Umbilical Hernia...

LizardQueen4PointOh
LizardQueen4PointOh Posts: 245 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have an umblilical hernia that resulted from my pregnancies. I may have had it (small) after my oldest was born (~8 years ago), but I know I for sure had it after my middle child was born (~5 years ago). I do not have any pain with it, which is why I did not have it looked at until this past year. I had a surgeon look at it and he said that it is just under 1" and that I could have it repaired laparoscopically and get mesh, which the body may reject because of it being a foreign body (I'm not wild on this only because my grandmother has several hernias and has had problems with the mesh) or they can make an incision directly on top of it and sew the muscles together, which is susceptible to tearing due to overexertion, weight-gain, pregnancy (not an issue for me). Surgery is not an option for me right now because I do not have anyone to really help with my two year old while I heal. Plus, I've had no surgeries and I'm honestly a little scared.

So.... my question is: has anyone else had a small umbilical hernia that exercise and weight loss helped to reduce? I know it's a long shot, but a girl can hope! I also know that just because someone else may have had positive results, that I may not have those same results. For now, I am not modifying my exercise. I am just paying attention to see if I have any pain and so far I have not.

Thanks in advance! :smile:

Replies

  • Skratchie
    Skratchie Posts: 131 Member
    The only person I've known to have an umbilical hernia was my son, as a baby. The doctor told me it would heal on it's own, but it would take time. If it didn't heal by the time he was three, they would do surgery. Fortunately, his did heal on its own, and surgery was never needed for it. Maybe get a second opinion? Since it's such a small tear, and based on my son's experience, it might be possible for it to heal on its own but I'm not a doctor, so I can't say for sure it will.
  • elsinora
    elsinora Posts: 398 Member
    I would advise asking the doctor and specialist to advise on what exercises you can do first.

    As you know what a hernia is, the fact it's pushing through the membrane means certain exercises can actually do you damage as it stresses the area you're having probs with.

    Honestly, before you do anything gym wise, check with the doc again so you don't make it worse.

    Get well soon xxx
  • queentitania
    queentitania Posts: 10
    Umbilical hernia, no. I do have an adhesion (basically scar tissue grows onto your organs/muscles and it hurts a lot). It bothered me tremendously. I've since lost 120 pounds and yes it helped TONS. I rarely have pain from it anymore. Maybe there's hope? I'm by no means advocating any sort of medical anything. Just throwing it out there.
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    I have been told by doctors that hernias don't heal, as they are not really in the muscle tissue, but in the membrane covering the muscle (that has no blood supply).

    I had a HUGE hernia, after having a gall bladder removal by laproscopy. It started in the tiny slit in the umbilicus. That got infected during surgery, and had to be lanced, packed and drained until it healed. NOT fun. Then I had to lift my cousin who had fallen on the floor (turns out he had a brain tumor- another story), and the hernia developed since the tissue wasn't well healed yet (takes about six months). I finally found a doctor who would repair it (most said the original surgeon had to do it- professional courtesy, but he wouldn't). So, the huge hernia was a result of lifting way too much too soon after surgery. It was the size of a softball. I had a piece of mesh put in place, the size of a kleenex tissue unfolded. AND they also stitched it up, so a double repair. During the recovery I had to wear a abdominal support (elastic binder). Some people wear this for the entire six month healing process. I found I could go without after a month, unless I was doing a lot. The worst part of the recovery was the first week. The pain meds were making me extremely nauseated (vomiting, etc.) and it hurt to move. BUT, this was a ten inch incision. The original gall bladder surgery by laproscopy was a piece of cake until the infection. And even then, it wouldn't have been terrible except for my cousin. I was sore, but not hurting, a couple of days, then just had to restrict my activity for six weeks, and NOT LIFT for six months.

    So basically what I am saying is that the laproscopy surgery is not difficult at all- very little pain and quick to get back on your feet, baring complications. BUT it is important to NOT LIFT! and to follow the docs other instructions carefully.
  • miriamwithcats
    miriamwithcats Posts: 1,120 Member
    An addition, after I reread your original post. Your hernia CAN get bigger if you do a lot of heavy lifting or crunch type stomach exercises. If you want a flat tummy, do the lying on the floor, legs straight and lift them, WHILE HOLDING IN THE HERNIA. And practice just holding your stomach in. But do not do crunches or heavy lifting. My softball size hernia did not start out that size. It grew over the years. I live alone and have a Victorian house I am renovating, and landscaping. And I have lots of animals. So I have to do a lot of lifting in my day to day activities. When you lift your kids (avoid it if you can) do it while squatting, then lift with your legs, not your back. That will help.

    By the way, I have a masters in rehabilitation therapy, so am more knowledgable about anatomy, accommodations, etc.
  • NGT351
    NGT351 Posts: 31 Member
    I had a small umbilical hernia, got it fixed with the mesh, and all is now good. The recovery wasn't bad, just annoying because I couldn't really work out for about a month. So don't be afraid of the surgery. The logistics of child care is a problem so good luck with that. Bottom line...the hernia isn't going to fix itself or go away...but it may get worse. Elsinora had it right...check with your Doc before you do anything in the gym that might make it worse. Hope it all works out for the best.
  • LizardQueen4PointOh
    LizardQueen4PointOh Posts: 245 Member
    Thank you for all of the responses! It looks like the consensus is surgery. I think I am going to look into purchasing a hernia belt to wear until I feel comfortable that I will not have a problem with refraining from lifting after surgery. I just can't do that right now with a two year old. :frown: I will also call the surgeon I saw and ask about exercises. Thanks again! :flowerforyou:

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