Umbilical hernia?

[john_phillips]

Has anyone had one of these as an adult? Does surgery permanently repair it or will it "pop" once you start lifting heavy weights again? Your story/input greatly appreciated.
thanks,
JaPe

[bigkb]

Yep, I have one bro. I had it repaired about 2 years ago. The operation was a breeze (only took an hour), and so was the recovery... but only for the umbilical one. I actually had 2 repaired at the same time, an umbilical and a groin hernia (I forgot the medical term for that one).

There was very little pain with the recovery of the umbilical, none as long as I was lying still though. But the groin hernia hurt like hell (understatement) for about a week.

The total recovery time as far as being able to get back in the gym was about 2 weeks for me. Although my surgeon recommended about a month. But you know how we are when it comes to wanting to get back to training, the sooner the better.

I have had no trouble at all with the groin hernia popping back out, but the umbilical hernia popped back out only about a month after I was back in the gym. It never hurts, and never did before the operation. I had it for several years and didn't even know what it was. I think mine popped back out because of getting back to heavy leg presses too soon. Because they create alot of inter-abdominal pressure, I assume that's what caused it to pop again.

Anyway bro, if you have it repaired, be sure to go easy on your training for about a month at least. Oh, and about the incision... it's made in the belly button, so there will be no visible scar. Even the incision for the groin one was only about 1/4" long.

I hope this helps ya bro.
KB

[john_phillips]

Originally Posted by bigkb

Yep, I have one bro. I had it repaired about 2 years ago. The operation was a breeze (only took an hour), and so was the recovery... but only for the umbilical one. I actually had 2 repaired at the same time, an umbilical and a groin hernia (I forgot the medical term for that one).

There was very little pain with the recovery of the umbilical, none as long as I was lying still though. But the groin hernia hurt like hell (understatement) for about a week.

The total recovery time as far as being able to get back in the gym was about 2 weeks for me. Although my surgeon recommended about a month. But you know how we are when it comes to wanting to get back to training, the sooner the better.

I have had no trouble at all with the groin hernia popping back out, but the umbilical hernia popped back out only about a month after I was back in the gym. It never hurts, and never did before the operation. I had it for several years and didn't even know what it was. I think mine popped back out because of getting back to heavy leg presses too soon. Because they create alot of inter-abdominal pressure, I assume that's what caused it to pop again.

Anyway bro, if you have it repaired, be sure to go easy on your training for about a month at least. Oh, and about the incision... it's made in the belly button, so there will be no visible scar. Even the incision for the groin one was only about 1/4" long.

I hope this helps ya bro.
KB

Thanks for the info.

So when your doc said to take it easy for 4 weeks, did he/she say that if it healed completely that it would stay fixed? Or is it one of those "injuries" that will re-injure no matter how much time you spend away from lifting heavy?
thanks!

[bigkb]

Originally Posted by john_phillips

Thanks for the info.

So when your doc said to take it easy for 4 weeks, did he/she say that if it healed completely that it would stay fixed? Or is it one of those "injuries" that will re-injure no matter how much time you spend away from lifting heavy?
thanks!

He said that there will always be a possibility that it can pop back out again, especially since I lift weights so much. It's not a guaranteed repair. I know a man who has had his repaired 3 times.

KB

[conan]

my dad just had this proceedure done....he was up and mowing the lawn the next day....but he is a tough guy....

[Biggergriz]

My belly button was always an "inny" now it's an "outy" and seems to be filled with fluid. Is this an umbilical hernia???

[dukebrown99]

i had an ingroinal hernia surgury last oct. I took the 7 weeks off but I still feel a little stretch and discomfort after some lift and I dont do leg presses because it puts too much pressure on the spot. (i squat its fine)

[bigkb]

Originally Posted by Biggergriz

My belly button was always an "inny" now it's an "outy" and seems to be filled with fluid. Is this an umbilical hernia???

It's very likely that it is. Go to have it checked by a doctor. The longer you let this type of hernia go, the more likely it is to become what they call "strangulated", which basically means that a section of the intestines have come through the opening in the abdominal wall to the point that it is "strangling" them which can damage them. That can be a serious thing.

KB

[ramboj70]

Originally Posted by bigkb

It's very likely that it is. Go to have it checked by a doctor. The longer you let this type of hernia go, the more likely it is to become what they call "strangulated", which basically means that a section of the intestines have come through the opening in the abdominal wall to the point that it is "strangling" them which can damage them. That can be a serious thing.

KB

I have had 5 hernia operations and they suck, have the doctor put a mesh in so it wont pop back out, I got 2 mesh's in one on each side. good luck

[Nico Cujo]

I've had three umbilical hernia repairs. The first two didn't hold. For the third procedure, the doc installed the mesh. That was 15 years ago and I haven't popped another one yet. I was out of the gym for 2 weeks, but didn't do legs for 4 weeks, that's when the doc released me. He couldn't believe I had healed that fast (amazing what a little test can do to speed recovery). And heavy leg presses DO create abnormal abdominal pressure, so be sure to not do those following surgery for at least 6 weeks.