When I was pregnant with my son, I carried right out in front, and got really big. As a result, I developed a hernia in my belly button. My doctor noticed it after my son was born, but said it wasn't serious enough to require surgery unless I wanted to. I don't like the idea of elective surgery, so I said no, and have just lived with it. It doesn't hurt; it is just unsighlty. Well, I have been dieting, and as I lose weight, it has become more noticeable, and it is really ugly. Also, I have this "pooch" that won't seem to get any smaller--is that part of the hernia?
Do any of you ladies have experience with this? I would love to hear about people who have had something like this, and if they have had it fixed or not. I am just wondering if I should go ahead and have it operated on. Is it worth it?
I am not sure if the Pooch is because of the hernia or not but I would bet it has more to do with weight loss and the stretching of the belly during pregnancy, I don't get very big when I am pregnant and tend to carry more of the baby inside but with each one of my kids the pooch would get "poochier" so maybe it was a good thing I don't get very big :). If you are really concerned then ask you DR.
The hernia is just a tiny hole in your ab wall. It would not show up as lose skin or a little extra outside the muscles on your belly. You can probably feel where the hernia is because it's a lot closer to your abs than your skin. If it's on top of your muscles as your flex, it's excess skin and (sorry) fat.
I also have a hernia and the doctor said it can take a year or two for those muscles to completely return to normal, so he doesn't recommend surgery until after that point, but that insurance almost always covers a hernia. The pooch does sound more just like baby pooch, but it might not hurt ot have a surgical consultation and see what a surgeon says about what they could do for it.
Dear J.,
I too have a "pooch". Yes it's unsightly, but I'm not in the habit of showing my belly button to anyone either!
I got an umbilicus hernia with my 4th pregnancy due to a bad bout with asthma and coughing fits. I had 5 more pregnancies with little trouble. I still may have surgery later, but since it doesn't hurt I just don't want to have surgery unless I have to!
One of my friends had surgery- She waited for years but was glad afterwards. She is the only person I know without a belly button!
Another friend had her hernia removed due to the pain she was having in her abdomen- I think she lifted something heavy which made it worse. I haven't asked whether or not she kept her belly button!
Unless it's a problem, I think it's just a personal preference.
Best to you in your decision.
H. B.
THe pooch is not from your hernia. It will take time to get that back to normal and it might never go back to normal. My mom had to have hers tucked to get back to normal. My sister has a herniated belly button as well from her second child and the doctor wanted to do surgery, but she wanted to wait. Well she now has a four month old(her third) and it is actually better than it was prior to having her. She does say the same though that it does get uglier the thinner she gets. She is planning on getting hers fixed next year, since she has had it for four years now. Surgery is surgery so it's entirely your decision if it would make you feel better or not or if it is really that important to you to have fixed.
