Umbilical hernia in adults: should I have surgery? That’s a question with several answers due to the options you have available to you. It’s a little confusing, and there are factors to consider. Keep reading and find out the choices you have.
General Facts About Hernias
Hernias do not go away on their own. Some hernias stay small and never produce noticeable symptoms. With an asymptomatic hernia, sometimes Michigan Hernia Surgery will watch and wait before recommending surgery. As long as the hernia remains small, you might not need to undergo surgery.
If the hernia grows larger and you begin to have uncomfortable symptoms, it may be time to have it repaired.
Umbilical Hernias
This is a hernia that develops at the area of your belly button. You can have one from birth if your umbilical cord did not close properly. It can become a problem while you are a child, or you may not have symptoms until you reach adulthood.
A weak spot in your stomach muscles can allow the hernia to bulge out filled with fat, intestine and even fluid. Once you have symptoms and discomfort, it is time to discuss a repair with Michigan Hernia Surgery in Royal Oak, MI.
It is better to have umbilical hernia repaired before it becomes strangulated or incarcerated. In this case, a part of the intestine gets trapped in the hernia and the blood supply is cut off.
This is quite dangerous and can become life threatening.
Two Types of Umbilical Hernia Surgery
There are two ways to repair an umbilical hernia.
- Open repair calls for one large incision near the navel to make the repair. Although this type of surgery takes up to 4 weeks before the patient can return to normal activities, open hernia repair has been used for many years with great success.
- The other type is a laparoscopic repair. This is performed by making a few tiny incisions in the abdomen. One is used to send a lighted camera into the area and other incisions or ports are used for the instruments. There seems to be less pain after laparoscopic surgery and the recovery is faster.
The Decision
To have or not to have umbilical surgery should be based on Michigan Hernia Surgery’s recommendation and the status of your hernia. If it’s hurting, interfering with activities, bulging and you’re not able to push it back in, the answer is yes. If it is not hurting or giving you any problems, the common decision is to “watch and wait.”
If you have additional questions and concerns about an umbilical hernia as an adult, contact Michigan Hernia Surgery at 248.551.9090 for an evaluation.
