was straightforward but they'd found an umbilical hernia so fixed it while they were "in there".

To be fair, my appendix op was 10am on a Sunday morning so I doubt there was much else going on - I guess they did the hernia at the same time to teach someone how to do it.

lottieandmia · 09/02/2017 18:40

I had one caused by pregnancy. I had a 30 minute operation about 5 years ago to correct it and so far it's still ok (touch wood)

flyingpinkrabbit · 09/02/2017 20:09

Thank you both Wigeon and Bigoldbird! Bigoldbird, hope your DH is getting better very soon! I had my scan today, the image showed I should worry more about the diastasis recti

flyingpinkrabbit · 09/02/2017 20:11

Somedaymyprincewillcome, argh I like your name :) Did not notice the hernia at all? Glad it's now repaired

flyingpinkrabbit · 09/02/2017 20:11

Thank you lottieandmia

Cedrina · 16/10/2018 03:37

Did u had kids after your operation?

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