Umbilical/ Belly button Hernia ?
- Thread starter buneknek
- Start date
I've had 3 ventral and 1 umbilical hernia. I am currently recovering from getting 2 ventral and the umbilical hernia repaired. The other ventral hernia was repaired two years ago. The ventral hernias were between my the top of my rib cage and my belly button. I was actually shocked to find out I had an umbilical hernia since I had no symptoms. During my last pregnancy, I felt a slight protrusion in the same area as my previous ventral hernia. My OB said to go see the surgeon again b/c that's what she thought it was. The surgeon told me to see him after I delivered the baby, so I did. At first he didn't think I had a hernia after all (I was relieved), but sent me for a CT scan to make sure. Sure enough, it showed one ventral hernia. So, when I went in for a "quick" surgery and 1-day hospital stay, you can imagine I was shocked when he told me how many he found. He put a large piece of mesh over my entire ab area, and I was in hospital for 4 days! Anyway, 4 weeks later, I'm starting to feel like my old self again. By the way, he said my pregnancies did it to me. He also said I had a weakness in that area where the hernias were. He said I could have been born with that weakness and the pregnancies may have caused more harm.
I also had a hospital roommate for a short time, and she had an umbilical hernia. Her baby is 3 months old. This lady went on a trip with her husband, went to a yoga class and was in a lot of pain when her belly button popped out. They immediately flew home and went to the ER. She was in the hospital room waiting for an OR to open up. So, in her case, she had really bad pain out of the blue and got immediate surgery. I'm not sure how she was able to fly back her from her vacation if she was in that much pain, but somehow she did. She went home the same day as her surgery.
It's good that you're seeing your doctor just to be sure. Good luck, and let us know what your dr. says.
-Jen
I also had a hospital roommate for a short time, and she had an umbilical hernia. Her baby is 3 months old. This lady went on a trip with her husband, went to a yoga class and was in a lot of pain when her belly button popped out. They immediately flew home and went to the ER. She was in the hospital room waiting for an OR to open up. So, in her case, she had really bad pain out of the blue and got immediate surgery. I'm not sure how she was able to fly back her from her vacation if she was in that much pain, but somehow she did. She went home the same day as her surgery.
It's good that you're seeing your doctor just to be sure. Good luck, and let us know what your dr. says.
-Jen
hokypoky
Cathlete
I had an umbillical hernia - my stomach was probably weakened when I had kids. I remember the day the hernia happened - I had decided to hoist a 40# barbell up for squats, even though I had been working with 25#. Dumb! That night I felt the little knot and eventually went to a surgeon. He did an exam, I booked the surgery and it was very easy. It was outpatient, I had general anethesia, DH drove me home and 2 days later I (carefully and slowly) walked a 5K. I probably wouldn't have, but it was a fundraiser for juvenille diabetes and DD was the team captain!
I recovered very easily, but have to give this word of caution. You're not allowed to lift anything heavier than 20 or 25# with a hernia, in addition to at least 6 weeks after surgery, nor work the core area. Well, I neglected my core after surgery, too, and 2 months later was dealing with a bulging disk, which was waaaaay worse than the hernia. So my word to the wise is to follow doctor's orders (that I did), don't make huge leaps in lifting weights, and slowly get back to working your core and back as soon as advised.
I recovered very easily, but have to give this word of caution. You're not allowed to lift anything heavier than 20 or 25# with a hernia, in addition to at least 6 weeks after surgery, nor work the core area. Well, I neglected my core after surgery, too, and 2 months later was dealing with a bulging disk, which was waaaaay worse than the hernia. So my word to the wise is to follow doctor's orders (that I did), don't make huge leaps in lifting weights, and slowly get back to working your core and back as soon as advised.
Oh my gosh, Dayna....walking in a race 2 days after surgery? Holy cow
!!! But, you did it! I agree with your great advice to listen to your dr. I never, never, ever want to go through that large repair again (the smaller one was a much easier, simpler recovery)! So, 4 weeks out I am still only walking (per dr.'s orders). I am so antsy to start exercising with Cathe again! I also understand why you started to have back trouble...you have to compensate somewhere for the weak core. My dr. also said never lift or move heavy furniture again, do not do heavy leg squats or lunges and focus on lighter weights with high reps. I'm ok with that since I was never a heavy lifter in the first place.
To answer the ? about how hernias are usually repaired...The procedure is usually done lapriscopically (sp?), as an outpatient, mesh is usually used to repair the area.
!!! But, you did it! I agree with your great advice to listen to your dr. I never, never, ever want to go through that large repair again (the smaller one was a much easier, simpler recovery)! So, 4 weeks out I am still only walking (per dr.'s orders). I am so antsy to start exercising with Cathe again! I also understand why you started to have back trouble...you have to compensate somewhere for the weak core. My dr. also said never lift or move heavy furniture again, do not do heavy leg squats or lunges and focus on lighter weights with high reps. I'm ok with that since I was never a heavy lifter in the first place. To answer the ? about how hernias are usually repaired...The procedure is usually done lapriscopically (sp?), as an outpatient, mesh is usually used to repair the area.
hokypoky
Cathlete
My doctor/surgeon was able to determine it was a hernia from just a physical exam, no x-ray. Actually, at first I saw my general dr's p.a., and he wasn't 100% sure because it didn't seem typical so he referred me to the surgeon who knew exactly what it was.
After the 6-week period following the surgery, I was allowed to resume normal activities. Last year I got past the bulging disk issue, strengthened my back and core, and I just now finished STS, lifting heavier than I ever have. One thing I liked about STS is doing the squats with heavy dumbells and a weighted vest or holding the barbell, as opposed to the barbell on my shoulders. I never was super comfortable with all that weigh sitting there, and I liked this method. I think I squatted around 60#, and my deadlifts were up to 80#, so I'm pleased at the way I gradually achieved that!
After the 6-week period following the surgery, I was allowed to resume normal activities. Last year I got past the bulging disk issue, strengthened my back and core, and I just now finished STS, lifting heavier than I ever have. One thing I liked about STS is doing the squats with heavy dumbells and a weighted vest or holding the barbell, as opposed to the barbell on my shoulders. I never was super comfortable with all that weigh sitting there, and I liked this method. I think I squatted around 60#, and my deadlifts were up to 80#, so I'm pleased at the way I gradually achieved that!
hokypoky
Cathlete
Jen, that is major surgery! I'm glad you're feeling better and "reinforced" now!
To determine if a hernia is present, the dr. will usually feel the defect and the surrounding area. Then, the patient will be asked to cough many times while the dr. holds his fingers on/around the area. In my case, when he didn't think there was a hernia, he gave me 3 options...#1 Do nothing, and see him again in about 6 months. #2 Get a CT scan (that's the option I went with) #3-Make an incision, go in with a laproscope and repair any hernias if there were any. Your dr. will also ask you if you have any pain in the affected area.
-Jen
-Jen
buneknek
Cathlete
I saw my family doctor today & did the coughing test. He said yes I have umbilical hernia but small enough that I don't need a surgery & it's ok for me to continue what I am doing except heavy lifting or exercise that will involve abs! Really??? That sucks!
So I guess I will just be very careful when I lift weights & my 32lb daughter!
When do u know that you need sx? Mine is just a little knot maybe a size of dime & only tender when you press on it.
So I guess I will just be very careful when I lift weights & my 32lb daughter!
When do u know that you need sx? Mine is just a little knot maybe a size of dime & only tender when you press on it.
buneknek
Cathlete
I saw my family doctor today & did the coughing test. He said yes I have umbilical hernia but small enough that I don't need a surgery & it's ok for me to continue what I am doing except heavy lifting or exercise that will involve abs! Really??? That sucks!
So I guess I will just be very careful when I lift weights & my 32lb daughter!
When do u know that you need sx? Mine is just a little knot maybe a size of dime & only tender when you press on it.
So I guess I will just be very careful when I lift weights & my 32lb daughter!
When do u know that you need sx? Mine is just a little knot maybe a size of dime & only tender when you press on it.
When I was pregnant, and my dr. couldn't fix anything then, he told me that if I get a very sharp pain, I was to get to the closest ER. The chances are small that anything (like intestines) would get caught in the hernia. Of course, being me, I was worried that that would happen and I wouldn't know since pregnancy brings all sorts of weird pains. He assured me that I'd know. So, to answer your ?, if you notice it getting bigger, more painful, or if you want to be able to exercise your abs again, or if you want piece of mind, get surgery. Good luck!
-Jen
-Jen