umbilical hernia advice need

[dingg]

Woke up the other morning with a dull ache across my midriff , and pain near my belly button , in fact inside the hole was a protrusion of about a cm which was quite painful and could be pushed back where it belonged with a gentle prod.

Now the ache has gone but the hernia pops in and out at will - its only small .

I am away from home but what's the opinions here - just leave well alone and ignore, don't bother my GP with it and just live with it , or get it surgically repaired ASAP .

I'm in BUPA through work (compulsory benefit) and can get it sorted by them at my convenience.

cheers


ETA - how long would I be in hospital & how long off work?

Edited by dingg on Saturday 9th March 15:54

[Hoofy]

:-/ I'd get it fixed. That or a gaffer tape lifetime subscription.

[Phil Dicky]

Just had mine done...and the advice to me was get it done sooner as it will only get worse....my op was a piece of cake, had it on Tuesday and pretty much okay now....should be back training next wee if things carry on like this

[_bryan_]

I had one done just before Christmas. Because its a small area there is risk of strangulation, and therefore needs to be fixed ASAP, consultant's words not mine.

I took a month off work, but I was ok with light duties (such as picking the kids up) after a couple of weeks. Weight training however I followed the docs advice of 6 to 8 weeks before any heavy lifting.

15 weeks now and only occasionally feel a light twinge.

[ben5732]

Different kind of hernia myself but I left it for a few years over time it got larger and larger, would of been keyhole surgery had I of not waited but had to have open surgery and signed off work for 2 months. I'd say finish whatever you need to do but then make sure you get it sorted sooner rather than later or it will just get worse.

[Gareth1974]

Had mine (also an umbilical) operated on a year ago, the op wasn't too bad, painful for the first few days, but got signed off work for 3 weeks, and the second 2 weeks felt like being on holiday.
The consultant said it wasn't essential I had the op, he say I could "take it easy" instead - but I'm in my thirties, and didn't want to take it easy for the rest of my life.

[dingg]

Looking likely I will plan it for a couple of weeks off in the summer then

thanks all

[74merc]

I had an inguinal hernia repair last September and concur that 2 weeks is sufficient for recovery. However due to the risk of strangulation, I would not be putting off surgery. Go see your GP, get a referral to the consultant and let them make the decision when it should be done.