Update — May 2013: I’ve been amazed and gratified at the dozens and dozens of comments here and the generosity of sharing of experiences. It’s now a year post-surgery, and I’m as strong as ever, if not stronger, thanks in big part to my trainer, Stephanie Dale. Coincidentally, she has just endured inguinal hernia repair surgery. She shared a lot about that here and I encourage you to check it out. Wishing you all the best.
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It’s 11 days after my surgery for umbilical hernia repair and I feel just about back to normal, though I’m still not supposed to lift anything over 20 pounds for another few weeks. In a nutshell, the surgery was a breeze; the recovery not so much, but I have no major complaints. Here’s the long story about how I got here.
I’ll spare you the narrative of my ENTIRE life since my own birth, but I know having an umbilical hernia for me at least goes all the way back to 2004, when I gave birth to our wonderful girl. I had occasionally noticed in the years post-partum that I had a small lump above my belly button. Sometimes. Usually not while lying down, but more prominent while standing. I just guessed it was one of the many ways my body has been touched by the pregnancy experience. It never bothered me.
Until Tuesday, May 1, 2012 (MAY DAY). I had a typical workout in the afternoon which included some basic abdominal crunches. I didn’t notice anything at first, but while I was driving home I was in sudden, throbbing abdominal pain which came in waves and caused me to remember childbirth and breathing exercises. At first I thought it was yet another strike of the norovirus and that I was about to vomit — but the pain stayed constant and I did not, in fact, vomit.
By the time I reached home, I felt and looked at my belly and noticed a larger protrusion than ever before above my belly button, and I knew I was destined for the emergency room. Had I thought about icing in advance, I might have saved myself that trip, but I don’t think I would have had such a fast plan to action had I not visited the ER.
In the lovely Davies ER, the doctor tried to palpate to see if he could press my Sigourney Weaver lump back in (ok, maybe it wasn’t THAT big), but it was way way too tender for him to get near. I was given Dilaudid for the pain, and an ice pack over my belly. When the doctor returned a bit later to see if he could press the protrusion back in, surprise: it had already slipped back in. This made the essential difference, I believe, between having a “strangulated hernia” (a medical emergency requiring immediate surgery) and an “incarcerated hernia” (for which repair can be scheduled at leisure). Fortunately my body opted for the latter. I went home (I walked! Carefully. I felt too nauseated for a car) about two hours later.
I got to meet with the surgeon, Dr. Robert Murray, the next day. He was great, and came quickly to the point. He determined that it was a relatively small tear, that he could stitch it up instead of having to use mesh, and that there was no rush but that I was not to lift anything heavier than 20 pounds until 4-6 weeks after getting it repaired. Since I have been trying to exercise regularly, and since I LOVE holding my 50-lb 7-year-old girl, I opted for as soon as possible. Miraculously and with much aligning of stars, surgery was scheduled for the following Monday, May 7, at (the also lovely) St. Mary’s Medical Center.
I spent Friday getting a blood panel and EKG as preparation for surgery, didn’t eat anything Sunday night, and arrived at St. Mary’s at 8am on Monday morning.
There was very little waiting around — it was my first time at St. Marys and I found it pleasant overall. The rooms were private, the nurses and attendants responsive, and everything seemed efficient. By 9a my IV was in (first try — with much relief and thanks to nurse Debbie), and I was down in the prep area. I met with Dr. Murray and consulted with the anesthesiologist – who then rattled off an intriguing cocktail of complicated sounding drugs that would soon be flowing into my veins.
I was wheeled into the operating room, which was pleasantly chilly and decorated all over with blue tile, as if we were in a bathtub. On the gurney, arms out to sides, the anesthesiologist said “it will be about 10 seconds.” I looked at the clock — 9:30 — and that was that.
Suddenly, I was told to breathe in through a mask (oxygen?) and was back in the post-op room – the same room as the pre-op room. The clock said 10:30.
I was asked my name – several times through the process – was asked about pain (none at that time) and waited around being generally out of it for a bit. I looked at my belly, which was patched with gauze and a 4″x4″ plastic adhesive. I was told not to scratch my eyes. Suddenly it was 11:15. I was wheeled back up to my room, where my lovely wife Leanne was waiting for me.
That’s all it took — I eschewed Vicodin as a pain-killer since it depresses me, and favored Percocet, which I had not tried before. I was back home by 1p. The first day was fine — almost pleasant.
I felt a bit sea-sick lying down to sleep and had a disturbed rest. I kept feeling like I was biting my tongue (a ramification of pain killers?) and started to experience significant pain. I took Percocet and Zofran at least every four hours. The next day was not so great. I awoke to find my gauze pad completely bloody, and was in a lot of pain as if there were a knife in my stomach. It was hard to sit up from lying down. I felt like I really needed to roll over, then stand from being sideways. I must have had about 8 Percocet in the first day post-op and didn’t feel like it had any effect. I called the doctor about the bloody gauze – I was afraid I would never stop bleeding – and got an appointment for Thursday.
Dr. Murray changed the bandage on Thursday and assured me it was going well, but that I should remove the bandage on Saturday because I was evidently allergic to the plastic cover. He also told me I needed to be taking Ibuprofen together with the Percocet — something I was not told before. I’m not sure if doing this for the next couple of days or if just the passage of time made the pain start to ease.
It was after that that I noticed the hives all over my belly. Still not sure if this was because of the Percocet or the plastic. And my bowels hadn’t worked for – well – days, despite Colace.
Things started to get better on Saturday and I pitched the Percocet and was excited to take off the bandage, having fully forgotten about steristrips. The steristrips came off by Monday, and I used a little antibiotic and a bandaid for the next week.
The area looked bloody and spotted with rash for the first few days, but today I just have a slightly swollen red line around the rim of my navel where the surgeon inserted the tiny tools. I don’t see any trace of infection, which I had been worried about.
The really unpleasant part of post-op included my bowels, as a side-effect of the pain medication. I had never had such pain getting started again … The Colace seemed to do nothing. I tried some laxatives upon the advice of my mom, which worked fine — a couple days later. It seemed to take my body awhile to react to these medications. If I were to do this over again, I would have asked if I could have started the stool-softener process in advance of surgery.
Which brings us today, 11 days post-op. I probably won’t wear a bandaid by tomorrow and I only feel the smallest bit of a twinge — a little tiny pinch, really — on my navel. One disconcerting thing is a bit of swelling and hardness around my whole navel, almost as if I still have a hernia and in fact as if it has grown. I gather this is normal post-op and is a sort of swelling and healing that will eventually subside. I have a checkup with the surgeon in 10 days and after that I’m expecting the go-or-no-go for lifting and carrying things and generally exercising back to normal again.
So my key recommendations for you, dear readers, are these:
- Feeling a hernia? Try ice first. But of course, also go to the emergency room if you need to.
- Talk in advance with your surgeon about pain medications. Be clear not only on what you want, if you have a preference, but how to use it and with what other medications.
- Ask in advance what to expect from the bandaging — bleeding OK?
- Plan for constipation: is it OK to take stool softeners in advance? I don’t know the answer…
- Uber is a great way to get to and from your surgeries. Costs a bit more, but worth it.
- Have amazing friends lined up to drive and deliver things (Leanne, Liz, Rob, David… hugs).
Things really went well as a whole, and I’m looking forward to being stronger than ever in a few weeks when I can start exercising again. Thanks for witnessing this part of my life story and I hope it brings some comfort if you are facing the same experience.
Moya, very helpful overview of your experience. I’m sharing this with someone who may need similar treatment. -Aaron
OK, Moya, I think that’s all I need to know! hugs Mom
Hi enjoyed reading this thank you I’ve been really worrying about the hard lump post op! I too didn’t have mesh and had a small hernia and am 3 weeks post op with this hard lump. I asked one of the docs who said he thinks it’s just the sutures and doesn’t feel like the hernia is back but I wasn’t really put at ease. After reading how yours went I’m hoping it’s a regular common thing. Has yours gone now or is it still there? Thanks for sharing your story!
Hi Bec!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Did you have the surgeon actually check on the lump? Probably a good idea to have it palpated – though yes, it’s probably also this common healing thing.
I had my post-op visit with the surgeon a week after I wrote the above and he felt the area and said it was basically scar tissue and it would heal. If this is as common as it seems, that’s something they should definitely prepare us for!
It’s now exactly two months since my surgery and I still feel a slight hardness around my navel, where he made the incisions (not where the hernia was, which was about an inch above!), but it pretty much went away, so yes – all part of healing.
I needed to update this post anyway because about three weeks ago I resumed working out — and at first I had a sharp pain in my abs (to the right of my navel, for some reason) after doing crunches. I figured it was the sutures and scar tissue adjusting as the muscles started to move again — and now I feel that pain only when I press.
It seems like things are gradually getting back, basically, to normal.
Slight drama of surgery aside, in all, it’s great to not have to worry about my insides poking through a hole in my muscles anymore! well worth it. Wishing you get to that point soon.
all the best to you;
-m
Hey thanks again! I saw someone who wasn’t the surgeon but One of his team who hardly gave me the time of day, did check the lump and say was most likely the surures but he wasn’t very convincing, so which is why I turned to dr google and found this! I went to my gp today as I was still worried about this lump which is right in my belly button where the original hernia was which is why I was worrying so much. She did the normal push it getting me to cough and said it definitely wasn’t the hernia as it didnt change when i coughed and remained hard and was just more than like where they sewn me up inside. I was getting bothered as my belly button has started sticking out again but she still thinks its just a result of the surgery and said the lump may remain for a few months. I feel slightly more relieved now I’ve heard it from someone that have me the time. I agree they don’t tell you what to expect yes they warn you about pain and tell you what not to do but don’t warn you about things that may worry you which would have given me a few better nights sleep! I feel much better now I’ve spoken to my own doc and read your posts.Thanks!
Hernia can be best remedied through surgery. Hernia can be also hereditary and there is not much you can do about it. ‘;,,:
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Its 11 days post my laparascopic umbilical Hermia repair and I look pregnant. Around my navel and incision points feels hard. I called the doctor’s office and his personal assistant said what I’m experiencing is normal. In 14 days I will be seeing the surgeon, do they look inside the tummy to see what is going on? I’m just bothered with the way I look now, it’s like I came out with more tummy than usual.
Terry, I think I was really swollen too – and I remember the hardness. It’s gone now. I guess it was just all the tissues and muscles that had to heal inside there. It’s good that you’re getting seen by your surgeon though. Hope it puts your mind at rest!
Thanks was very helpful; I am in a similar situation.
I had umbilical hernia repair without mesh- just sutures and I am 11 day spot op and my entire naval area sticks out and has a hard lump under it. I also still have an outie(due to that lump?.). How long did it take the lump to go away? When were you cleared to do sit-ups after surgery?did you have sutures or mesh? Thx!
Hi Melissa – thanks for reaching out. Sounds very similar to what I experienced. I also had sutures – not mesh. It’s my understanding that the hardness was the muscle and other and tissue healing from the surgery and it did go away though it took some time! Do you have a post-op scheduled with your surgeon? That’s going to be the best way to put any concerns to rest. I was cleared after six weeks and started gradually back into training sessions then – actually not so gradual. One careful session the first week, then back to what I had been doing before in week 7. Take care of yourself Melissa and hope your healing goes well!
Thank you for the response! My post op appt is end of this week. Oddly, I also have a rash around my naval area, and have since a few days after surgery. The hard lump is still there, although getting smaller each day. I still have an outie. How long until you had an ‘innie’ again? My belly button is quite ugly right now!
THANKS for sharing your experience! I might create a blog on mine as well, not enough info online about umbilical hernia and esp not about suture repaired umbilical hernia!
Hi Melissa –
>My post op appt is end of this week. Oddly, I also have a rash around my naval area, and have since a few days after surgery.
Hope your post op goes well and puts you at ease. I totally had the rash too! I believe it was from the tape that they used to hold the sterile pad over the steristrips. I think my skin reacted to it. It too went away – but it wasn’t pleasant for a couple days, true!
> The hard lump is still there, although getting smaller each day. I still have an outie. How long until you had an ‘innie’ again?
It all changed gradually as it healed — over the course of weeks.
> THANKS for sharing your experience! I might create a blog on mine as well, not enough info online about umbilical hernia and esp not about suture repaired umbilical hernia!
This is a fantastic idea and be sure to come back and post the link to your stories once you get the chance to write them up. Thanks again for reaching out and sharing your experience — your healing has just begun and will get better.
best, -m
I just got an umbilical hernia repair done last Tuesday. The procedure itself went well but I think the Percocet made me very dizzy, nervous, not hungry and anxious. I have lost 10 lbs. I stopped taking Percocets on Saturday and since then am slowly feeling more like myself. Question is it normal to lose weight like this? 10lbs in 7 days? Also I get very nervous so is it normal to fernl like little tugging around the area where the hernia was? My next appointment is Wednesday will post follow up then.
Hi there. I remember feeling the tugging too — actually for quite some time! It’s gone now – I suspect it was all part of the healing process for the muscles and tissues. I was definitely affected by the Percocet too – I specifically chose it because vicodin makes me depressed, but I’m not so sure Percocet was better for me. People have different success and side-effects with different meds so no one person – including doctors – can say what us best for you, but at your followup on Wednesday you should definitely ask about these things, including whether there is a better choice for you for pain meds, given this experience. Hang in there though – takes time to heal and it sounds like that’s exactly what you are doing.
This was great helped me out so much I.Felt in the dark about things esp.. the constipation…
I have an appointment to set up surgery in a week for a paraumbilical hernia I acquired during a heavy maximum squat, which I dropped due to a pulling pain. I’m 23. I am depressed and worried about if I will ever be capable of maximum inter abdominal pressure required on a daily basis to complete the intense training I live for. Specifically Olympic squats, deadlifts, power cleans, and front squats. May even lose my jobs too. I am worried because compared to most people I live for olympic lifting which requires far more Inter Ab Pressure than most peoples’ workouts. So when a Dr refers to being able to workout again he may not be refering to such intensity.. Will I always have this weakened area above my belly button? Will it seal up stronger than before? seems mesh in between my abs in that tight spot will inevitably move/fold/cause complications..? Will I ever really be able to do max squats again, like heavy 400+lb squats that require extreme gut pressure? I can’t believe this terrible achilles heal.. All these people with umbilical hernias can touch them and push them in, mine hurts too bad to even gently touch. PLEASE help me with any insight on your abdominal seal. Sincerely,
Bryan
Bryan thank you so much for reaching out and for sharing your situation. I doubt that many people know what it’s like to be in your shoes, so you may be a pioneer in this area. I will reach out to you personally, but my (non-professional) impression is that the weakness existed *before* it became a hernia, and repairing it is just liable to make it stronger than ever before. You know I am not a doctor, but in my experience I can do everything I could before — just without that bulge. I didn’t have the mesh, but both the mesh and sutures are said to eventually become one with the muscle. You stand a good chance, sir, to be stronger than ever…
Wow, thanks so much for all the information. I had my surgery 3 days ago and was getting worried about my huge belly and if I will ever be able to exersise again. I had small hernia on my bellybutton and didn’t need a mesh which I’m pleased about. My surgeon has not been the chattiest man and I don’t really know how the op went. I have a follow up with him in 2 weeks and hopefully can find out more but am really relieved after reading your comments.
Thank you.
Hi Daisy – glad you find some solace here. Day 3 post-op was most definitely not my best time, so I’m pretty sure you have a much better future with your belly. Write down all the questions you have and try to go through them methodically with your doctor when you have the follow-up. It will be the best place for you to find reassurance and know what’s ahead. Don’t leave till you feel like you have all the info you need. :) Take care.
Great blogging, everyone! I’m 3 days post op. my belly looks huge, so I’m very relieved to read some others did, too. I was thinking swelling from surgical trauma? Also, constipation was a huge issue. I tried dried fruits, fiber gummies, colace, laxatives, u name it. I felt so much pressure in my belly I swore I was going to blow the sutures from the inside out! Haha finally got relief with a suppository, FYI. I have major burning around umbilicus and it seems to get worse when I do too much ( like laundry, cleaning, chasing my 2 year old twins). I, like Bryan, am concerned about heavy lifts again. I pretty much live for Crossfit and extreme workouts, so am interested in how hes making out. Right now I’m too sore, but I’m expecting to be going nuts not training in a few more days (pre & post twin delivery I took a combined total of almost 3 weeks off training). Keep the awesome blogging going!!
Thanks Joni for adding your voice — yeah sounds like there are some pretty common threads with the swelling, the constipation (ugh), the pressure, the burning. PLUS you have twin toddlers!
I hope Bryan checks back in too — but at least for me, I’m as strong as I ever was in my belly now. Maybe not quite a six-pack…….. maybe working on it :) Good luck and hope it’s all even better now.
OrI had my umbilical hernia repaired on March 28 and with this being my very first surgery in my life, I’m 47, I was absolutely terrified! I didn’t know what kind of pain to expect afterwards. The surgeon that performed the procedure has excellent communication skills and he explained.and showed me how he would make the incision and how he would close it. I was also forewarned of possible constipation from the medication. I’ve had zero pain, which neither he nor any of the staff assisting in the procedure can believe, and I made sure to drink plenty of water and apple juice and eat light to avoid the constipation problem. The only side effect I experienced is the Percocet prescribed for the pain caused me to itch, I’m allergic to it.
Hi! So happy to find this thread. I am an active 47 year old female – 8 days post surgery. I had open surgery with mesh. Oh my gosh / I looked 6 months pregnant after the operation! It has taken until now for swelling to go down but I am still swollen. I had dissolving stitches and my steri strips fell off yesterday (day 7)…incision looks good BUT I too have that hard lump just above the incision. I know it’s not my hernia cause mine was below my belly button and the lump is above. It’s about 1″ height and 1.5″ width. Really glad I found this forum as I was worried about it and my post opp appointment isn’t for 2 weeks. I have struggled with infertility and this is my 5th abdominal surgery (2 csections & 3 lap surgeries to try and get prego) if you have constipation (works every time for me) but del monte STEWED prunes – not dry) first thing am drink: one glass warm water with fresh lemon juice squeezed in) then eat 5-6 prunes before you eat anything followed by a glass of warm water. Do this prune dose again at lunch (before you eat your meal) and at dinner. Generally 15 prunes a day will get things moving in about 36 hours. This method has always worked for me! Anyways glad to hear that other people have that lump too! I can’t wait to run again and hopefully now without pain after 10 km!
I am two days post surgery to repair my large two and a half year old umbilical hernia with mesh. I also had some muscle tearing so my belly was quite large for my frame. Third child (my sweet baby girl) was 9lbs3oz. I had a tough time with anesthesia, and recovery has been harder than all 3 of my csections. Worst thing for me has been gas pain up into my back and shoulder blades. I am off the oxycodone as of last night since it made me so nauseous, just Tylenol now which is great. Going to try the prunes as suggested by your reader!
Wow Michelle and CBahr – thanks so much for sharing — it’s terrific how people are helping each other with info here. Stats from WordPress tell me that people come to this post all the time looking for relief about hernia repair surgery – so if anyone from above still follows the thread, come back to post an update so people can see.
Michelle and CBahr – sounds like you’ve both had a spate of various surgeries – hope the hernia repair resolves as smoothly as mine did. Now almost one year since my hernia, I never even think of it anymore and work out as hard as ever. Hang in there, all.
One last comment – look what I found. The ‘lump’ you feel after the surgery is perfectly normal – it’s called a ‘healing ridge’. I wish Doctors would tell us more! This should put some minds at ease!
The HEALING RIDGE, which is a normal occurring event, is a term used to describe the area of swelling and hardness beneath the incision after hernia repair surgery. This area of temporary swelling normally occurs and is progressive in extent for about 3-4 days after surgery. It may harden somewhat, feeling like a roll of quarters or even a small ‘cucumber’ beneath the skin in the region. It remains virtually unchanged for 2-3 weeks after which it gradually softens and flattens (taking an additional 2-3 weeks to complete on average). The size and duration of the ‘ridge’ is related to the size and complexity of the hernia itself. The ridge is caused by local tissue swelling and inflammation around the implanted mesh as it ‘heals’ into the surrounding muscle. It is not, per se, a complication, but is part of the normal process.
I am now 2 weeks post-surgery and feel pretty darn good. I have the ‘healing ridge’ but I have reached that point when I am not thinking about the surgery anymore = yeah!
Thanks so much Moya for this post. There are obviously a ton of us getting belly button hernia repairs that don’t know what to expect etc.
Hi All
Fascinating reading… I am just back from hospital 2 hours ago from having umbilical hernia repair .. open surgery with general anaesthetic..at 2 pm today. Still bandaged up and given 2 slow release extra strength Ibuprofen. Can take these plus Co-codamol fro tomorrow. Feel so much better than I had expected. Maybe it’s early days yet based on other posts !!! I have Type II diabetes so supposed to be more difficult to heal.
Will let you know in a few days about lumps, scars, pain. Hoping to avoid constipation …I already take Xenical..and just had a fish supper . Intend to take it easy for next 4 days, just some light walking. Target is to get back to my desk by Wednesday, but Jan will take me to work eavey day for 2 weeks..she has been itching to get my car !!!!
Like the idea of Apple juice and warm water with lemon and losing 10lbs!! Watch this space.
Finally many thanks to Mr James Adjogatse…..good job :-)
Good on you, RAY! As I recall, the immediate post-surgery haze was fine – dare I say delightful, but the night and day after that were a bit painful. Hope you slept fine and make it just as swimmingly through the next couple days and then are home free.
I think the most common experiences we’ve shared here post-surgery are strange pulling feelings, ‘stitching’ feelings, and hard ridges in the several weeks following the repair. These seem normally to be expected. But your doctors are your best double-checks for anything strange. Don’t know about that 10 pounds though Ray :)
Take care and do come back and give us an update!
What a relief to find this page. I am a 50 year old male, had a mesh repair umbilical hernia op 16 days ago and all did not go smoothly.
After 5 days I gave myself an enema despite the use of Colace. My incision became infected and required a heavy course of antibiotics which delayed healing, The surgeon has been good, called me back when I called about what I thought was infection and saw me the next day. There was also bloody serous discharge from the navel. However now that the infection is gone, yay. I have been fixating on the hard inverted horseshoe ridge above my navel. It sure feels thick and of course I have worried that it is yet another complication. Glad to read that this is not uncommon. It is painful, more so as the day goes on. I am no where near ready to return to work, but can walk and shop and sit and take care of things. There is some distention of my whole belly but nothing like the first 5 days when I too was sure that my stomach was going to POP.
I was told that mesh might be required pre-surgery, and was not happy that it was used. I worry that my body is not accepting all this foreign material and that this is the source of the pain and pressure. I too felt the tugging inside but that at least is getting better. I really appreciate this blog. I am not an hysteric, but do have autoimmune issues and was concerned about this procedure. I did it because my hernia was getting larger over the last two years, my GP said it was time. I am about 20 lbs. overweight, but umbilical hernias are largely
the result of congenital defects I have been told.
Good luck to everyone here, and thanks for this blog. Very helpful for my worries today. I am still on small amount of Percocet and my GP told me yesterday to begin warm salt water compresses, for 10 minutes, 3 x a day. I suspect my situation is not the norm, but still have hope of full recovery. My navel looks scabby but cute.
Hi Tom — that’s terrible about the infection — and does Colace really do anything for anybody?? But the upside is your cute new navel :)
I also remember worrying about my body rejecting ‘foreign’ material and though I didn’t have mesh, I understand it’s some sort of dacron material for the internal sutures and that this all eventually just ‘becomes one’ with the muscle. I don’t know that the pulling and tugging is a result of that itself or just basically ‘normal’ muscle healing. The bottom line is that the pulling/tugging/assimilation was eventually all complete. Hopefully soon for you too.
I hope to be one with the dacron some day too. Nice of you to reply. I will see the surgeon tomorrow, he likes to keep an eye on his work and complications, which is good news for me. Of all the obsessive internet searches I did during the worst of this infection etc, your small posts have been the most sane and helpful. I will update my progress as I expect there to be some. This is Canadian Healthcare by the way. A little foreign material :) Thanks. Good healing to all.
Update: I saw my surgeon on Tuesday, 19 days post surgery. He takes a very focused look and says it looks very good and that nothing bad should happen now. I ask about the lack of contour that has developed in the navel, a pushing forward sort of, he looks closer and says, “well, you’re a bit degraded.” I said, “Oh you don’t know the half of it.” Groan if you like, but this happened.
I asked about the hard ridge, and he said that is where my repair is, and the internal sutures. Even though I had mesh, he also sewed the muscles over it. It is called a vest over pants repair although probably not in med school :) So my repair should be strong, though it is still lumpy. The doctor also said what I am coming to realize, that it will not be fully healed in appearance for six months, but that the ridge should flatten and soften and the navel sink back in a bit. Cosmetics. I am feeling stronger and in no pain at 3 weeks. I did have the infection and was worried about the lumps, but Moya and the other posters,along with a really great and communicative surgeon have helped me through the worst of it. I was walking happily down the street post appointment, when a woman comes barreling around a corner and crashes full on into my stomach. NO JOKE. Hard and with force. I won’t even bore y’all. I decided that after 3 weeks it was definitely time for a drink. I iced my belly while i was at it. Four days later and it still hurts a bit. I am a bit concerned but no way was I calling the surgeon back. Vest over pants is hopefully going to protect me. Complications. How do women get through pregnancy and it’s after effects without being nervous wrecks? Thanks Moya.
Good to hear back from you, Mr Canada. I hope it was a good, stiff drink. It sounds like you’re well on the way past the worst, people ramming into you notwithstanding. And I frankly don’t know how anyone gets through pregnancy and childbirth, even though I did both. It feels like it was an out-of-body experience… take care.
Hi everyone, it is such a relief to find this blog. I am post op 4 days umbilical hernia repair. I am still in pain from the incision as well as severe gas traveling to my back and shoulders. I too am bloated, feeling 6 months pregnant, and constipated despite colace. I am also bruised all around the incision. I’m not sure if mesh was used because the surgeon never mentioned it so I assume not but you never know. I have a follow up in 2 weeks to remove the staples. I’m hoping there are no complications. I am so relieved to know that others have had similar experiences. Thank you all.
Hello! I was very bruised after mine too – also looked and felt 6 months prego…I am not a doctor but see my post above re: getting your system moving..,I have had 5 abdominal surgeries and my method has always worked to get the bowels moving! I am now 3 weeks post opp and I still have the ‘healing ridge’ right on/above the incision site. My surgeon said normal and can take months to go away! Speedy recoveries to all !
I definitely have that ‘healing ridge’ too and it is so bothersome. I can feel it’s there even without pressing on it especially when I am standing. I think that’s the only issue I have now 8 days post op, besides my belly button looking non-existent.
Hi, it is some what reassuring to read every ones experiences. I had an umbilical repair without mesh in July last year, here in the UK. Unfortunately after only 9 weeks post op, the umbilical hernia burst out again…in three places. I was only lightly trimming a bush in the garden, for the first time since the surgery. Until then I’d recovered very quickly post op and felt great.
I’ve avoided having the hernia repaired until now, as I’ve no confidence in how long the next repair will last. However, I saw a different surgeon a few days ago and he says when they operate they will use mesh this time but he is going to do a CT scan with contrast first, to see what exactly’s going on. I’m not sure about the CT scan with contrast as some people react badly to the solutions used and I’m worried about the mesh too as lots of people seem to have problems with that. The surgeon said fluid can build up around the mesh and when this happens it needs to be removed by syringe. He warned that due to being slim the mesh could appear ‘lumpy’. At this point, I don’t know what to think. Has anyone else had two repairs and if so did you have mesh the second time? Can it be repaired well without ?
I read some of you had problems ‘in the bathroom’ post op. I’d like to recommend the use of Epsom Salt for anyone who may have this problem. ‘Google’ Epsom Salt for further information.
I wish you all the very best of health.
I had umbilical hernia 2011,my second week of following check up i had a little rash and my wound was still healing the Dr.said it will be okay it will heal by its self…In 2012 Im back to work in heavy lifting,ive been having pain,discomfort,bloating,bowelments,drinking water ,eating i can feel little cramps ,thrs days i get strong pains.I feel preasure,it hurts whn i set,or driving,lifiting and leaning on the counter when im at work ringing customers.im on disability they been ingnoring my calls,they want to settle and i dont want to!! I need help !!ever.since my surgery ive been having these complications!!
Hi its me again i forgot to mention iam going on 2 yrs with this!!Thrs pepole tell me that i might have an infection ,or they have to remove the mesh!!Any advive anyone???
Hi Patty, it does sound as if you have another hernia. Mine too hurts when sitting, leaning on something, hurts to touch and just hurts on its own. I’m having a CT scan with resonance next Thursday to see what exactly is going on. Maybe that would help you to understand what’s going on better too. It may also be worth seeing another doctor for a second opinion.
I hope you will find the help you need soon. Best of luck. Nina
Hi, Thank goodness for google. :) otherwise I never would have found your blog :) I am 6 days out from my umbilical hernia surgery…..May 7th as a matter of fact. I’m what you might call an “impatient patient” and have been wondering if everything my body is going thru is what we could consider normal. After reading your story here I feel much better…..I had my son via c-section back in 2007 and for the last few years I have noticed a small bump above my belly button but it never bothered me until the Friday before my surgery when I experienced massive pain all along my mid-section and then my tiny little bumb grew….and then shrunk a bit……and then grew again….ahhh the joy…..well since the surgeryI have been having some pain (not one for pain killers but will take them when absolutely necessary) and I realize that there will be a hard bump as some of you have explained….it seemed like everything I had read before said it should be under the incision and since I had one right thru the belly button mine is above, and if I remember correctly my surgeon said I would feel it above. Well either way I could go on and on of course but I really just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience as so far it has settled what some might call my neurosis regardig the matter :) Take care!!
Hi Tina, I can relate to your neurosis because that is how I felt the first week. I’m almost three weeks post op and I feel much better. I have no pain unless I sneeze. At my two week follow up the surgeon said the lump is scar tissue which should get smaller in time but I may always feel something there. The only complaint I have now is how non-existent and deformed by belly button looks. The surgeon reassured that it will look better in time. I guess a two piece is out of the question this summer but I guess that’s the least of it. Take it easy :)
Monique
I’m so impressed by the generosity of sharing on this post! Thank you all — and remember to come back and post your updates as things improve – as they will.
For me it’s now almost exactly one year since my surgery. I can see the scar on the lower-edge of my bellybutton, but other than that you’d never even know anything happened. I work out as hard as ever and don’t even feel that funny twinge that was there several weeks/months after surgery. It’s like it never happens – and since it’s one year post-op hopefully it will stay that way.
For those who have had to have multiple repairs — it seems like that does happen, and hope you are also stronger than ever when all is done.
Thanks again.
Thank you Monique, I appreciate it no 2 piece for me either :) and thank you again Moya for sharing your experience
Hi,
Thanks so much to those who have posted. It has been reassuring reading them. For those who are not doing well, I hope things get better for you quickly.
My quick story is that I discovered an umbilical hernia on Thursday, May 17th, went to Emerg. and on Friday morning the 18th, had the operation…very lucky to have had the operation performed so quickly. I didn’t feel the need for any pain medication after the operation, again very lucky. I was told that my hernia was quite small. It was repaired without mesh.
I’m back at work today. There is a bit of discomfort, I’m sure from around the incision, but things are returning to normal down there.
As I’ve always been quite active I am hopeful that I wil be able to return to favourite activities. The posts here have made me hopeful that I wil be able to.
One last note…I have asked people since my hernia event whether they had ever felt the area of their navel as vulnerable. The answer has been that they haven’t. I have always felt a bit of a sensitivity at this area so maybe it was just a matter of time – I’m now 57, before this happened. I’m now thinking I’ll lose a bit of the middle in case this helps to prevent a possible recurrence.
Hi Dave — sounds like your recovery is on the easy side! Hope that’s true and that it stays that way.
An update for all: my trainer, to whom I owe a great deal of muscle and motivation, just coincidentally endured inguinal hernia repair surgery. She shares a lot of her experience too, so head over to check out her blog here: http://bodybystephanie.com/blog/2013/5/17/inguinal-hernia-repair
thanks,
-m
Dave and all, please be a bit careful for a few weeks. I don’t have a horror story but I certainly do not have a fully healed incision after 7 weeks. My surgeon cauterized it two weeks ago, said that I could do anything I want to now, to cover it with a bandage and forget about it. He is more concerned with the internal repair, naturally, which seems to have gone well. My muscles can feel a bit worked out somedays, but I haven’t been working out! This is a great blog spot and Moya has set a lovely tone. I live in Toronto and could have gone to the Shouldice Clinic, pretty renowned for hernia surgeries without mesh, but I did not want to stay in hospital for three days. In hindsight this was probably shortsighted and dumb. Ha. I have a great surgeon and did have mesh, but the upside of that is that the chance of the hernia recurring is much less. The “I did not require mesh” gets to sound kind of like war stories, but I think the mesh has caused me some complications that I can never be sure of. Who knows? I feel much better and when my incision ever fully heals, I will return to swimming and yoga, which are kind of my thing. My belly is flat, I too have lost 10 lbs, and all other systems are go. But it was not a two week recovery for me. The “healing ridge” is dacron sutures y’all. My body does not like them, but they are getting familiar with one another. Good luck to all and thanks for your posts. TB.
I am pretty much recovered…had my surgery on April 4th…the healing ridge is still there and slowly going away…BUT…I seem to have a small lump (tiny tip of a Q-tip head size) INSIDE my belly button – just to the right. It doesn’t really hurt but is slightly sensitive to the touch. * sigh * …I have no idea what this is and figure I will wait another month and if it’s still there go back to my surgeon and get it checked. Feeling a little bit frustrated to be honest. I noticed the tiny lump about a month after surgery…I am 7 weeks now. My 2 week follow up appointment went without incident but I was so swollen that you couldn’t get your finger into my belly button to find the lump. Could have been there at 2 weeks…don’t know. Could be scar tissue? Pretty sure it’s not another hernia back as I didn’t have a hard tiny lump as my hernia pre-surgery…will keep you posted…especially if I go back to the surgeon in a month! Love this thread…thanks for listening y’all….
I had my surgery on May 17. I am wondering about a “measles” looking rash over my mid-section. Slightly itchy. I thought it was caused by a new body powder I used, but I stopped it and it is still there. What about those of you that had hives and/or rash? Did it go away on its own? How long did before it left? Thanks so much.