Umbilical hernia repair questions

Digestive health
1

I have a small umbilical hernia. Has anyone opted to just watch and wait rather than have surgery?

I am considering having it repaired at a location where they don't use mesh.

Thanks.

Rich

2

Don't wait as they only get bigger.I had one repaired 2 years ago,open surgery no mesh and it was fine.In 4 weeks i am having an epigastric one repaired with a mesh.

3

I had an umbilical hernia for years before it hurt. I should have taken care of it right away though. 

4

Where did you have the no mesh surgery done?

5

Why do you think you should have taken care of it right away?

6

Guildford,Surrey.

7

Did they not use mesh because the hernia was very small, or was it because they were using an alternative treatment style (like Shouldice)?

8

oh, the moderator just grabbed my reply. Here it is again, slightly altered. Did they not use mesh because the hear it was very small, or because they were using an alternative treatment style?

 

9

autocorrect strikes again! That should have read “because the hernia was very small”

10

I can't remember but with my next one i will have mesh as i got told that if you don't hernias normally come back.The mesh gives more support.

11

I read several posts on this forum from folks who had bad experiences with mesh repair.

12

Yeah, don't do mesh. Ruined my life for 3 years until I had it removed. 

13

Because it's better to do it before it really hurts. 

14

Do we know if it always gets worse?

15

Thanks for your reply. That's certainly what I'm concerned about.

16

I've had an umbilical hernia and an inguinal hernIa. First I got the inguinal hernia that I pretty much ignored for 12 years. It didn't cause much pain, but apparently it got big enough for bladder to slide through, which complicated everything about its repair. About 4 months after it was fixed, I got an umbilical hernia. This time I didn't wait at all for getting it fixed. At first they planned to put a mesh in it, but when they cut into it, it was still small enough, that they changed their mind about that. I think I've learned that putting it off, might not be a good idea. Good luck with it Rich.

17

Hi I have had an umbilical hernia for years. Doctors never suggested operation and I just thought I could get away with living a long life without much bother. Lately I have had some pain, I went to a surgeon and had a colonoscopy scan.... nothing untoward and so the surgeon said I should not operate. I have a heart condition and he feels operating will be a bit dangerous. Lately I have had horrendous pain. went to A&E and they said its not strangulated and so i should go home and use ice packs. I still have very bad pain, any suggestions please.